Kalshi Files Application with U.S. CFTC to Enable Margin Trading for Platform Users

According to CNBC, prediction market platform Kalshi has submitted an application to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) through its clearing house Kalshi Klear, seeking to introduce margin trading in certain event contracts and allow eligible traders to use leverage.

Currently, event contracts on U.S. regulated exchanges require full collateral, and while Kalshi already offers leverage in its perpetual futures business, it has not yet been approved to apply this to prediction markets. Kalshi stated that the feature aims to attract more institutional liquidity, and if approved, it will only be available to self-clearing members meeting capital requirements, excluding sports, cultural, and "mention-type" markets. The company also plans to increase margin requirements as contracts approach expiration.