Best Prediction Markets Apps for Perpetual Futures 2026: Top Sites for Trading Perps
Mike Goodpaster Last Verified
06/07/2026
Perpetual futures on regulated US prediction market sites are a new product category. Kalshi launched the first CFTC-regulated perpetual futures contracts in the US in June 2026, with Polymarket announcing its own perps product shortly after. This page covers which sites currently offer perpetual futures, what assets are available, how fees and funding work, and how to get started.
This is not the same product as a Yes/No event contract. Perpetual futures are leveraged derivatives with no expiration date. If you are new to the format, our guide on what perpetual futures are covers the mechanics in full before you trade.
Best Sites for Trading Perpetual Futures
Only a small number of regulated US prediction market sites currently offer perpetual futures. The table below shows who has a live product and who has announced one.
| Prediction market site | Welcome offer | Perps status | Assets available | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | $10 bonus | Live (launched June 2026) | BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, DOGE, and more | ACH, debit card, PayPal, Venmo, crypto |
| Polymarket | Deposit $20 get $50 | Announced, waitlist phase | BTC, NVDA planned | USDC (Polygon), MoonPay, ACH |
Kalshi: The Only US Site With Live Regulated Perpetual Futures
- Sports, politics, and crypto predictions
- Economics, culture, and climate events
- Optimized Android and iOS apps
- 2% debit card deposit fee
Kalshi is the first and currently the only US prediction market site with live CFTC-regulated perpetual futures. BTCPERP launched in June 2026 as the first regulated perp in US history, crossing $1 billion in cumulative volume within the first week. The lineup has since expanded to include ETHPERP, SOLPERP, XRPPERP, DOGEPERP, and additional altcoins, with 13 CFTC-approved contracts confirmed as of mid-2026. All contracts are cash-settled, use CF Benchmarks Real-Time Indexes as the settlement reference, and carry an eight-hour funding rate. BTCPERP supports leverage up to 50x. Perpetuals on Kalshi use isolated margin, meaning the funds allocated to a specific position are separate from the rest of your account balance.
Perpetuals require a separate margin account from your standard event contracts balance, and a suitability check within the app before access is enabled. New users get a $10 welcome bonus after placing $10 in event contract trades, no promo code needed. The Kalshi app is available on iOS and Android, and Kalshi pays 3.95% APY on idle cash in your standard account. For traders who want both event contracts and leveraged perpetuals from a single regulated US venue, Kalshi is currently the only place that offers both.
Polymarket: Perpetuals Announced, Waitlist Open
- Polymarket is live in the USA
- Easy pick-up-and-trade mechanics
- Sign-up rewards may be available
- Beginner-friendly platform
- Dynamic trading topics
- Long wait list to join
- High regulatory scrutiny
- Not all markets are available yet
Polymarket announced its perpetual futures product in April 2026, with BTC and NVDA as the initial planned assets and up to 10x leverage. As of mid-2026 the product remains in a pre-launch waitlist phase and has not gone live for general US users. When it does launch, Polymarket's existing liquidity base and global user pool position it well to build deep order books quickly. The announcement signals the product's direction but joining the waitlist is the right move for anyone who wants priority access when it opens.
Polymarket's existing event contracts platform is fully live. New US users who deposit $20 or more receive a $50 trading bonus, the strongest welcome offer on this page. The Polymarket iOS app launched in May 2026 and covers the full event contracts lineup across sports, politics, crypto, and economics. Perpetuals will operate as a distinct product within the platform when they launch.
What Perpetual Futures Assets Are Available on Kalshi
Kalshi's perpetuals lineup as of mid-2026, with the full list of confirmed contracts and their key specs.
| Ticker | Asset | Settlement index | Max leverage | Min position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTCPERP | Bitcoin | CF Benchmarks Bitcoin Real-Time Index | Up to 50x | 1/10,000 BTC (~$10) |
| ETHPERP | Ethereum | CF Benchmarks Ethereum Real-Time Index | Varies | 1/1,000 ETH |
| SOLPERP | Solana | CF Benchmarks Solana Real-Time Index | Varies | 1 SOL |
| XRPPERP | XRP | CME CF XRP-Dollar Real Time Index | Varies | 1 XRP |
| DOGEPERP | Dogecoin | CF Benchmarks DOGE Real-Time Index | Varies | Varies |
| 8 additional altcoins | Including Stellar, Chainlink, Litecoin, SUI, and others | CF Benchmarks Real-Time Indexes | Varies by asset | Varies by asset |
All 13 approved contracts use cash settlement. Leverage caps are highest on Bitcoin (up to 50x) and lower on altcoins given their higher volatility. The full current list and specs for each contract are published on the Kalshi platform. For context on the crypto assets themselves and what event contracts cover on each one, see our crypto prediction markets hub.
