Kalshi Traders Ages 18 to 21 Generated $5.4 Billion in Activity

Traders ages 18 to 21 generated about $5.4 billion in activity on Kalshi through August 2026, as the event-contract platform set a default monthly deposit limit for its youngest users.

Kalshi’s total trading volume exceeded $170 billion year-to-date by August. The $5.4 billion figure covers activity by traders in the 18-to-21 age group.

A survey of Kalshi and Polymarket participants found that more than 60% were under 35. Sports contracts were the leading category among those participants, while event markets also cover questions about weather and politics.

An event contract poses a yes-or-no question about an outcome. A trader can take a yes or no position and receives a payout if the chosen outcome occurs; otherwise, the trader loses the stake. That structure applies across topics, from weather forecasts to political outcomes.

Thomas Carvo, 28, trades weather contracts in multiple cities and uses his meteorology training. Carvo made money trading contracts related to Donald Trump’s 2024 election. Carvo views trading as a long-term pursuit rather than a quick score.

On Oct. 27, 2026, Kalshi introduced a default monthly deposit limit of $2,500 for users ages 18 to 20. The company has also partnered with youth safety organizations to promote responsible trading habits. The growth in young users’ activity has raised concerns about addiction and financial losses.

Kalshi is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the federal agency that oversees futures and derivatives. Its event contracts settle in dollars.