Prediction Markets Hit $240B as Retail Users Drive Growth

A report from Bitget and Polymarket reveals that prediction markets are evolving into a $240 billion industry, with retail users driving growth through more frequent trading across crypto and politics.

Market Evolution and Retail Participation

According to the Bitget and Polymarket report, prediction markets are transitioning from a niche activity associated with gambling toward mainstream adoption as a tool for news tracking and information aggregation. The $240 billion industry valuation reflects the scale of this shift, powered primarily by retail traders who are increasing their participation frequency across diverse markets. Trading activity spans multiple sectors, including cryptocurrency and political events, indicating a broadening user base beyond traditional finance participants.

The report’s framing of prediction markets moving away from the “casino” label underscores a rebranding effort within the industry to position these platforms as legitimate information discovery mechanisms rather than speculative gambling venues.