During the 2026 World Cup, 60% of Polymarket bettors had never used crypto

The 2026 World Cup just made a decisive pass to the crypto market. Indeed, 60% of bettors on Polymarket during the global competition discover crypto through prediction markets! A phenomenon that upends traditional onboarding and raises a crucial question… Will these new users stay, or are they just passersby?

In brief

• 60% of bettors on Polymarket during the 2026 World Cup were crypto novices.
• Prediction markets have become an unexpected gateway to the blockchain.
• A record volume of 3.1 billion dollars was generated by the ‘World Cup winner’ contract.

The Unanticipated Entry Point to Crypto During the 2026 World Cup was Polymarket

The 2026 World Cup is much more than a sporting event; it is also a crypto adoption accelerator. According to a study by Bitget Wallet, 60% of users who bet on Polymarket during the tournament had never touched crypto before. Why this success? Simplicity and emotion. Unlike traditional protocols, which require a steep learning curve, Polymarket bet on instinct.

Users come because they have an opinion.

Explains Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. No need to understand smart contracts or gas fees, just bet on your favorite team. And the result is there: 

• 3.1 billion dollars in volume on the World Cup winner contract;
• A daily record of 713 million dollars in “taker volume”. Proof that crypto can attract the general public, provided it speaks their language.

Will These New Users Stay After the World Cup ?

At the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup and once the euphoria subsides, a question will arise… Will these 60% beginners anchor themselves in the crypto ecosystem, or disappear as quickly as they came? Although the numbers from Polymarket and Kalshi show an explosion of volumes on sports contracts, the aftermath seems more uncertain. To this end, two scenarios emerge:

1. The first, optimistic: these new crypto users, having tasted the simplicity of prediction markets, could explore other niches like DeFi, NFTs, or even bitcoin trading. After all, once the step is taken, curiosity can take over.
2. The second, more realistic: without support, many risk returning to their habits, crypto remaining for them a simple betting tool.

One thing is certain, without education and clear added value, the enthusiasm generated by the 2026 World Cup for crypto could be just a flash in the pan. The ball is therefore in the court of prediction markets.

The 2026 World Cup proves that crypto can attract the masses. But to capitalize on this, more than an event is needed: an impeccable user experience, and a reason to stay.