Reddit users on r/Kalshi and r/PredictionMarkets generally view Kalshi positively, praising CFTC regulation and reliable withdrawals. Common criticisms focus on lower liquidity versus Polymarket and limited market variety.
Where to Find Kalshi on Reddit
Primary Communities
- r/Kalshi: Official-ish community for Kalshi users (smaller, focused discussions)
- r/PredictionMarkets: General prediction market discussion (includes Kalshi, Polymarket, etc.)
- r/sportsbook: Occasionally discusses Kalshi for event betting
- r/wallstreetbets: Sometimes mentions Kalshi election trades
What Redditors Love About Kalshi
1. Legal and Regulated
"Finally a prediction market that's not some sketchy offshore site. CFTC regulation matters."
"I sleep better knowing Kalshi is regulated. Polymarket volume is better but I'm not risking it as a US user."
2. Fast, Reliable Withdrawals
"Cashed out $5K last week, money hit my bank in 2 days. No issues, no KYC hassles on withdrawal."
"Withdrawals are actually free and fast. Polymarket withdrawal process is way more annoying."
3. Simple UX
"Platform is clean and easy to use. My mom could figure it out, unlike crypto-based platforms."
"No wallet, no gas fees, just link your bank and go. So much simpler than Polymarket."
Common Reddit Complaints
1. Lower Liquidity
"Spreads are brutal on anything except major elections. Polymarket has way better liquidity."
"Tried to place a $1K order and moved the market 5%. Needs more volume."
2. Limited Markets
"Wish they had more markets. CFTC approval limits what they can offer compared to offshore."
"No international politics, limited crypto markets. Polymarket has everything."
3. Position Limits
"Hit the position limit on a market I really liked. Annoying when you want to size up."
Reddit Trading Tips for Kalshi
Advice from experienced Redditors:
Use Limit Orders
"Never market order on Kalshi unless it's a super liquid market. Spreads will eat you alive."
Focus on High-Volume Markets
"Stick to presidential, Fed, and jobs markets. Everything else has terrible spreads."
Arbitrage with Polymarket
"I arb between Kalshi and Polymarket constantly. Easy 2-5% edges if you're fast."
Start Small
"Put in $100 and learn the mechanics before you go big. Lost $50 on spreads before I figured out limit orders."
Kalshi vs Polymarket Debate on Reddit
The eternal Reddit debate:
Pro-Kalshi Arguments
- "Legal > offshore any day. Not worth the risk for a few cents better spread."
- "1099 forms and regulated = proper tax reporting. Good luck tracking Polymarket for taxes."
- "If Polymarket gets shut down or rugs, you're screwed. Kalshi has CFTC protection."
Pro-Polymarket Arguments
- "Liquidity is 10x better. Kalshi is unusable for anything over $500."
- "More markets, tighter spreads, global access. Kalshi feels limited."
- "Decentralized > regulated. No one can shut down Polymarket."
Compromise Position
"Use both. Kalshi for US economic data and compliance. Polymarket for everything else if you're comfortable with the risk."
Reddit Success Stories
"Made $2K on the Pennsylvania election market. Bought in at 48¢, sold at 85¢. Kalshi withdrawals were instant."
"Been trading Fed decisions for 6 months. Up 15% ROI just scalping rate decisions based on FOMC statements."
"Turned $200 into $800 during midterms. Platform worked flawlessly even during high volume."
Red Flags and Warnings from Reddit
Issues to Watch For
- Low-liquidity traps: "Got stuck in a market with no buyers. Couldn't exit without massive loss."
- Overtrading: "Spreads add up fast. Trade too much and you're just bleeding money to the spread."
- Emotional trading: "Don't bet on your preferred candidate. Lost $500 betting what I wanted, not what was likely."
Best Reddit Advice for New Users
- Start with $50-$100: Learn the platform without significant risk
- Use limit orders: Never pay the ask or sell at the bid unless necessary
- Focus on liquid markets: Presidential elections, Fed decisions, jobs data
- Understand resolution criteria: Read exactly how each market settles
- Don't overtrade: Every trade costs you the spread
- Set aside tax money: Profits are taxable; don't blow it all
Customer Support Experiences
"Support responded within 24 hours and fixed my verification issue. Better than I expected."
"Had a withdrawal delay, emailed support, they escalated it and fixed within a day."
"Wish they had live chat instead of just email. Email support is fine but slow."
Bottom Line from Reddit
Reddit consensus: Kalshi is the best legal, regulated option for US users despite lower liquidity. If you prioritize compliance and safety over the absolute tightest spreads, Kalshi is worth using.
For serious traders, many Redditors use both Kalshi (for regulation) and Polymarket (for liquidity), arbitraging between them when opportunities arise.