Meta is advancing in the field of prediction markets, already very popular with crypto players. Mark Zuckerberg’s company is testing an application called Takes, which allows you to bet virtual points on future events. Unlike Polymarket and Kalshi, no real money is involved. The project remains reserved for Meta employees, with no public launch date announced.
In brief
- Meta is testing Takes, a prediction application using virtual points called “cred”.
- Unlike Polymarket, the application does not rely on crypto transactions.
- The project remains experimental, with no confirmation of a launch to the general public.
Meta tests Takes to compete with Polymarket
Meta moves to a new stage. In June 2026, the company was already working on Arena, a prediction market project intended to compete with Polymarket. Five months later, the application was tested by its employees under the name Takes.
Operation is relatively simple. Participants must predict the outcome of an event or answer a question about the future. They bet virtual points called “cred”, an abbreviation of the English word credibility.
A correct prediction earns points. A wrong answer results in a loss. No financial transaction is necessary. Among the questions tested would include the name of the next leader of Nvidia or the winner of an American television show.
The project was entrusted to a small team on the instructions of Mark Zuckerberg. The manager wanted to develop an application independent of Meta’s main social networks.
The company would thus have a new service likely to interest users attracted by prediction markets. However, the start remains limited. Takes is not accessible to the public. Meta has not confirmed a launch schedule or definitive business model. The company also hasn’t said whether the points could ever be converted into real money.
A crypto-free application compared to the Polymarket model
The difference between Takes and Polymarket is mainly found in their financial functioning. Polymarket uses the Polygon blockchain and digital assets to allow participants to trade contracts linked to future events.
Since April 2026, the platform uses pUSD in particular, a token guaranteed at parity by USDC, as a guarantee asset. Transaction settlement is based on USDC. Users therefore incur real financial value.
If their prediction turns out to be incorrect, they may lose their stake. Kalshi also works with financial contracts, but under a different infrastructure. The American platform is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Meta is currently taking a different direction. With Takes, points do not represent cryptocurrency and have no advertised monetary value. This choice would allow the company to offer an experience close to predictive markets without asking users to invest money.
It comes as existing platforms face several legal proceedings in the United States. In particular, certain States consider that contracts linked to sporting events constitute gambling. The companies concerned defend their federal supervision.
Disputes are not new. In May, Kalshi already accused Polymarket of regulatory laxity, particularly regarding identity checks. The absence of real money in Takes could reduce some of the risks associated with financial betting. However, it does not allow us to conclude that the application would automatically escape any regulation.
Can Meta attract users from crypto markets?
The potential arrival of Meta deserves the attention of crypto platforms. The company already has a global audience across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. She could use this presence to bring the predictions to a much wider audience.
Younger users constitute an interesting target. A survey by S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan indicates that more than 60% of Polymarket and Kalshi users are under 35 years old.
Meta seeks to maintain this generation’s interest in its applications. Takes’ business model remains unknown. The company might prioritize leaderboards, virtual rewards, or social interactions, but none of these additional features have been officially detailed.
No immediate commercial threat for Polymarket yet. The two services do not currently offer the same experience. On Polymarket, users can commit capital, trade their positions and obtain financial gains. Takes is based solely on points.
A possible opening to the public could nevertheless strengthen competition for users’ attention. The crypto sector is also continuing its own developments. In October, Polymarket revived speculation around a possible token, without announcing a launch. For Meta, the next step remains simpler: deciding whether Takes deserves to be offered to the general public. For now, the application remains an internal test.
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