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Prediction markets are rapidly moving from niche crypto platforms into the mainstream as major exchanges and financial institutions expand their involvement.
Industry observers say prediction markets are becoming one of the most strategically important frontiers in the digital asset sector.
Crypto.com has drawn attention after seeking to hire a quantitative trader for an internal market-making desk focused on prediction market contracts.
The role would involve buying and selling contracts alongside external traders, raising questions about market fairness and potential conflicts of interest.
According to Bloomberg, the internal desk is designed to provide liquidity across prediction market outcomes.
A Crypto.com spokesperson said the initiative aims to enhance market efficiency by increasing competition and liquidity for users.
Our internal market maker operates under the same rules as all other participants.
A Crypto.com spokesperson said.
The development highlights how centralised exchanges are increasingly positioning prediction markets as a core business line.
Coinbase has also doubled down on prediction markets through its acquisition of The Clearing Company, an onchain prediction market startup.
Coinbase confirmed the deal is expected to close in January, although financial terms were not disclosed.
Coinbase Ventures previously backed The Clearing Company in a $15 million funding round earlier this year.
The startup’s leadership includes veterans from established prediction platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi.
Coinbase executives have described the strategy as part of a broader vision to build an “everything exchange”.
The company aims to combine crypto trading, tokenised assets, equities and prediction markets under one platform.
In a recent outlook, Coinbase identified prediction markets as a major growth driver heading into 2026.
The exchange cited rising user engagement and regulatory changes as factors supporting long-term adoption.
Coinbase also noted that proposed changes to US tax policy could make traditional gambling less attractive.
Reduced tax deductions may encourage traders to migrate toward regulated prediction platforms.
Interest in crypto markets is also growing within traditional finance institutions.
JPMorgan Chase is reportedly exploring crypto trading services for select institutional clients.
Bloomberg reported the initiative is being considered within JPMorgan’s markets division.
The move would expand the bank’s crypto exposure beyond custody and blockchain-based settlement services.
Analysts say shifting political and regulatory conditions in the United States are encouraging institutional participation.
The Trump administration has adopted a more accommodative stance toward digital assets.
This includes the passage of comprehensive stablecoin legislation known as the GENIUS Act.
Meanwhile, crypto-native firms are also diversifying beyond digital assets.
DWF Labs has completed its first physical gold settlement involving a 25-kilogram bullion transaction.
This was a test tranche as we explore broader diversification.
Andrei Grachev said.
The firm plans to scale into other commodities such as silver, platinum and cotton.
The transaction relied on traditional settlement systems rather than blockchain infrastructure.
Market analysts say these moves reflect a pragmatic shift toward revenue stability and risk management.
Gold’s resilience amid macroeconomic uncertainty has made it an attractive hedge for crypto firms.
Bitcoin and broader crypto markets, by contrast, have struggled to regain sustained momentum.
Observers say the convergence of crypto, prediction markets and traditional assets is accelerating across the industry.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $87,422.42 .