Mark Zuckerberg has directed Meta to create a prediction markets app
Mark Zuckerberg has directed Meta to develop a prediction markets app, according to employees. The app would let users bet on future events, similar to platforms like Polymarket. This move aligns with Meta's broader push into decentralized and real-time interactive features.
Background
Prediction markets are online platforms where users trade contracts tied to the outcome of real-world events (e.g., "Will candidate X win the election?"), effectively creating a crowd-sourced probability. They were historically treated as unregulated gambling in the US, but a 2024 federal court ruling and a new Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under the Trump administration have opened the door for more legally compliant platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket (a crypto-based, US-blocked service). Meta now wants in. CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly ordered the creation of a dedicated prediction markets app — not just a feature — to compete in this fast-growing space, which also intersects with Meta's broader pivot toward more decentralized, "free speech" friendly products after years of content moderation battles.