60% of Polymarket bettors during the 2026 World Cup had never used crypto

The 2026 World Cup has just made a decisive move on the crypto market. In fact, 60% of bettors on Polymarket during the global competition discovered crypto via prediction markets! A phenomenon that disrupts traditional onboarding and poses a crucial question… Will these new users stay, or are they just passers-by?

Polymarket, the unexpected gateway to crypto during the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is much more than a sporting event, but also an accelerator of crypto adoption. According to a study by Bitget Wallet, 60% of users who bet on Polymarket during the tournament have never touched crypto before. Why this success? Simplicity and emotion. Unlike traditional protocols, which require a steep learning curve, Polymarket has relied on instinct.

Users arrive because they have an opinion.

Explains Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. No need to understand smart contracts or gas fees, just bet on your favorite team. And the result is here:

• $3.1 billion in volume on World Cup winner's contract;
• A daily record of $713 million “volume taker”. Proof that crypto can appeal to the general public, provided they speak its language.

After the World Cup, will these new users stay?

At the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup and once the euphoria has subsided, a question will arise… These 60% of neophytes will they anchor themselves in the crypto ecosystem, or disappear as quickly as they came? Although figures from Polymarket and Kalshi show an explosion in volumes on sports contracts, the post-holiday period looks more uncertain. To this end, two scenarios emerge:

1. The first, optimistic: these new crypto users, having tasted the simplicity of prediction markets, could explore other niches such as DeFi, NFTs, or even bitcoin trading. After all, once you take the step, curiosity can take over.
2. The second, more realistic: without support, many risk returning to their habits, with crypto remaining a simple betting tool for them.

One thing is certain, without education and without clear added value, the enthusiasm generated by the 2026 World Cup for crypto could only be a flash in the pan. The ball is therefore in the court of prediction markets.

The 2026 World Cup proves that crypto can appeal to the masses. But to transform the trial, it will take more than an event: an impeccable user experience, and a reason to stay.