Kalshi and Polymarket crypto event contracts hit a record $2.7 billion in weekly trading volume, with 15-minute BTC price predictions emerging as a new hotspot

Odaily: According to Dune data, nominal trading volume for crypto-related event contracts on Kalshi and Polymarket reached $2.7 billion last week, setting an all-time high. Bitcoin short-term up/down contracts were particularly active, with Kalshi's 15-minute Bitcoin price prediction contracts seeing single trades exceeding $1 million, and some traders using trading bots to capture opportunities in the final seconds before contract expiration.

Cryptocurrency has now become the second-largest trading category on both platforms after sports. Crypto trading platforms including Coinbase, Crypto.com, Gemini, and Kraken are expanding their businesses by applying for relevant licenses or partnering with prediction markets. Meanwhile, declining spot trading volume on centralized exchanges is also pushing crypto platforms to seek business diversification. However, as multiple U.S. states mount legal challenges against sports-related prediction contracts, the regulatory trajectory could also affect the industry's development. (Bloomberg)