Binance.US is preparing to enter the rapidly expanding U.S. prediction market industry by applying for authorization from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to operate as a Designated Contract Market (DCM). If approved, the license would enable the exchange to compete with established platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. A DCM designation subjects operators to CFTC oversight, including rules on market integrity, capital requirements, and compliance, positioning licensed platforms to offer regulated event contracts to U.S. retail customers.

Stephen Gregory, CEO of Binance.US, announced the plan at the Rare Evo conference in Las Vegas, stating that the firm will submit its DCM license application next month. Upon receiving approval, Binance.US would be legally permitted to offer futures, options, and event contracts to retail clients.

Steve Gregory (@Stevie_Satoshi), CEO of @BinanceUS, on the next major retail credit primitive: "Next cycle, crypto-as-collateral becomes a really big product." "It's the best collateral there is. It costs nothing to foreclose on collateralized crypto, we custody it anyway."… pic.twitter.com/AZsMY6eLQt — The Rollup (@therollupco) July 29, 2026

As reported by Eleanor Terrett, host of Crypto America, the proposed application is part of Binance.US's broader recovery strategy.

🚨SCOOP: @BinanceUS plans to apply to the @CFTC for a Designated Contract Market (DCM) next month with the goal of offering prediction markets to customers, CEO @Stevie_Satoshi just told me on stage at @RareEvo Conference. The move is part of the exchange's broader comeback… — Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) July 29, 2026

Binance.US Expands Beyond Spot Trading

Since Gregory took over as CEO this year, Binance.US has undergone significant restructuring following regulatory setbacks. The exchange has reduced nearly all trading fees to zero, sharpened its focus on compliance, and broadened its roadmap for derivatives products.

Prediction markets would diversify the platform's revenue streams, which are currently limited to spot trading, and attract new users by allowing them to trade futures on the outcome of real-world events. The sector has grown substantially in the past two years as retail interest in political, economic, and sports forecasting has surged, drawing both traditional brokers and crypto firms.

If approved by the CFTC, Binance.US would join an increasingly competitive field. Gemini already holds a DCM license, and Coinbase has partnered with Kalshi to offer event contracts to U.S. customers. Polymarket, which has operated offshore and served many U.S. users without a domestic license, has also drawn attention from regulators, underscoring the compliance gap that CFTC-licensed entrants aim to fill.

Exchange Continues Recovery After Regulatory Settlements

The move follows Binance Holdings' $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. regulators in 2023. Former CEO Changpeng Zhao served four months in prison and was subsequently pardoned by former President Donald Trump.

Zhao retains a majority stake in Binance.US but has stated that he is no longer involved in the company's operations, limiting his role to technical matters. He has emphasized that the firm seeks to grow in the United States through product quality and customer accessibility.

A Binance.US spokesperson said the company intends to establish itself as one of the leading platforms for acquiring and trading digital assets through the introduction of innovative products.

Robinhood Also Eyes Prediction Markets

The prediction market landscape is becoming increasingly crowded. According to The Wall Street Journal, Robinhood Markets is in discussions with Crypto.com to bring prediction markets to its platform, though no agreement has been finalized.

Robinhood currently offers event contracts through Kalshi, ForecastEx (Interactive Brokers), and Rothera. Kalshi remains the top U.S. prediction market platform, with sports event contracts accounting for the highest trading volume.

Prediction markets are becoming an increasingly important component of the growth strategy for many crypto and financial services companies, with regulatory approval emerging as the key differentiator for platforms seeking long-term access to U.S. retail customers.