Coinbase Launches Its Own Prediction Market

Recently, the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase made a significant step in expanding its services by launching a prediction markets platform called Coinbase Predict. This initiative, announced on January 28, 2026, allows users in all 50 US states to place bets on the outcomes of real-world events in sports, politics, entertainment, and cryptocurrencies. The platform was created in partnership with Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated company that ensures the legality and transparency of trades.

The launch occurred just before the Super Bowl, adding relevance: users can predict winners of sporting events, political nominations (for example, who Donald Trump will appoint as the head of the Federal Reserve), or even the price of Bitcoin on a specific date. Trading volumes on some markets already exceed millions of dollars, for instance, on questions about brands that will advertise during the big game or the winner of the WM Phoenix Open in golf. Coinbase Predict positions itself as an alternative to popular platforms like Polymarket, which is a leader in decentralized prediction markets with trading volumes over $3.74 billion in November 2025 alone.

According to the announcement on X, Coinbase Predict integrates crypto assets, allowing trading on events related to cryptocurrencies, such as the Federal Reserve's decision on rates in March 2026 or top songs in the charts. Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, emphasized that prediction markets are a powerful tool for seeking truth, combining financial bets with real events. However, the platform is unavailable to residents of the European Economic Area (EEA), which limits its global impact.

Experts suggest that this launch could become a catalyst for a potential token airdrop or other activities related to user rewards, considering Coinbase's previous "tricks" with airdrops. At the same time, the prediction market in the crypto sphere is rapidly developing. Among alternatives to Polymarket, Kalshi (a regulated platform focused on the US), Pariflow (with AI integration for more accurate predictions), PredictIt (specialized in political events), and Polkamarkets (a decentralized platform for cross-chain trading) stand out.

These platforms offer diverse tools: from NFT-related markets in Opinion Labs to tokenized contracts on Solana in Kalshi.

What awaits Coinbase Predict in the future is unknown, but the potential for integration with tokens and expansion to the global market makes this news important for the crypto community. You can learn about various prediction markets on our website - EGW.