For a long time, the biggest hurdle for Polymarket traders was the “centralized exchange dance”—buying USDC on one site and bridging it to another. In 2026, Polymarket has eliminated this friction by integrating direct “fiat-to-crypto” on-ramps.
You can now buy the necessary trading collateral (USDC on Polygon) using your credit card, debit card, or bank account without ever leaving the Polymarket dashboard.
Step-by-Step: Buying Crypto on Polymarket
1. Open the Deposit Menu
Log in to your Polymarket account and click the blue Deposit button in the top right corner.
2. Select “Buy Crypto”
Instead of choosing “Transfer from Exchange,” select the option labeled “Buy with Card/Bank” or choose a specific provider like MoonPay, Stripe, or Robinhood Connect.
3. Enter Your Amount
Input the amount of USD (or your local currency) you wish to spend. Polymarket will show you an estimate of the USDC you will receive after fees.
4. Identity Verification (KYC)
If this is your first time buying directly on Polymarket, the payment provider (e.g., MoonPay) will require a quick KYC check.
- Requirements: Usually a photo of your ID and a quick “liveness” selfie.
- Timeline: Approval typically takes between 2 and 10 minutes.
5. Complete the Purchase
Once verified, confirm your payment details. The USDC will be minted directly onto the Polygon network and deposited into your Polymarket proxy wallet.
Supported Payment Methods (2026 Update)
Polymarket has significantly expanded its payment partnerships following its regulatory breakthroughs in late 2025:
- Apple Pay & Google Pay: Now the fastest way for mobile users to fund an account instantly.
- Debit/Credit Cards: Supported via MoonPay and Stripe (Visa/Mastercard).1
- Instant Bank Transfers (ACH/SEPA): Ideal for larger amounts to avoid the higher fees associated with credit cards.
- Robinhood Connect: A new 2026 feature allowing you to pull your existing Robinhood balance directly into Polymarket.
Fee Comparison: Direct Buy vs. Exchange Transfer
| Feature | Direct Buy (MoonPay/Stripe) | Exchange Transfer (Coinbase) |
| Speed | Instant (after KYC) | 5–15 Minutes |
| Fees | 3% – 5% (Convenience Fee) | < 1% (Market Rate) |
| Difficulty | Very Low (One-click) | Medium (Requires bridging/network selection) |
| Best For | Casual traders / Small deposits | Power users / Large deposits |
Critical “Native USDC” Reminder
When buying directly on Polymarket, the providers are now calibrated to send the correct asset. However, if you see your balance as “Pending” or if you are asked to “Activate Funds” after a purchase:
- Don’t Panic: This simply means the provider sent Native USDC instead of USDC.e.
- The Fix: Click the “Activate” button in your Polymarket wallet to perform the final swap into trading collateral.
Safety Tip for Late 2025
Following the social login vulnerabilities reported in late December 2025, always ensure that your Polymarket account is secured with 2FA before linking your credit card or bank account to a third-party provider like MoonPay.
Ready to start trading? Visit the Polymarket markets page to see the live odds on the NFL playoffs and 2026 global events.
