Polymarket Announces Major Infrastructure Upgrade

Polymarket, the leading cryptocurrency-based prediction market platform, announced on April 6, 2026, a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade set to roll out over the next two to three weeks. The overhaul, described by the company as its largest since launch, includes the introduction of a new stablecoin called Polymarket USD to replace the bridged version of USDC known as USDC.e, along with a rebuilt trading engine and updated smart contracts.

The transition to Polymarket USD aims to eliminate reliance on cross-chain bridges, which carry risks such as exploits or delays. Backed 1:1 by Circle's USDC held in reserve, the new token will serve as the platform's primary collateral for trading while maintaining value stability. Polymarket operates on the Polygon network and processes billions in monthly volume, with recent data showing over $10 billion in March alone and approximately $1.25 billion in user funds across wallets, open interest, and total value locked.

For most of the platform's 2.5 million users, the change will occur seamlessly through the frontend interface, requiring only a one-time approval prompt to wrap existing holdings. Advanced traders and those using APIs will...