Creating a Polymarket account has evolved significantly over the last year. With the official U.S. return in December 2025 and new native integrations with wallets like MetaMask, there are now two distinct ways to get started depending on your location and your preference for “convenience” vs. “self-custody.”
Here is the step-by-step guide to setting up your account for the 2026 trading season.
Method 1: The “Social” Signup (Fastest)
This method is ideal for beginners who want to get started in seconds without managing private keys immediately.
- Visit Polymarket: Click the Sign Up button in the top right corner.
- Choose Your Login: Select Google or enter your Email address.
- Verify Your Email: If you used an email address, click the “Magic Link” sent to your inbox.
- Account Generation: Polymarket automatically creates a “Proxy Wallet” for you behind the scenes. You are now ready to deposit and trade.
Method 2: The Web3 Wallet Signup (Most Secure)
This is the preferred method for the “Polymarket Bro” community. It gives you full control over your funds and avoids the social login vulnerabilities seen in late 2025.
- Install a Wallet: Ensure you have MetaMask, Rabby, or Phantom installed as a browser extension.
- Connect Wallet: On the Polymarket signup page, select “Connect Wallet.”
- Sign the Message: Your wallet will pop up asking you to sign a “Welcome” message. This is gasless and simply proves you own the address.
- Direct Access: Your account is now linked to your private key. You will skip the Google login process entirely.
Method 3: Native MetaMask Integration (New for 2026)
If you are on mobile, you no longer even need to visit the website.
- Open the MetaMask Mobile App.
- Tap the new “Predict” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- MetaMask will automatically generate a Polymarket interface within the wallet.
- Follow the prompts to “Activate Predictions.” Your existing MetaMask balance can be swapped directly into trading collateral.
The 2026 U.S. Onboarding Process
Following the CFTC approval in November 2025, U.S. users now have a specific onboarding path that includes regulatory compliance:
- Waitlist Verification: As of late December 2025, many U.S. users are still being onboarded via the official waitlist.
- KYC Requirements: Unlike the international version, the regulated U.S. Polymarket app requires full identity verification (Name, DOB, and Social Security Number) to comply with federal exchange rules.
- State Availability: While legal federally, certain states (like New York and Illinois) may still have local restrictions. The app will use your phone’s GPS to verify your location during signup.
Signup Checklist & Comparison
| Feature | Social Login (Google/Email) | Web3 Wallet (MetaMask) | U.S. Regulated App |
| Speed | < 30 Seconds | ~1 Minute | 3–5 Minutes (KYC) |
| Security | Medium (Third-party risk) | High (Self-custody) | High (Regulated) |
| Best For | Casual traders | Power users / Pros | U.S. Residents |
| Key Export | Possible via Magic Link | Native to your wallet | N/A (Broker-custody) |
Common Signup Issues
- “Access Denied”: If you see this, you may be in a restricted region. Check your VPN settings or ensure you are using the correct regional portal.
- Email Not Arriving: Check your spam folder for a message from “Magic Link” or “Polymarket.”
- Wallet Connection Failed: Ensure your wallet is set to the Polygon Network before trying to sign the initial message.
Ready to place your first trade? Visit the Polymarket markets page to see what’s trending in the 2026 Super Bowl and election markets.
