Polymarket files for CFTC self-certification of parlay-style bundled sports contracts

Polymarket's US subsidiary, QCX LLC, has submitted a self-certification request to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for a new sports-trading product that combines multiple event outcomes into a single contract, moving the platform beyond single-event markets.

The self-certification request, submitted on May 20, covers a product called Combinatorial Athletic Outcome Contracts. The proposed contracts would allow traders to combine two or more individual sporting event contracts into one position.

Under the structure outlined in the filing, every component must settle successfully for the contract to generate a payout. If one leg fails, the entire position expires worthless, working similarly to traditional-style parlays.

Each contract would carry a nominal value of $1 and could be priced in fractions of a cent. The proposal also includes an early termination mechanism that would allow the exchange to close a position before its scheduled maturity if one of the underlying legs definitively loses value before expiration.

Eligibility rules target insider participation

The filing includes restrictions intended to address concerns related to nonpublic information.

Individuals under 18 years old would not be permitted to trade the contracts. Athletes, coaches, front-office personnel, and team owners connected to the sporting events covered by the contracts would also be prohibited from participating.

The restrictions would extend to immediate family members of those individuals.

Along with the contract filing, Polymarket submitted a Freedom of Information Act request seeking permanent confidential treatment for analytical materials and strategic documents included in the submission.

The company argued that public disclosure of those materials would give competitors access to proprietary methodologies and could affect its market position.

Return to the United States continues

The proposed product arrives while Polymarket works to re-establish operations in the US market following a multiyear absence.

In mid-May, the company began providing access to its US exchange for Apple device users, ending a waitlist period that lasted more than six months. The phased iOS rollout followed Polymarket's acquisition of QCEX, which provided a path to operate under US regulatory oversight.

Polymarket exited the US market after regulatory action tied to unreported derivatives trading activity. In 2022, the company reached a settlement with the CFTC and paid a $1.4 million fine.

Polymarket's return comes after rival prediction market operator Kalshi gained substantial market share during the company's absence. Kalshi controls roughly 90% of the market.

However, interest in Polymarket's return appears substantial. More than 1.4 million users joined the platform's waitlist before access was opened to US iOS users.