Compliance as a Priority Fuels Polymarket’s U.S. Comeback and Token Strategy

Polymarket, a platform specializing in prediction markets, has announced intentions to introduce its own token and allocate a share of it through an airdrop after its official return to the U.S., according to Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Modabber. The company’s reentry into the American market, made possible by its $112 million purchase of the CFTC-approved derivatives exchange QCX, could take place as soon as October 2, 2025, per a

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During an appearance on the Degenz Live podcast, Modabber clarified that the token launch and airdrop are

immediate objectives. “Our main goal at the moment is to successfully launch in the U.S. and make a significant impact,” he stated, noting that the token rollout will come after the U.S. operations are firmly in place, . The CMO referenced Hyperliquid’s approach to tokenization as an example, commending its emphasis on “genuine utility and lasting value” over fleeting excitement, .

The relaunch in the U.S. represents a significant return for Polymarket, which was effectively forced out of the country in 2022 following a settlement with the CFTC. By acquiring QCX, which obtained a CFTC no-action letter in September, Polymarket has secured the regulatory clearance needed to provide prediction markets to U.S. users within a compliant structure,

. The American version of the platform is currently undergoing testing and is accessible only to selected invitees, .

In addition to the token plans, Polymarket’s valuation has soared this year, hitting $9 billion after a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which owns the New York Stock Exchange,

. This transaction, which established founder Shayne Coplan as the youngest self-made billionaire in the crypto sector, highlights the increasing interest from major institutions in prediction markets as a means to assess sentiment on elections, Federal Reserve actions, and global developments, according to .

There is widespread curiosity about how the token will function. Although Modabber did not reveal specifics, many expect the airdrop to favor users with high trading volumes, similar to the approach taken by decentralized exchanges, as noted in the Coindesk report. Coplan further fueled speculation by mentioning “POLY” alongside leading cryptocurrencies in a cryptic post on X, as reported by CryptoNews.

The U.S. relaunch comes amid a surge in prediction market activity, with Polymarket and competitor Kalshi together reaching $2 billion in trading volume during the week ending October 19, according to Benzinga. As the company puts the finishing touches on its token strategy, Modabber emphasized that regulatory adherence and long-term viability remain top priorities.

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