How to Sign Up to Polymarket from the UK (2026)
Getting started on Polymarket requires roughly a quarter of an hour. You'll need a cryptocurrency wallet (MetaMask remains the most widely adopted choice), some USDC tokens on the Polygon blockchain, and a valid email account. Initial account creation doesn't mandate identity verification, though users with substantial trading activity may face verification requests at a later stage.
Step 1: Download a Wallet
Set up MetaMask either as a browser plugin (available for Chrome and Firefox) or via the dedicated mobile application. Generate a fresh wallet and carefully preserve your 12-word recovery phrase in a secure location — this phrase represents your sole means of account recovery.
Step 2: Add USDC to Polygon
- Acquire USDC through a UK-based crypto platform (such as Coinbase, Kraken, or Revolut)
- Transfer your USDC into your MetaMask address via the Polygon blockchain (ensure you avoid sending to the Ethereum main chain)
- Configure Polygon within MetaMask: use chainId 137 and RPC endpoint https://polygon-rpc.com
Step 3: Connect to Polymarket
Navigate to polymarket.com and select "Connect Wallet". Choose MetaMask (alternatively, use WalletConnect if accessing via smartphone). Confirm the connection request in your wallet application. Your Polymarket profile is instantly provisioned based on your wallet's public address.
Step 4: Deposit USDC
Select "Deposit" within the Polymarket dashboard. Your Polygon-based USDC holdings will display immediately. Choose how much capital you wish to allocate for trading — the practical floor is around $1.
Step 5: Place Your First Trade
Explore available prediction markets, pick the outcome you wish to back, specify your stake amount, and select "Buy". Your order settles rapidly thanks to Polygon's speed.
Is Polymarket Available in the UK?
Absolutely. UK residents can freely access Polymarket through any standard web browser. The platform faces no restrictions from British internet service providers. Polymarket operates without UK Gambling Commission authorisation because it functions as an information market rather than a gambling service. When comparing prediction platforms, Polymarket differs from traditional betting exchanges like Betfair and Smarkets in its blockchain-native architecture and regulatory classification.