Polymarket is considering a $9 billion valuation for a potential funding deal, a significant rise from its $1 billion valuation just three months ago. This surge is attributed to a recent increase in users and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) granting the platform permission to operate in the U.S. after previously banning it. The platform allows users to wager on political elections, court rulings, and geopolitical events, processing over $8 billion in wagers during the last U.S. election cycle, surpassing major sports betting platforms. Competitor Kalshi has also seen its valuation grow to $5 billion, reflecting investor optimism about mainstream acceptance of regulated prediction markets. The rise of Polymarket has drawn politically connected investors, including Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm. While some critics in Washington express concerns about potential misinformation, supporters argue that prediction markets provide a transparent view of public sentiments regarding significant events.

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