Polymarket Adds Bitcoin Lightning Deposits via Spark

The decentralized prediction market platform Polymarket has integrated the Bitcoin Lightning Network for near-instant deposits, a move that significantly reduces funding times for traders on the fast-moving platform. The new feature, powered by the Spark payment protocol, was launched on July 8, 2026.

This integration allows users to deposit Bitcoin directly into their Polymarket accounts, with funds credited in under one second. Spark employs a "zero-confirmation" model, where it validates transactions for risks like double-spending at the broadcast stage before immediately crediting the deposit, assuming the confirmation risk itself. This system maintains a self-custodial framework, meaning users retain control of their private keys while Spark handles the payment routing infrastructure.

The upgrade represents a major improvement over Polymarket's previous on-chain Bitcoin deposit system, which was introduced in October 2025. That method required users to wait for three to six blockchain confirmations, a process that could take between 10 to 60 minutes and potentially lock traders out of favorable market entry points. The Lightning Network's speed and low transaction fees are...