Prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi are competing to recruit as many crypto influencers as attainable, paying them to show affiliate badges on X in a PR battle that has been dubbed the “Kalshi vs Polymarket KOL Wars.”
Each corporations are paying undisclosed sums to varied accounts, with followers starting from the a whole lot to the a whole lot of 1000’s, to advertise their markets to their respective audiences on X and show the affiliate badge.
One other member of the Kalshi crew famous final month, “Deploying more Kalshi badges — steady lads,” whereas some customers have begged for the possibility to signify Kalshi.
The advertising and marketing push follows a current dramatic drop in app downloads throughout each platforms and could be an try to hook newcomers throughout the crypto neighborhood.
Prediction market competitors results in poaching
X consumer and crypto streamer, “Eddie,” accepted a Kalshi affiliate deal in September, however over three weeks later, he was poached by Polymarket and his account is now sporting the rival badge.
One crypto consumer joked Eddie would possibly even be a “double agent.”
One other influencer to modify sides is “Utopia Sports,” who’s at present brandishing a Polymarket badge after claiming their Kalshi partnership turned bitter.
The account claims their badge was eliminated three weeks into the partnership after they needed to renegotiate the phrases of Kalshi’s “unclear” settlement.
In line with messages shared by Utopia Sports activities, Kalshi needed the cash paid to Utopia Sports activities again and instructed them, “If we let every partner cut off their contract while keeping the money, we would go bankrupt.”
Did not even get drafted within the Kalshi vs Polymarket KOL wars, is it as a result of I’m previous now?
— Cobie (@cobie) October 6, 2025
For some crypto OGs, it could be too late.
After they wouldn’t pay Kalshi again, Utopia Sports activities claims Kalshi then tried to “bribe” them with a $100 bonus. Utopia Sport argues that since they didn’t signal a written contract, they’re not obliged to pay them again, regardless of agreeing to the phrases over direct message.
One other crypto influencer who’s made the swap and is outright becoming a member of Kalshi’s product improvement crew is “IcoBeast.eth.”
They beforehand labored for Proof of Play and stepped down from the position final month, however onlookers seen how the brand new position seems like a prediction market poaching.
Kalshi beats Polymarket in quantity
Dune analytics from the consumer “dunedata” present that Kalshi’s notional quantity for the week beginning September 29 hit $956 million. Polymarket’s notional quantity for that week, nonetheless, was simply $464 million.
Polymarket has simply introduced that the dad or mum firm of the New York Inventory Trade, the Intercontinental Trade, shall be investing $2 billion into the agency.
This funding would go away the platform with a $9 billion valuation. Compared, Kalshi was valued at $2 billion in June.
That is simply as Polymarket is about to re-enter the American marketplace for the primary time because it settled with the Commodities Futures Buying and selling Fee in 2022.
This funding, in addition to enter from Donald Trump Jr, who’s an advisor for each corporations, will probably assist its reentry.
