Polymarket has outlined first steps for a native POLY token and an airdrop, coinciding with a pledge of up to $2 billion from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). The combination of big-money backing and the promise of free tokens has accelerated activity among traders, liquidity providers, and large funds. The momentum reflects rising volumes and valuation chatter, while timing remains tied to a full U.S. reopening that pushes a token release to 2026 at the earliest.
Matthew Modabber told staff that Polymarket will launch a native POLY token and run an airdrop to keep the site useful for years. ICE, the parent of the New York Stock Exchange, brings cash and Wall Street clout—its reported pledge of up to $2 billion helped lift Polymarket’s paper value from about $1 billion to near $9 billion, with extra funding rounds now aiming for $12–15 billion.
Activity has jumped sharply, with weekly turnover topping $2 billion and the yearly pace running above $50 billion. If sustained, those figures signal heavy use and strong demand for liquidity.
The platform operates on Ethereum while routing bets through Polygon Proof-of-Stake to keep fees low and records open. The team also cites a 94% hit rate on past predictions, a figure used to attract both small bettors and large desks.
Why the POLY token matters
An odd discrepancy persists: while the marketing chief spoke publicly, the help pages still say “no token plans.” The coin will wait until Polymarket fully reopens to U.S. users, slipping any release to 2026 at the soonest.
The free coin carrot has already spiked trade, with one record week hitting $2.9 billion in volume. “Airdrop farmers” who place fake volume to earn tokens can warp prices for a while, creating short-term distortions.
ICE’s money hints at a slow, careful hand-out and a treasury designed for long-term steadiness, rather than quick hype. Both the token and the U.S. relaunch hinge on regulatory green lights, keeping dates and details fluid.
Watch for the day Polymarket lets every U.S. user back in; only then will the token drop. Until that point, free-coin strategies and fresh funding talks will steer the next moves.
