Kalshi Prediction Markets Surge to Record Volume in 2026 Opening
Prediction market platform Kalshi has begun 2026 with explosive momentum, recording $291 million in daily notional volume on January 1—nearly double its December 2025 baseline. The milestone extends a twelvefold growth trajectory that saw $23.8 billion in total 2025 volume, a 1,100% year-over-year surge.
Sports betting dominated December's $6.38 billion monthly volume, peaking at $381.7 million in single-day activity. While positioning Kalshi as a competitor to traditional sportsbooks, its CFTC-regulated derivatives framework creates unique regulatory complexities.