Polymarket operates with real money and is banned in the EU
Two Different Approaches
Polymarket is the largest prediction market platform in the world. It made headlines during the 2024 US elections by producing more accurate predictions than traditional polls. By 2026, it had surpassed $40 billion in total trading volume.
But Polymarket has a problem: it uses real money. Users deposit cryptocurrency and buy predictions. This puts it in legal trouble in many countries.
Pusulam takes a completely different approach. No real money, just virtual Voting Rights. This small difference leads to big consequences.
Legal Status
Polymarket is currently blocked in most of the European Union. Access is prohibited in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and similar countries. The reason is straightforward: the EU classifies prediction markets that use real money as either gambling or financial instruments.
Since Pusulam doesn't involve real money, we fall outside the scope of these regulations. Anyone, in any country, can sign up and use it without any legal barriers.
This matters especially for users in Europe. Millions of people who can't access Polymarket can experience the same concept through Pusulam, completely free of charge.
Comparison
| Polymarket | Pusulam | |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Real (USDC crypto) | Virtual (Voting Rights) |
| Cost | Real money at risk | Completely free |
| Legal status | Banned in the EU | Legal everywhere |
| Language support | English only | 7 languages |
| AI assistant | None | Yes (Claude Sonnet) |
| Country support | US-focused | 7 countries |
| Registration | Crypto wallet required | Email, 30 seconds |
Are the Odds Reliable?
This question comes up a lot. "If there's no real money, how can the odds be reliable?"
We solve this problem with two mechanisms.
First, we sync odds from Polymarket and Manifold Markets every minute. This means the odds on our platform are continuously aligned with markets backed by billions of dollars in real money.
Second, our users make predictions by spending Voting Rights. Voting Rights aren't real money, but they are a limited resource. You only get 3 per day. This encourages people to vote thoughtfully and do their research before committing.
Academic research also shows that play-money prediction markets produce results with accuracy close to real-money markets. Manifold Markets is a living proof of this.
So Why Wouldn't I Just Use Polymarket?
If you live in the US and you have crypto, Polymarket is a great platform. You're taking real risks with real money and you can earn real returns.
But if you:
- Live in Europe (Polymarket is blocked)
- Don't have a crypto wallet
- Don't want to take on financial risk
- Speak Turkish, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic
- Just want to share your opinion and compare it with the community
Then Pusulam is the better fit for you.
Conclusion
Polymarket and Pusulam are not competitors. They are different products serving different needs. Polymarket is for professional traders, and Pusulam is for anyone who wants to express their opinion freely.
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