Source-backed answers to common Kalshi questions, including what FDIC insurance does and does not cover.
The CFTC designated KalshiEX LLC as a contract market in 2020. That establishes its federal exchange status; it does not make every contract available to every person or location. Check the current Member Agreement, jurisdiction restrictions, account eligibility, and the exact market rules before trading.
Short answer: Kalshi is not a bank, so do not treat a Kalshi balance or an event contract as if Kalshi itself were FDIC-insured. The FDIC says its insurance covers deposits at an FDIC-insured bank, not non-deposit investment products or the failure of a non-FDIC-insured institution. A bank used in a custody or payment chain may be FDIC-insured, but coverage for particular cash depends on the account ownership and records. Verify Kalshi's current Member Agreement and funding disclosures before depositing. Kalshi's CFTC designated-contract-market status is regulatory oversight, not deposit insurance, and it does not cover trading losses.
Do not rely on a fixed fee quoted by a third-party guide. Kalshi's fees can depend on the contract, price, quantity, order role, or product. Open the current official fee schedule and the order preview, then include the displayed fee and spread in the trade calculation.
The durable regulatory facts are that KalshiEX is a CFTC-designated contract market and that the CFTC entered a 2022 order against the operator then doing business as Polymarket for operating an unregistered facility. Those records do not by themselves prove either platform's current availability, products, funding methods, or liquidity. Verify current terms and jurisdiction rules directly.
A winning contract can produce a profit and a losing contract can lose the amount paid, but no outcome or trading edge is guaranteed. Fees, bid-ask spread, partial fills, and settlement rules affect the result. Use only risk capital and calculate the complete downside before placing an order.
Withdrawal methods, estimated timing, holds, and any charges can change and may depend on the account and funding history. Use the estimate shown in the current withdrawal flow and Kalshi's official support material; contact Kalshi support if a completed request exceeds that estimate.
Tax treatment and reporting depend on the contract, taxpayer, jurisdiction, and current law. Keep complete transaction and fee records, review Kalshi's current tax documents, and ask a qualified tax professional. This site cannot determine which form or treatment applies to a particular trader.
The exact market rules identify the event, close time, determination criteria, source agency, and payout structure. A market can close before it is determined, and determination can precede payout. Read the full rules and official market status; do not infer settlement from a headline or an unofficial source.
Kalshi's supported apps and mobile features can change. Use only app-store links reached from Kalshi's official site, confirm the publisher, and check the current app or web interface for the order types and account actions available to you.
Do not rely on an old numeric minimum. Confirm the current funding limits and methods in Kalshi's account interface and Member Agreement. A platform minimum is not a recommended bankroll; fund only an amount whose complete loss would be affordable.
Kalshi publishes REST and WebSocket documentation for market data and authenticated account actions. Current authentication, permissions, endpoints, and rate limits are defined by the official API documentation and account status, so verify them before building automation.
They are different products offered under different rulebooks and regulatory frameworks, even when both reference a sports outcome. Do not infer identical eligibility, consumer protections, fees, tax treatment, or settlement. Read the exact contract rules and the laws that apply in your jurisdiction.
Use the discussion chat for topic suggestions. For account, funding, verification, or settlement issues, contact Kalshi through its official support channel.
Ask in @Kalshi_chat