Kalshi asks CFTC to let punters borrow to back predictions

The exchange already offers limited leverage on perpetual futures but wants it for retail prediction market bets too.

The hit

Kalshi wants to let its users borrow money to place prediction market bets, not just trade its futures contracts. The exchange has asked the CFTC for approval to offer margin trading platform-wide, according to a Cryptoprowl report carried by Yahoo Finance. Leverage is standard in stock trading but rare on prediction markets.

Why it matters

If approved, users could stake more than their own cash allows, amplifying wins & losses on everything from sports to weather outcomes. Some analysts & politicians have warned about allowing leverage on prediction markets. Critics say the practice could deepen gambling addiction, especially with borrowed money at high interest rates. Kalshi frames it as courting institutional investors, but retail users trade the same markets.

The record

Current leverage	Kalshi already offers limited margin on its perpetual futures contracts
Proposed structure	Capital requirements to rise as event contracts near expiry, per Kalshi
Market backdrop	Trading volumes at Kalshi & rival Polymarket surged this year, driven by World Cup betting

What happens next

No timeline has been given for a CFTC ruling on Kalshi’s request.

Sources: Kalshi Seeks To Offer Margin Trading On Its Platform

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