Polymarket’s parent company, Blockratize Inc., has filed trademark applications for “POLY” and “$POLY” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Polymarket is preparing to launch its own native token, likely called $POLY.Key details from reports: The filings cover categories such as downloadable software for blockchain-based prediction markets, financial services involving virtual currency, cryptocurrency services, financial trading platforms, blockchain-based payment systems, and digital currency for online community members.
Trademark experts note that such applications often precede product or token launches by 6–18 months, building on earlier hints. This comes amid ongoing speculation about a $POLY token: Polymarket’s CMO previously confirmed plans for a token and airdrop back in late 2025 tied to utility, governance, or rewards, after prioritizing the U.S. platform relaunch.
Prediction markets ironically on platforms like Polymarket itself show the probability of a token launch by the end of 2026 rising sharply to around 70.8% following this news. Polymarket currently has no native token—trading and rewards use USDC—and the platform has warned against scams claiming airdrops.
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The move fuels excitement in the crypto community, given Polymarket’s massive volume often $2–3B+ monthly as the leading decentralized prediction market. A token could enable features like fee mechanisms, governance, revenue sharing, or incentives for users.
This isn’t a launch—it’s brand protection—but it’s widely seen as one of the strongest signals yet that $POLY is coming, especially since Polymarket executives have previously confirmed token and airdrop plans prioritized after U.S. relaunch and regulatory milestones.
Community sentiment and prediction markets have reacted sharply: odds of a Polymarket token by December 31, 2026, jumped to around 70.8% per aggregated prediction data post-filing. Earlier speculation pegged it for 2026 anyway, but this filing accelerates conviction—trademark-to-launch timelines in crypto often span 6–18 months, pointing to potential mid-to-late 2026.
If/when launched, $POLY would likely add real utility beyond pure speculation: Governance — Voting on platform features, market resolutions, or upgrades. Staking for fee shares, liquidity provision, or user airdrops/farming rewards especially for high-volume traders.
Possible revenue sharing or reduced fees for holders. Token for online members, aligning with the filing’s “virtual currency for use by members of an online community.”
This could drive even more volume; Polymarket already handles billions monthly by rewarding loyalty and turning users into stakeholders. A successful $POLY could position Polymarket among top crypto projects—some speculate massive FDV potential.
It would formalize incentives in the decentralized prediction space, potentially attracting more institutional/serious users. However, hype could lead to short-term pumps in related assets or copycat plays, but actual value depends on tokenomics, airdrop fairness, and execution.
Polymarket faces ongoing scrutiny, past CFTC-related penalties around $1.4M for U.S. access issues, though they’ve since relaunched U.S. operations compliantly via QCX LLC. Trademarking strengthens IP protection amid legal battles and helps build a “regulated moat.” Partnerships show focus on compliance and infrastructure first—token launch would likely follow similar careful sequencing to avoid SEC/CFTC pitfalls.
No whitepaper or tokenomics details yet; expect those before any TGE. If an airdrop/retrodrop is in play as hinted before, ramping volume now could position users well—though nothing is guaranteed, and Polymarket warns against scam airdrop claims.
This is still speculative. Filings are defensive/optional; delays or pivots happen. Watch official Polymarket channels for announcements. Overall, this shifts $POLY from “maybe someday” to “probably this year”—a bullish catalyst for the platform’s growth in DeFi/prediction markets. The next big moves: official confirmation, token design reveal, or regulatory green lights.