Kalshi was founded in 2019 and received CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) designation as a regulated Designated Contract Market (DCM) in 2020 - making it the first legally operating prediction market in the United States.
Getting Started on Kalshi
Kalshi requires a US bank account (ACH) for deposits, a verified identity (SSN or passport), and is available on iOS, Android, and web.
Step 1 - Open an account
Download the Kalshi app or visit kalshi.com. Provide your name, date of birth, and SSN for identity verification required by CFTC rules.
Step 2 - Fund your account
Deposit via ACH bank transfer or debit card. ACH deposits settle in 1–2 business days; debit card deposits are instant.
Step 3 - Find World Cup markets
Browse the Sports category. Kalshi lists winner markets, group qualifiers, and some match-level contracts for the 2026 World Cup.
Step 4 - Buy Yes or No contracts
Each contract costs between $0.01 and $0.99, representing probability. You profit if you are correct at settlement.
Regulation & Safety
As a CFTC-regulated DCM, Kalshi segregates customer funds and is audited. Your USD deposits are held separately from company funds - similar to a brokerage account.
Fees
Kalshi charges a fee on each trade: typically 3% of the notional profit. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees for ACH.
Supported Regions
Kalshi is available to US residents (18+). International expansion is ongoing but limited as of 2026.
Fee
~3% of profit
Liquidity
High
Supported
US residents primarily
Pros
- +Legally CFTC-regulated in the US
- +No cryptocurrency required
- +Clean and intuitive app
- +Segregated customer funds
- +Strong customer support
Cons
- −Lower liquidity vs Polymarket
- −Primarily US-focused
- −Fewer World Cup markets available
- −Trade fees ~3% of profit
Prediction markets involve financial risk. Only participate with money you can afford to lose. This page may contain affiliate links - we may earn a commission if you open an account. Always trade responsibly. 18+.
Markets on this platform