Polymarket will begin charging trading fees across nearly all market categories on March 30, expanding well beyond the crypto and sports contracts that have carried fees since earlier this year.



The prediction market on Monday announced its new structure in politics, finance, economics, culture, weather and tech.



<h2>What The Fees Look Like</h2>



The fee model is probability-based rather than a flat commission, meaning fees are highest when a contract sits near 50% and shrink toward zero as outcomes become more certain.



Crypto gets hit hardest at 1.80%, up from 1.56%. Economics lands at 1.50%. 



Culture, weather and a few smaller categories sit at 1.25%. Politics, the category that put Polymarket on the map, comes in at 1.00%. Sports stays cheapest at 0.75%.



Geopolitical and world events contracts remain fee-free for now.



This is the third phase of a monetization rollout that started when Polymarket re-entered the U.S. in January following a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE). 



Crypto fees came first, sports followed on February 18, and the March 30 expansion covers nearly everything else.



Polymarket is reportedly raising at a valuation approaching $20 billion. 



It signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Major League Baseball earlier this month, reportedly worth up to $300 million. The NHL, MLS and UFC already have prediction market partnerships. 



Securing a $20 billion price tag means the era of zero revenue had to end.



Alongside the fees, Polymarket launched a referral program giving users with over $10,000 in volume a 30% cut of fees from direct referrals. 



The platform also introduced new market integrity rules prohibiting trading on stolen confidential information.



<h2>Why It Matters</h2>



Combined volume across Polymarket and Kalshi topped $17 billion in January 2026 alone. The free-ride era attracted the users. The fee era has to prove the business works.



If the fee model works, Intercontinental Exchange benefits directly as Polymarket’s backer. If it pushes volume toward regulated alternatives, DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) and Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE:FLUT) are the ones positioned to absorb it.



Image: Shutterstock

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Polymarket will introduce a new fee structure on March 30, charging fees across various market categories, including politics, finance, and culture. The fees will be probability-based, with crypto contracts facing the highest fee of 1.80%. This change marks the third phase of Polymarket's monetization strategy following significant investments. The platform also launched a referral program and new market integrity rules. The success of this fee model is crucial for Polymarket's future, especially with a valuation nearing $20 billion and partnerships with major sports leagues.

- Polymarket will introduce trading fees on March 30, expanding to various market categories including politics, finance, and tech.  
- The fee structure is probability-based, with charges highest near a 50% contract probability, affecting crypto the most at 1.80%.  
- This monetization phase follows a $2 billion investment and aims to generate revenue as the platform's valuation approaches $20 billion.

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Polymarket Is Done Being Free: New Fee Structure To Be Introduced On March 30