5 Reasons Prediction Markets Market Volume Reaches a New Record of $12 Billion in 2026

Jakarta, Pintu News – The blockchain-based prediction markets are growing fast, setting a weekly record of over $12 billion in trading volume earlier in 2026. This phenomenon marks the transition from a formerly niche market to one that is increasingly being widely adopted by traders and investors. For crypto market participants and lay users alike, this trend reflects a new evolution in how to predict future events using Web3 technologies.

1. Prediction Markets: What and How They Work

Prediction markets are blockchain-based trading platforms that allow users to “bet” on the outcome of an event in the future. These events can include political, sports, economic, and even cryptocurrency-related outcomes. These transactions operate with tokens or stablecoins on a decentralized network, so trading activity is transparently recorded on the blockchain.

In this platform, participants buy contracts whose value depends on the likelihood of the predicted outcome. If an outcome occurs, the contract is worth its full value; otherwise, its value drops to zero. With this mechanism, the market reflects a “consensus” on the likelihood of the event occurring, while providing a means of speculation and hedging at the same time.

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2. New Record: Weekly Trading Volume Reaches $12 Billion

According to Dune Analytics, prediction markets reached a record weekly trading volume of more than $12 billion, marking a remarkable surge over the previous volume of around $3.5 billion.

This growth occurred at the end of January 2026, when trading on various platforms competed with each other for the most liquidity. These record volumes show that the market is no longer small or experimental, but is starting to become a mainstream part of the digital finance ecosystem.

3. Platforms Leading Volume Growth

Several platforms play a key role in this explosion of trading volumes. Kalshi, a regulated prediction market in the United States, leads weekly activity with over $1 billion in volume.

In addition, platforms such as Myriad, Limitless, Polymarket and Opinion also recorded volumes above $1 billion in the same period. The role of these platforms shows the diversification of the prediction market ecosystem, which is now not just dominated by one or two players.

4. Drivers of Rapid Adoption

Several factors are driving the rapid adoption of prediction markets: first, the growing demand for a means of speculative expression of future events beyond traditional instruments. Traders see prediction markets as a way to monetize their views on the outcome of sports, political, or economic events.

Secondly, blockchain-based platforms offer greater liquidity and transparency through on-chain mechanisms, allowing global users to trade continuously without time or location restrictions.

5. Regulatory Challenges and the Future of the Market

The rapid growth has also attracted the attention of regulators, particularly in the United States, where the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has begun to review and develop a regulatory framework for prediction markets.

Clearer regulation can provide legal certainty and encourage institutional participation, but it also creates new restrictions that platforms and traders need to be aware of. This regulatory debate is important because it concerns how prediction contracts are legally treated compared to gambling or derivatives.

6. Implications for Crypto Players and New Traders

For cryptocurrency investors and traders, the growth of prediction markets offers a new alternative to uncovering risk views in addition to spot and futures trading. Volumes reaching $12 billion signify greater liquidity and opportunities for diversification of investment strategies.

However, this market also carries high risk due to the speculative nature of the contracts and relies on real events that are often difficult to predict. Novice traders are advised to understand the fundamentals of prediction markets before getting actively involved.

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*Disclaimer

This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Crypto trading activities are subject to high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold hard cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling Bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

Reference

• Nicholas Otieno/BlockchainReporter. Prediction Markets Gain Traction as Trading Volume Hits New $12 Billion AHT Amid Mainstream Adoption. Accessed February 10, 2026.