Kalshi hits record June trading volume as World Cup fuels prediction markets
Kalshi posted a record June with nearly $9.4 billion in trading volume, up from about $5.3 billion in May, while Polymarket International rose to about $4.3 billion from $3.5 billion. The surge was driven largely by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began June 11 and has become the biggest catalyst for prediction-market trading. Knockout matches are drawing especially heavy activity, including major volume on Canada’s and the U.S. round-of-16 markets. The trading boom comes amid escalating U.S. legal and regulatory fights over prediction markets. Several states have challenged Kalshi and Polymarket, while federal regulators argue the markets fall under CFTC authority. Industry opponents, including casino operators, tribal groups and labor organizations, are pushing Congress to move sports-event contracts under state gambling laws. Europe is taking a more restrictive stance, with ESMA warning that many event contracts may already be covered by binary-options rules.
