Skip to main content
HomeBlog › How to Withdraw from Prediction Markets: Step-by-Step
Prediction

How to Withdraw from Prediction Markets: Step-by-Step

Complete guide to withdrawing funds from Polymarket, Kalshi, and other prediction markets. Crypto withdrawal, bank transfer, fees, and timing explained.

Sarah Whitfield
Markets Editor — Political Forecasting · 1 May 2026 · 3 min read

Key takeaway: Exiting prediction markets usually requires converting your holdings into USDC (or USD), moving funds to your own wallet or bank account, and then exchanging to your preferred local currency. Depending on your chosen platform and withdrawal method, this process may take anywhere from 5 minutes up to 3 business days.

Understanding how to withdraw from prediction markets matters as much as learning how to fund your account initially. Many beginning investors concentrate on purchasing shares but find themselves unprepared for the mechanics involved in actually realising their gains. This article walks through the major platforms available.

Withdrawing from Polymarket

  1. Liquidate your position — offload your shares through the marketplace (alternatively, hold until market settlement for the complete payout)
  2. Go to Portfolio → Withdraw
  3. Choose your withdrawal network — Polygon (lowest cost, nearly instant) or Ethereum (steeper gas charges, 5-15 min)
  4. Provide your wallet address — verify this multiple times; once sent on the blockchain, transactions cannot be reversed
  5. Authorise the withdrawal — your USDC will land in your independent wallet between 1-10 minutes if using Polygon
  6. Exchange to fiat currency — transfer USDC to Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance and trade for EUR/USD/GBP, then move funds to your bank

Withdrawing from Kalshi

Kalshi operates through conventional banking infrastructure because it holds CFTC registration as an exchange:

  1. Go to Account → Withdraw
  2. Pick your registered bank account (ACH) or electronic wire
  3. Specify the sum and authorise the transaction
  4. Money reaches your account within 1-3 business days (ACH) or immediately (wire, £20 charge)

Common Withdrawal Issues

Issue Cause Solution
Withdrawal stuck in pending state for extended periodsBlockchain delays or regulatory screeningHold tight for a full day, then reach out to customer service
Incorrect network chosenTransferred USDC via Polygon to a wallet that only accepts EthereumRecovery is possible if you own the corresponding private key
KYC re-verificationSubstantial withdrawal initiates a regulatory verificationDeliver required paperwork without delay
Minimum withdrawal not metSite has a floor amount for withdrawalsAdd funds to your balance to reach the required floor

Withdrawal Fees by Platform

Platform Method Fee Speed
PolymarketPolygon USDC< $0.011-5 min
KalshiACHFree1-3 days
KalshiWire$25Same day
PolyGramPolygon USDCFree1-10 min

Tax Implications of Withdrawals

The act of withdrawing itself is not a taxable transaction — however, the sale of your shares (when you exit your position) is subject to taxation. Consult our prediction market tax guide for comprehensive information on filing obligations across the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom.

PolyGram streamlines the withdrawal process with an intuitive deposit and withdrawal interface. Start trading on PolyGram →

Sarah Whitfield
Markets Editor — Political Forecasting

Sarah has tracked political prediction markets and election forecasting since the 2020 US cycle. Focus: US presidential, congressional, and UK parliamentary contracts.