Blockchain.com Files for CFTC Licenses to Enter U.S. Prediction Market
- Blockchain.com has applied for two licenses with the CFTC to operate in the U.S. prediction market.
- The company seeks to be designated as a futures exchange and become a registered futures commission merchant.
- Blockchain.com is also preparing for an initial public offering targeting a valuation of $4 billion to $6 billion.
Blockchain.com, a leading digital asset platform, is making strides to participate in the growing U.S. prediction market by filing for two licenses with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The company aims to offer event contracts and cryptocurrency derivatives to both retail and institutional clients in the United States.
To achieve this, Blockchain.com seeks a designated contract market (DCM) license to be classified as a futures exchange. Additionally, they are applying to register as a futures commission merchant (FCM), which would allow them to act as brokers for derivatives contracts.
Peter Smith, CEO and co-founder of Blockchain.com, emphasized the need for users to easily manage their digital assets and trade derivatives. “Users should be able to manage their digital assets, trade derivatives, and take positions on real-world events easily, without jumping between different apps,” he stated. “Our DCM and FCM applications build toward that future in the U.S. through the appropriate regulatory frameworks.”
Earlier this year, Blockchain.com began offering prediction markets via a partnership with Polymarket, along with providing perpetual futures powered by Hyperliquid to its international customers.
The trend of crypto-related firms engaging in prediction markets is on the rise. Notably, exchanges like Crypto.com and Gemini have launched their own event contract marketplaces, while Coinbase primarily partners with Kalshi for such contracts. Furthermore, Kalshi and Polymarket have introduced perpetual futures as popular trading products.
This year, Blockchain.com joins 11 other companies that have applied for DCM licenses, with the CFTC having approved six new DCMs in 2026.
In addition to these regulatory pursuits, Blockchain.com is moving towards a public offering. The company confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission in May and is reportedly aiming for a valuation between $4 billion and $6 billion, as indicated by Bloomberg last month.
Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a commercial relationship that includes customer acquisition and a minority investment.
News Courtesy of CNBC
