Partnership brings event-based prediction markets to US
Crypto.com and online casino operator High Roller Inc. have formed a strategic partnership to launch event-based prediction markets in the United States. The agreement, announced on January 14, 2026, will focus on developing trade event contracts across multiple sectors including finance, entertainment, and sports.
These contracts will be offered through Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA), which is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as both a contract market and derivatives clearing organization. This regulatory status gives the partnership a solid foundation for operating in the US market.
I think what’s interesting here is how Crypto.com is positioning itself. They’re not just another crypto exchange anymore. They’re becoming a backbone provider for prediction markets, using their existing regulatory approvals to facilitate services for other companies. It’s a shift toward more enterprise-focused business models.
Stock market reaction tells the story
The market response has been dramatic. High Roller’s stock, trading under the ticker ROLR, surged more than 500% following the partnership announcement, reaching around $21 per share. That represents a new all-time high for the company.
Looking back, High Roller had previously peaked at about $8.60 shortly after its IPO in October 2024. The stock then declined through most of 2025, trading between $2.00 and $3.00 for much of that period. This recent surge suggests investors see real potential in the prediction markets expansion.
What’s perhaps more telling is that High Roller reported its first profitable quarter as a public company in Q3 2025, with $6.3 million in revenue. The company has been expanding in North America since 2022, starting with a Las Vegas office and planning a Canadian location.
A shift in business strategy
For Crypto.com, this partnership represents something of a strategic pivot. They’re leveraging their US regulatory registrations to serve as a conduit for High Roller’s customers. Instead of just being a consumer-facing platform, they’re positioning themselves as a B2B service provider.
This makes sense when you think about it. Prediction markets have been growing in popularity, but regulatory hurdles in the US have been significant. Crypto.com’s existing registrations give them a head start in this space.
The partnership formalizes what seems to be a broader strategy for Crypto.com. They want to be the infrastructure provider for prediction markets, handling the regulatory compliance and technical backend while other companies focus on customer acquisition and market development.
What this means for the sector
Event-based prediction markets allow people to trade contracts based on the outcome of specific events. Think sports results, election outcomes, or financial market movements. The US market has been relatively untapped compared to other regions, partly due to regulatory complexity.
This partnership could open up that market in a significant way. High Roller brings its experience in online gaming and customer engagement, while Crypto.com provides the regulatory framework and technical infrastructure.
It’s worth noting that prediction markets aren’t entirely new, but bringing them to mainstream US audiences through established platforms could change the landscape. The 500% stock surge suggests investors believe this could be a major growth area.
Still, there are questions. Regulatory approval is one thing, but actual market adoption is another. Will US customers embrace these markets? And how will they differ from traditional sports betting or financial derivatives?
Only time will tell, but the market reaction suggests plenty of optimism about this direction.
