Polymarket's token giveaway connects the world of cryptocurrency with conventional finance

Polymarket, a prominent platform in the prediction market space, is preparing to introduce its own POLY token alongside a much-awaited airdrop, marking a significant step forward for the company. During an appearance on the Degenz Live podcast, Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Modabber revealed these initiatives, stressing that the token’s main focus will be on “real utility, durability, and lasting value” in a

. The airdrop, which is expected to be allocated based on users’ trading activity, may benefit Polymarket’s 1.35 million active participants, with the most active traders likely to receive the largest portions, according to a .

This token debut comes after a $2 billion investment from

(ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, which placed Polymarket’s valuation between $9 billion and $15 billion, as detailed in a . This capital infusion, together with record-breaking trading volumes—$2.9 billion on Polymarket and $1.4 billion on competitor Kalshi in recent months—highlights the increasing interest from institutions in using prediction markets to assess real-world events. Modabber mentioned that the token’s launch is being postponed until the U.S. app is relaunched, following regulatory approval for the platform to resume operations in the United States in late 2025, as reported by Cointelegraph.

Polymarket’s strategy for re-entering the U.S., made possible by acquiring the CFTC-regulated exchange QCX, reflects a wider industry trend toward regulatory adherence. “Why rush the token if our priority is the U.S. app?” Modabber questioned, underlining the company’s commitment to building a compliant legal structure before rolling out token incentives, as Cointelegraph noted. The launch of the U.S. app is anticipated to align with the airdrop, which many in the community believe will follow the model of decentralized exchanges, distributing tokens based on user engagement.

Prediction markets have seen a dramatic rise in activity, especially during the 2024 U.S. elections, with trading volumes up 565% so far this year, according to a

. Polymarket’s expansion has drawn parallels with established financial infrastructure, as ICE’s investment seeks to incorporate its data into the global financial ecosystem, a point emphasized by BeInCrypto. Experts believe the POLY airdrop could be as significant as Uniswap’s $6.4 billion distribution, given Polymarket’s user numbers and trading levels, as referenced in a .

Nonetheless, regulatory barriers remain. Polymarket is still inaccessible in more than 15 countries—including the U.S. (until its 2025 relaunch), the U.K., and Singapore—due to laws governing gambling and derivatives, as listed by

. The company’s approach to overcoming these obstacles—by partnering with sports organizations and licensed exchanges—positions it to reach audiences beyond the crypto sector, as discussed in a .

As the prediction market industry continues to develop, Polymarket’s move toward tokenization could transform both user participation and institutional involvement. With its U.S. relaunch on the horizon and $2 billion in support from Wall Street, the platform is well-placed to connect speculative trading with mainstream financial systems.