World Cup-Driven Prediction Markets: 60% of Polymarket New Users Try Crypto for the First Time

Approximately 60% of Polymarket users who began betting on the World Cup were new to blockchain protocols. Coin Telegraph reported that prediction markets are emerging as a primary entry point into the crypto ecosystem, surpassing token trading and DeFi. Data from Bitget Wallet tracking 857,000 active users over 90 days revealed that 60% of these users had no prior blockchain interaction. Industry experts noted a shift in user acquisition, with prediction markets allowing participation based on real-world event insights rather than technical knowledge. Daily taker volume hit $713 million on June 21, with Bernstein forecasting over $3 billion in sports betting and $50 billion in prediction markets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Regulatory scrutiny intensified as Kentucky sued five prediction platforms, drawing involvement from the CFTC and White House.