How Perpetual Futures Work on These Sites
Perpetual futures are structurally different from event contracts. The core mechanics are worth understanding before you trade any of them. For a complete breakdown, see our dedicated guide on how Kalshi and Polymarket compare on perpetuals and event contracts.
- No expiry date. Unlike an event contract that resolves on a fixed date, a perpetual future has no settlement deadline. You hold the position until you choose to close it, as long as your margin stays above the maintenance threshold.
- Long or short. You can profit from price increases (going long) or price falls (going short). This directional flexibility is one of the key differences from event contracts, where you pick Yes or No on a specific outcome.
- Leverage amplifies gains and losses. A 10x leveraged long on Bitcoin gains 10 times as much as a spot purchase when the price rises, but also loses 10 times as much when it falls. At higher leverage levels, the distance between your entry price and your liquidation price shrinks significantly.
- Funding rate every eight hours. Three times per day, a payment transfers between longs and shorts based on whether the perpetual is trading at a premium or discount to spot. This keeps the contract price anchored to the underlying asset price and represents an ongoing cost of holding a position.
- Liquidation. If the market moves against you and your margin falls below the maintenance threshold, Kalshi's clearing house (Kalshi Klear) closes the position automatically. With isolated margin, only the funds allocated to that specific position are at risk.
Perpetual Futures vs Event Contracts
Both products live on the same platforms, but they are built for different purposes. Choosing the right one depends on what kind of view you have and how much risk you want to take on.
| Feature | Perpetual futures | Event contracts (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|
| Expiration | None | Fixed date or condition |
| Leverage | Yes (up to 50x on BTC) | No |
| Direction | Long or short | Yes or No |
| Maximum loss | Isolated margin (liquidation risk) | Amount paid for the contract |
| Ongoing cost | Funding rate every 8 hours | None after purchase |
| Assets covered | Crypto (expanding) | Crypto, sports, politics, economics, culture |
| Suitability check required | Yes | No |
| Best for | Leveraged directional price views | Specific outcome with defined risk |
For traders new to prediction markets, event contracts are the more accessible starting point. Perpetuals are suited to traders who specifically need leveraged directional exposure and understand margin mechanics. For a side-by-side comparison of both product types in depth, see our guide on how prediction markets compare to other trading products.
How to Get Started With Perpetual Futures on Kalshi
Perpetuals on Kalshi require a few extra steps beyond a standard event contracts account. Getting set up before a specific trade you want to make saves time.
- Create and verify a Kalshi account: Sign up at Kalshi and complete KYC with a government-issued ID. Standard account verification is required before any deposit or trade, including perpetuals.
- Apply for perpetuals access: From within the app or web interface, navigate to the Perpetuals section and apply for access. Kalshi runs a suitability assessment to confirm the product is appropriate for your experience level and financial situation.
- Fund a separate margin account: Perpetuals use a dedicated margin account separate from your event contracts cash balance. Transfer funds into the margin account before opening any position. The minimum depends on the asset and your chosen position size.
- Navigate to the Perpetuals tab: Select the asset you want to trade from the Perpetuals section. Each contract page shows the current funding rate, mark price, index price, and order book.
- Set your position size and leverage: Enter your position size and select leverage. The interface shows the required initial margin, your estimated liquidation price, and the current funding rate before you confirm.
- Choose long or short and confirm: Long if you expect the price to rise, short if you expect it to fall. Review all parameters before confirming. Your open position appears in the perpetuals portfolio where you can monitor it, add margin, or close it.
Fees on Perpetual Futures
Kalshi launched perpetuals with zero trading fees during the initial launch period. This may change as the product matures, so checking the current fee schedule on the platform is worth doing before trading at scale. Beyond the trading fee itself, the ongoing cost of holding a position is the eight-hour funding rate, which varies based on market conditions and is displayed on each contract's page before you enter.
The funding rate tends to be small in stable, low-volatility conditions. In strongly trending markets where most traders are positioned on the same side, the rate can become meaningful over multiple days. A trader who is directionally correct but on the expensive side of the funding rate can see that cost compound over a longer hold period. Monitoring the rate and factoring it into your cost basis before opening a position is sensible practice.
