TL;DR
- Fanatics is launching a partnership with Crypto.com to build a prediction market platform that will allow users to bet on events.
- The company already holds licenses in 23 states and will need to adapt its product to different regulatory frameworks.
- The platform could use Crypto.com’s digital infrastructure to enable real-time payments and settlements.
Fanatics is moving forward with a direct expansion into the prediction market business through a partnership with Crypto.com.
The company will use this alliance to develop a platform that allows users to wager money on the outcomes of real-world events within a regulated and growing environment. Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, confirmed that the product will arrive on the market in the coming weeks, although he has not yet detailed how it will operate or which sectors it will initially cover.
Fanatics Already Holds Licenses in 23 States
The new service is built on a commercial foundation that already exists. Fanatics holds licenses to operate in 23 U.S. states, and the company believes the remaining 27 also show strong demand, although regulatory frameworks could limit its expansion. The company makes it clear that this structure will be a decisive factor in the product’s commercial rollout. Each state defines its own regulatory framework for betting and prediction markets, which forces the platform to adapt to different rules.
Prediction markets allow any verifiable event to be turned into an outcome that people can bet on. Elections, sports results, award ceremonies, macroeconomic data, corporate launches, and any relevant indicator can serve as the basis for a market.
Polymarket and Kalshi Continue Adding Competitors
Fanatics is historically tied to sports, so it is reasonable to expect an initial focus in that sector, although Rubin avoided confirming this publicly. Crypto.com contributes its technology, expertise in digital infrastructure, and a broad user base.
The company has not explained whether the platform will use blockchain networks or native crypto processing. The involvement of Crypto.com suggests that the architecture could leverage digital payments, real-time verifiable records, and automated settlements, but that information is not yet official. The launch will bring more clarity regarding the integration.
Fanatics will compete with platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, which have seen explosive growth in recent months. Both have demonstrated strong demand for simple, transparent, and accessible mechanisms for wagering.
