General information, not financial, investment, legal, tax or betting advice · Prediction markets carry risk of loss · 18+ or the legal age in your region
The Index 100/Platforms/Kalshi
Platform profileRank 01 of The Index 100

Kalshi

The most straightforwardly regulated venue we cover, and the easiest to recommend to a careful reader — if you're trading from the US.

Last reviewed
23 June 2026
Facts as of
June 2026
Headquarters
New York, USA
The Index 100 score
91/100
Illustrative editorial example
The scorecard

100 points, split five ways.

Each platform is scored against the same five-part rubric, weighted toward regulation and reliable payouts. Scores are illustrative editorial judgments, not investment advice.

See the full weighting →

Regulation & trust28/30

CFTC-overseen designated contract market with member funds in segregated accounts. The clearest standing in the set.

Market selection & liquidity22/25

Strong breadth across economics, politics and weather; liquidity good on headline markets, thinner on the long tail.

Fees & costs17/20

Per-contract fees scaled to price are transparent but not the cheapest; no deposit fee on standard methods.

Usability & experience14/15

Clean onboarding and clear settlement terms make it hard to misunderstand what you are buying.

Payouts & support10/10

Reliable, timely settlement and responsive support, the strongest corner of the card.

Key facts

What you're actually dealing with.

Regulatory status
CFTC-regulated designated contract market (DCM) under US federal oversight.
as of Jun 2026
Custody of funds
Customer funds in segregated accounts; balances settle in US dollars.
as of Jun 2026
Fees
Per-contract trading fee scaled to price; no deposit fee on standard methods.
as of Jun 2026
Market categories
Economics, elections, weather, financial indicators and selected sports where permitted.
as of Jun 2026
Eligibility
US-based users meeting age and identity verification (18+ or your state's legal age).
as of Jun 2026
Outside the US
Not generally offered to users based outside the United States.
as of Jun 2026
Funding

Getting money in.

ACH bank transferNo fee · same to a few business days
Debit cardFast funding · card terms may apply
Wire transferFor larger amounts · bank fees may apply
Withdrawal

Getting it back out.

ACH to bankNo platform fee · 1-3 business days typical
WireFaster for large sums · bank fees may apply
VerificationIdentity checks may apply before first payout

Funding and fee details as of June 2026 and illustrative. Verify current terms with the platform before depositing.

What readers tell us

Useful, not uncritical.

4.6
Avg · 3 illustrative notes
★★★★★

The one I point newcomers to. I always know who regulates it and withdrawals are boringly reliable.

Illustrative reader, economics markets
★★★★☆

Fees add up if you trade often and the menu is narrower than offshore venues, but I trust it.

Illustrative reader, US-based
★★★★☆

Settlement rules are spelled out clearly, so I rarely misunderstand what I bought.

Illustrative reader, politics markets

Reviews are illustrative editorial examples, not verified customer testimony.

Availability

Is Kalshi open to you?

Kalshi is available to verified US-based users. Eligibility still depends on your age and state rules, which can change.

We don't earn from platforms and don't provide sign-up or affiliate links. Where a platform is available to you, open an account directly through its own website, and only after you've read the rules and your eligibility.

Available to you

Availability as of June 2026 · illustrative

A note on risk —

A clear regulator does not make a platform safe to over-trade. Prediction markets can lose you money; trade only what you can afford to lose, never to chase losses, and never on borrowed money. If it stops feeling like a choice, step back. In the US call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org.

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