Cryptocurrency exchanges are increasingly turning their attention to prediction markets in the United States, seeking new business opportunities as a prolonged token market slump weighs on trading activity.

According to the Financial Times, companies including Blockchain.com and Binance US are moving to introduce prediction market services. The reported plans reflect a broader effort by cryptocurrency businesses to expand beyond traditional digital asset trading, as the extended downturn pushes platforms to explore alternative revenue sources.

Prediction markets allow participants to trade contracts linked to the outcomes of future events. Depending on the platform and applicable regulations, these events can involve economic developments, financial indicators and other measurable outcomes. Event-based trading is not entirely new to US markets: federally supervised event contracts have been listed under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which regulates exchanges designated to trade such contracts. The growing interest in crypto prediction markets suggests that exchanges see potential demand for financial products outside conventional cryptocurrency markets, although regulatory and operational challenges remain. However, the report does not establish that the planned services are already available to US customers.

Why Binance and Blockchain.com Are Exploring New Revenue

The reported expansion comes as cryptocurrency exchanges face pressure from a prolonged downturn in token markets. Trading platforms often generate revenue through transaction fees, which can be affected by changes in trading activity and investor participation. When interest in cryptocurrency trading weakens, exchanges may look for additional products to diversify their income.

Prediction markets represent one possible opportunity because they allow users to trade based on event outcomes rather than cryptocurrency price movements alone. For Binance US and Blockchain.com, entering this market could help broaden their product offerings and attract different types of customers. However, the potential revenue impact remains uncertain.

The Financial Times report does not specify projected earnings, confirmed launch dates or the exact contracts the companies intend to offer. It also does not establish whether the proposed services will be available across every US state.

JUST IN: Crypto exchanges including Blockchaincom and Binance US are rushing to launch prediction markets in the US as the prolonged token slump pushes them to find new revenue, per FT. pic.twitter.com/LJgqB4ddZT
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) October 21, 2026

Source: Cointelegraph on X

What Crypto Prediction Markets Mean for US Regulation

The expansion of crypto prediction markets could bring new regulatory questions for cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the United States. Event-based contracts may fall under different regulatory requirements depending on their structure and the outcomes they reference. Platforms offering such products must consider applicable federal and state rules, including restrictions that may apply to particular contracts.

Regulatory treatment can differ from that of ordinary spot cryptocurrency trading. As a result, exchanges cannot assume that existing crypto trading operations automatically authorize prediction market services.

The growing interest in these products also reflects increasing competition between cryptocurrency platforms and businesses specializing in event contracts, a field that already includes CFTC-regulated exchanges such as Kalshi and crypto-based venues such as Polymarket. Still, success will depend on customer demand, compliance arrangements and the range of markets that platforms are permitted to offer.

For now, Blockchain.com and Binance US are reportedly pursuing prediction markets as a way to diversify their businesses during a difficult period for cryptocurrency tokens. The development highlights how crypto exchanges are searching for new growth opportunities beyond their traditional trading services. Signals to follow include official confirmation from the companies, the regulatory registrations they pursue, and the scope of contracts and states where the services ultimately become available.