Polymarket integrates Lightning Network for instant Bitcoin deposits

The system utilizes a "zero-conf" model, where Spark evaluates transaction risk, fee adequacy, and potential double-spending the moment a payment is broadcast. By assuming the confirmation risk, Spark credits the user's account in under a second. This infrastructure allows Polymarket to avoid the technical burden of running its own Lightning nodes while maintaining a self-custodial flow where funds remain linked to individual user keys.

This upgrade arrives as Polymarket scales its operations amid significant market activity. Total volume across prediction markets reached $44.8 billion in June, with specific contracts related to the World Cup surpassing $5 billion. For participants in sports, political, or crypto-focused markets, the ability to deploy capital instantly is a critical advantage when price movements occur rapidly.

Spark’s payment rails are compatible with major exchanges and wallets, including Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, and Cash App, broadening the accessibility of the platform’s deposit options. This functionality comes as Polymarket navigates a complex regulatory environment, currently facing a broad investigation by the CFTC and ongoing scrutiny regarding gambling-law compliance in South Korea, alongside private litigation in New York.