On December 3, Fanatics debuted Fanatics Markets, expanding its global brand to the prediction market space through a strategic partnership with Crypto.com.
Crypto.com and Fanatics Markets. Source: Crypto.com
At the beginning of December, global sports merchandiser Fanatics launched Fanatics Markets, a fan-led prediction market for events on sports, finance, and culture. In partnership with Crypto.com, it offers users from 24 U.S. states regulated access to real-time prediction markets.
Brief Overview of the Strategic Partnership
To build and launch Fanatics Markets, Fanatics formed a strategic partnership with leading crypto exchange Crypto.com, providing the prediction platform’s regulatory foundation. In particular, the app integrates Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA), a CFTC-registered exchange and affiliate of Crypto.com.
The collaboration enables Fanatics Markets to offer secure, compliant event contract trading to sports fans and the broader market. The prediction app aims to attract mainstream users by leveraging both Fanatics’ trusted brand and expansive ecosystem and Crypto.com’s compliance-focused infrastructure.
What Event Contracts Does Fanatics Markets Offer?
Right now, Fanatics Markets offers fan-driven trading markets for major sports, elections, economics, and cultural events. It’s a highly accessible platform with easy event navigation, a sleek interface, and straightforward trading contract management.
Fanatics Markets. Source: FanaticsMarkets.com
Fanatics Markets connects users to the Crypto.com derivatives exchange, which gives prediction market participants free rein on contract prices. On the app, users can choose to buy a “Yes” or “No” contract for any given event.
Each contract is priced between $0 and $0.99, and if the participant buys the right outcome, the contract pays them $1. If the purchased outcome is wrong, the contract will expire without a payout.
How Crypto.com Is Providing Mainstream Access to Prediction Markets
In September, Crypto.com became the first major cryptocurrency platform to hold Futures Commission Merchant (FCM), Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), and Designated Contract Market (DCM) licenses.
Since obtaining a full stack of Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) licenses, Crypto.com has partnered with various organizations to help boost their customer engagement through prediction markets. In addition to Fanatics, current partners include Hollywood.com, Underdog, Truth Social, and MyPrize.
As an established crypto exchange, Crypto.com has the technical and regulatory experience to provide companies with simple and secure prediction market offerings for sports, politics, economics, and more.
Fanatics Markets’ Geographical Availability
Fanatics Markets is currently available in 24 U.S. states and territories. On launch day, the platform went live in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah. Later on, the app launched in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Fanatics Markets’ coverage of real-time prediction markets is based on users’ physical location at the time of trading. Once a user physically moves to a state where the platform is not supported, they will not be able to manage their contracts or open new positions.
Why This Fanatics-Crypto.com Partnership Is So Effective
With Fanatics’ global reach, Fanatics Markets appeals to mainstream sports fans who want to support their favorite teams through a regulated prediction market platform. With Crypto.com’s CFTC-registered exchange, Fanatics can also provide event contract trading to states where their traditional sportsbook platform isn’t available.
Crypto.com predictions. Source: Crypto.com
The Fanatics global sports platform boasts over 100 million reachable sports fans, nearly 1,000 sports properties, and more than 5,000 athlete relationships. Additionally, the company frequently connects with new teams, player associations, and leagues, expanding its global network as it continues to enhance the fan experience.
Explaining Fanatics Markets’ Two-Phase Launch
The first phase of the Fanatics Markets launch started with the release of the prediction platform, which included contract trading for events in sports, finance, economics, and politics.
The second phase is scheduled to launch in early 2026 to introduce new event categories for outcome-based trading. These upcoming supported events include cryptocurrencies, stocks, IPOs, climate, technology, AI, pop culture, movies, and music.
Responsible Risk Management and User Protection Tools
Fanatics Markets remains committed to providing its users with risk management and protection tools to help them stay safe when trading event contracts. The app encourages them to trade responsibly and use the tools whenever necessary.
Let’s outline Fanatics Markets’ current suite of risk management tools:
- Deposit & Session Limits: Users can set clear boundaries for deposits and in-app sessions.
- Timeouts: The platform offers scheduled timeouts that users can set to disable their accounts temporarily.
- Self-Exclusion: Prevents access to the Fanatics Markets platform and other Fanatics gaming products for 1 year, 5 years, or “Lifetime”.
What Both Companies Say About the Partnership
In a blog article, Travis McGhee, Crypto.com Global Head of Predictions, voiced his support for the Fanatics-Crypto.com partnership. He said:
“We could not be more proud to be the partner of choice for Fanatics. And together, we will provide fans with a safe and compliant way to access prediction markets.”
Meanwhile, Matt King, Chief Executive Officer of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, mentioned his excitement for Fanatics Markets and how the platform will offer fans a simple yet rewarding way to engage with events across sports and culture. He mentioned:
“Now, with Fanatics Markets, we’re giving fans a safe, intuitive, and rewarding way to engage with the moments that move sports and culture. And to pick a side and profit along the way if their prediction is correct.”
Fanatics’ Growing Ecosystem of Sports Products
In the last two decades, Fanatics has evolved from a leading U.S. e-commerce sports merchandiser to a global sports platform entering digital markets. Post-pandemic, the company expanded its ecosystem to include live events, fan interactions, collectibles, and gaming.
Fanatics. Source: Fanaticsinc.com
With the launch of Fanatics Markets, the company enters the emerging prediction markets industry, which has reached nearly $28 million in combined trading volume from January to October of this year.
How to Start Trading Event Contracts
To start trading on Fanatics Markets, follow these simple steps:
- Get the Fanatics Markets app: Visit Fanatics Markets and download the mobile app (iOS and Android) by scanning the QR code.
- Find event contracts: Explore different event contracts or search for markets to trade on the platform.
- Trade safely and responsibly: Select an event and trade “Yes” or “No” contracts depending on your prediction.
Conclusion
As part of Fanatics’ digital expansion, Fanatics Markets launched as the first fan-led prediction market platform for sports, finance, and culture. It’s meeting the growing demand for exciting and regulated event contract trading across the U.S.
All of this is made possible through the strategic partnership between Fanatics and Crypto.com, enabling Fanatics Markets’ offerings to stay safe and compliant. With its full-stack CFTC licenses, Crypto.com continues to partner with leading organizations, helping them engage with their customers through prediction markets.
References
- Crypto.com Becomes First Major Crypto Platform to Obtain a Full Stack of CFTC Derivatives Licenses (Crypto.com)
- Fanatics Launches Fanatics Markets, the First Fan-Led Prediction Market at the Intersection of Sports, Finance, and Culture Through a Strategic Partnership with Crypto.com (Crypto.com)
- Prediction Markets: The Rise of Event-Driven Finance (Crypto.com)