You have probably seen or heard about prediction markets recently, which is why you would want an answer to the question, “Is Kalshi legit?” The answer is yes, and we will tell you all about the platform’s security and availability.
Kalshi is the first federally regulated exchange where you can trade event contracts. It also has a range of safety features that ensure you can securely use the platform from anywhere in the US. In this article, we will focus on these security features and how the platform works in general. We’ll also include some pros and cons to note.
What is Kalshi, and who owns it?
Kalshi is an exchange dedicated to trading event contracts. It started in 2018 when two MIT graduates, Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopez Lara, came up with the idea of building a prediction market in the US that would be locally regulated. That idea made it possible for people to easily trade on the potential outcome of real-world events as if they were trading stocks. However, no complexities were tied into the process. So, all users needed to do was decide whether the possibility of something happening was a “Yes” or a “No.”
For the first two years, the platform was taking shape and gradually gaining public attention. However, in late 2020, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) granted them a Designated Contract Market license. That not only changed how Kalshi was seen but also shaped a new industry that is now fast-growing. So far, the platform is growing even though there are no other Kalshi allowed countries just yet. Even though it is now backed by major investors, Kalshi remains a privately owned company.
While most people know Kalshi for political event contracts, its most popular category so far is its sports prediction markets. In fact, from our research, they made a whopping 85% of their 2025 revenue from sports event contracts alone.
Where is Kalshi allowed in the US?
Kalshi is legal in California and every other US state. The platform matches users without setting odds on events, allowing participants to drive the price. In fact, with the platform’s license, it is considered to be operating like any other exchange. Still, there’s been pushback from a few states, which has led to some legal battles.
In the midst of all that, many interested potential users often wonder, “Is Kalshi available internationally?” For now, the answer is no, and it may take a long time before global expansion is actualized.
Kalshi’s licensing and security
Even if you are in one of the Kalshi restricted countries, understanding how and why the platform is legitimate in the US is important. It’ll give you an idea of what to expect, just in case it expands to your location in the future. From our Kalshi review, we have noticed that what sets it apart from other prediction sites is the regulatory backing that it now has. With its CFTC license, the platform is held to the same standards as any other popular futures exchange in the US. This is what the license means in relation to how the platform works and offers its services:
⚖️ Legality and access
The CFTC license means all 50 states are Kalshi legal states because it gives the platform federal support. It’s the main reason why lawsuits like the one from Massachusetts remain a tough legal battle. Ideally, there should be no state interference with their operations as a result of their current regulatory oversight.
🔍 Strict oversight
Now, the CFTC monitors everything from how people trade on the platform to how Kalshi stays compliant and manages risk. This ensures that the platform remains secure for users. It also makes it easy for the regulator to pick up on suspicious activities early and gives users a higher authority to report incidents to.
🛡️ Compulsory AML and KYC checks
After your Kalshi registration, you’ll need to complete a KYC procedure because the platform has to know every registered user. It is also a way to stay compliant with AML laws because they have enough data to prove how you use funds deposited into the platform. In general, Kalshi is treated like other exchanges, so it must follow the same compliance that they follow.
💰 User protection
Kalshi does not hold or manage users’ funds. Instead, funds are held in a clearing house so that there is little to no risk of lost money. Also, the only possible loss is when predictions don’t go as expected, which every user understands.
How to sign up with Kalshi
You don’t need a Kalshi referral code to set up an account; you just need to be in the US and have access to the app or a mobile browser. Here are the steps we followed to create our Kalshi account on the mobile web:
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Sign up
Start by clicking on any of the banners on this page. It’ll automatically take you to the Kalshi website. Once there, click on the sign up button, then choose between Google, Apple, or Email. We opted for Google, but you can also choose Apple because these two will help the platform pull the needed details quickly. If you prefer to just fill out the form yourself, then you can choose email.
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Complete email and phone number verification
Check your email to see the code that has been sent to you. Copy and enter it on the website to help them confirm that indeed your email works. Next, you will have to provide your phone number and also type in the code that you receive via SMS. With this information, they can confirm that you are indeed within the United States.
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Provide your address
As part of the compliance requirement, they need to know your actual home address. You will be required to type your address in full as the final part of the registration process.
Unlike other platforms where simply providing your details is sufficient to activate your account, Kalshi requires time to verify your information. In our case, it took around 10 minutes from when we completed the steps above to when our account was ready for use. Still, we think it was a seamless process, especially because all the many steps are part of how they manage to keep the platform secure.
New user offer — how to claim the Kalshi welcome bonus
We made a $10 deposit and used it on a trade to get an extra $10 in bonus funds. It didn’t matter what market we traded the deposited funds in, and we didn’t need to apply a Kalshi promo code either. Of course, $10 is not a significant amount, but it is a good way to get an extra boost as you test the platform.
| Kalshi bonus offers | What you receive |
|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Deposit and trade $10 to claim an additional $10 in bonus funds. |
| Referral bonus | Claim $25 in bonus funds for every eligible referral. |
Kalshi legality pros and cons
We have experienced Kalshi and can boldly call it a safe platform. However, there are still a few arguments around its legal standing, hence these pros and cons:
Final thoughts on Kalshi’s legal standing
Being able to secure a CFTC license is a major milestone for Kalshi and the entire prediction markets industry. Kalshi provides a legal and transparent space for users to trade event outcomes. Still, clarity on where it stands exactly remains a subject of debate in some parts of the US. While we keep an eye on the outcomes of the different legal battles, we appreciate the existing security features that the platform offers. In all, Kalshi is safe and legal to join, so set up an account to try it yourself. Tap on any of the banners on this page to create a profile.
Is Kalshi legal?—FAQs
🆔 Will Kalshi demand my Social Security number?
🔒 How secure is the Kalshi mobile app?
⏳ How long does Kalshi KYC take to be completed?
Simon Day
Simon has been writing about Gaming and Sports for over a decade, with his work featured in a variety of well-known gaming magazines. In 2025, he joined win.gg as an Editorial Specialist, where he continues to share his passion for the industry through insightful and well-crafted content pieces.
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