DraftKings Partners With Crypto.com to Add Player-Specific Prediction Markets

Key Points

• DraftKings partnered with Crypto.com to add player-specific NFL and NBA contracts to DraftKings Predictions.
• The deal expands prediction markets into more sports and future categories like politics and entertainment.
• The platform increases access in states without legal sports betting under CFTC regulation.

DraftKings has signed a fresh agreement with Crypto.com, and honestly, it shows clear intent. The deal aims to expand offerings on its federally regulated prediction market platform, DraftKings Predictions, while introducing player-specific sports event contracts. This move also widens the overall scope of available markets, which feels like a logical next step. Through the collaboration, NFL and NBA player-specific contracts now appear on the platform, and that shift matters. It marks an expansion beyond the earlier focus on point spreads, point totals, and game or event winners. The timing stands out as major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the NBA Playoffs move closer.

Crypto.com Exchange Integrated Into DraftKings Predictions

Under the agreement, Crypto.com | Derivatives North America connects its exchange with DraftKings Predictions, and the move signals intent. The company acts as a global cryptocurrency platform and runs a Commodity Futures Trading Commission-regulated derivatives exchange. This integration lets eligible customers trade player-specific event contracts linked to professional basketball and football. In addition, it expands access to sports prediction markets across states where traditional sports betting remains illegal. The list includes California, Georgia, Texas, and Florida, and that detail matters. DraftKings Predictions operates using federally regulated event contracts under oversight from the CFTC. As a result, the platform sits under federal jurisdiction rather than state-level sports betting regulation.

The expanded partnership also sets a framework for DraftKings Predictions to enter additional categories beyond sports, and the intent feels clear. Crypto.com is expected to support the launch of new event contract categories covering politics, culture, entertainment, and other non-sports areas. This step builds on the platform’s existing offerings, which already form the base. At the same time, DraftKings Predictions continues to rely on CME Group as a partner for sports and financial prediction markets. Alongside this, the company plans to integrate Railbird Exchange into the platform in the coming months. This integration follows its acquisition in October, and the timing aligns.

With the Crypto.com connection, DraftKings Predictions adds wider coverage across sports prediction markets already available on the platform. These markets include soccer, mixed martial arts, golf, boxing, tennis, and the Olympic Games, including the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The platform also includes DraftKings’ Responsible Trading programme, and that detail matters to users. It offers tools and resources directly within the standalone app and on the website. Access remains available through iOS and Android devices, which keeps the reach steady.

DraftKings and Crypto.com Position Deal as Platform Expansion

DraftKings executives said the agreement forms part of a wider effort to build momentum for DraftKings Predictions. They explained that this approach uses internal sports and technology expertise while adding more CFTC-regulated exchanges. The company stated the collaboration expands customer access to trading on sports and a wider range of prediction markets. This step also supports the ongoing evolution of the product toward a more complete and engaging experience. From Crypto.com’s perspective, the partnership creates a chance to extend the distribution of prediction markets beyond sports. That reach also covers cryptocurrencies, financials, companies, politics, culture, and entertainment, which feels notable. Company leadership described the connection with DraftKings as an important milestone.

Prediction markets operate in a different way from traditional sportsbooks by matching opposing contract positions. This approach removes wagers against an operator and avoids the operator assuming risk. To support pricing, DraftKings uses several market makers across its exchange. The company is also working on internal market-making capabilities designed for prediction markets. Although sports betting is legal in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, limits remain. Prediction markets function under federal oversight through the CFTC, which forms a separate regulatory framework.

Interest in sports-related prediction markets has risen since early last year, and the trend feels steady. This change started when Crypto.com and Kalshi introduced contracts connected to sporting events. DraftKings has joined companies such as FanDuel and Fanatics in launching new prediction market platforms. By contrast, Underdog Sports has focused on prediction markets rather than applying for sports betting licences. At the same moment, regulatory pressure increased as Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey filed lawsuits. These cases aim to stop operators from offering sports-related prediction contracts inside those states. Because of this, sportsbooks often limit prediction market sports offerings to states where no sports betting licences exist. Still, platforms like Kalshi continue to operate prediction markets across the United States.

Regulatory Uncertainty Continues to Loom Over Sports Prediction Markets

The regulatory outlook remains uncertain, and the situation feels unresolved. Although newly appointed CFTC Chairman Michael Selig has shown support for operators offering contracts, questions remain. Long-standing federal law has stated that markets linked to gaming are prohibited. Sporting events have also fallen under that definition in past interpretations. Across the industry, participants expect a final ruling on sports prediction markets to come later. Many believe the decision may arrive from the U.S. Supreme Court or Congress. A resolution may not happen until 2027 or later, which keeps timelines open.

The announcement of the DraftKings and Crypto.com partnership comes soon after Crypto.com launched its own prediction markets platform, OG. This platform offers event contracts that are registered under the CFTC, which defines its structure. OG also gives access to margin prediction contracts through Crypto.com’s federally licensed futures commission merchant. With this setup, OG becomes the first prediction markets platform to offer margin trading.