Risk Considerations Before Trading Perps
Perpetual futures carry materially higher risk than event contracts. These are the most important risk factors to understand before trading.
Liquidation can happen faster than you expect
In fast-moving crypto markets, the distance between your entry price and your liquidation price can be covered quickly at higher leverage levels. At 10x leverage on Bitcoin, a 10% adverse move eliminates 100% of your margin. At 50x, that same loss occurs on a 2% move. Always know your liquidation price before entering and have a plan for adding margin or closing if the market moves against you.
Funding rates compound over time
Three payments per day sounds small but adds up over a week on a leveraged position in a market where you are on the expensive side. A trader can be right about direction and still have returns eroded by funding costs if the position is held too long. Factor the current funding rate into your expected cost before opening.
Start with the lowest practical leverage
The maximum available leverage is rarely the right choice. Professional traders in perpetual futures markets typically use well below the maximum because it gives them more room to manage a position through adverse moves without liquidation. Starting at 2x or 3x while you learn the product is sensible.
Perpetuals are a different product from event contracts
If you are used to trading Yes/No event contracts on Kalshi, perpetuals require a different mental model. Event contracts have a defined maximum loss, no ongoing costs, and a binary outcome. Perpetuals have none of those properties. The suitability check is designed to confirm you understand this before access is granted.
The Bottom Line on Perpetual Futures Sites
Kalshi is the only regulated US prediction market site currently offering live perpetual futures, with 13 CFTC-approved contracts across Bitcoin and a growing list of altcoins. Polymarket has announced its own perps product with Bitcoin and NVDA planned, but remained in a pre-launch waitlist phase as of mid-2026. Both sites also offer full event contracts coverage alongside perpetuals, making them the two natural choices for traders who want both product types on a regulated US venue.
For the broader picture of what these sites cover beyond perpetuals, including sports, politics, crypto event contracts, and more, see our best prediction markets overview.
Perpetual Futures on Prediction Market Sites FAQ
Which prediction market site offers perpetual futures?
Kalshi is the only regulated US prediction market site with live perpetual futures as of mid-2026, having launched BTCPERP in June 2026. Polymarket announced its own perps product covering BTC and NVDA, with waitlist sign-ups open, but it had not launched for general US users as of this writing.
What assets can I trade as perpetuals on Kalshi?
Kalshi has 13 CFTC-approved perpetual futures contracts including Bitcoin (BTCPERP), Ethereum (ETHPERP), Solana (SOLPERP), XRP (XRPPERP), Dogecoin (DOGEPERP), and eight additional altcoins including Stellar, Chainlink, Litecoin, and SUI. The lineup is expanding as more contracts clear CFTC review.
How much leverage is available on Kalshi perpetuals?
BTCPERP supports up to 50x leverage. Altcoin perpetuals have lower leverage caps given their higher volatility. The available leverage for each contract is shown on the order entry screen before you confirm.
What is the funding rate on perpetual futures?
The funding rate is a payment exchanged between long and short holders every eight hours. It keeps the perpetual contract price anchored to the underlying spot price. When the contract trades at a premium to spot, longs pay shorts. When it trades at a discount, shorts pay longs. The rate varies with market conditions and is displayed on each contract's page.
Do I need a separate account for perpetuals on Kalshi?
Yes. Perpetuals use a dedicated margin account separate from your standard event contracts cash balance. You also need to complete a suitability check within the Kalshi app before perpetuals access is enabled.
Are perpetual futures riskier than event contracts?
Yes, significantly. Event contracts have a defined maximum loss equal to what you paid, no leverage, and no ongoing costs. Perpetuals involve leverage, liquidation risk, and an ongoing funding rate. They are suited to traders who understand leveraged derivatives, not to beginners.
What is the minimum to get started with Kalshi perpetuals?
The minimum depends on the asset and your chosen position size and leverage. For BTCPERP, the minimum position is 1/10,000th of a Bitcoin, which works out to roughly $10 at a $100,000 Bitcoin price. You need to have sufficient margin in your dedicated margin account before any position can be opened.
Are Kalshi perpetuals available in all US states?
Kalshi is available broadly across the US, but some states have specific category restrictions. Perpetuals may be subject to different eligibility rules than event contracts in certain jurisdictions. Check current state availability on the Kalshi platform before depositing into the margin account.
