DraftKings has announced an agreement with Crypto.com | Derivatives North America to expand the prediction markets available through its DraftKings Predictions platform, introducing the first player-specific sports event contracts offered on the app for both the NFL and NBA.
The partnership adds a new exchange connection to DraftKings Predictions, which operates as a standalone product offering federally regulated event contracts under Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) oversight. DraftKings said the expansion broadens its sports prediction markets catalog and establishes the foundation for additional categories, including politics.
The announcement signals accelerating momentum in regulated U.S. prediction markets as major consumer-facing sports brands increasingly integrate CFTC-regulated event contracts into their product ecosystems, blurring the line between sports engagement and financial-style trading instruments.
Crypto.com partnership introduces first player-specific NFL and NBA contracts
DraftKings said the deal with Crypto.com marks the first time DraftKings Predictions will offer player-specific sports event contracts, expanding beyond broader game-level and outcome-based contracts.
The new exchange connection is expected to broaden access to sports prediction markets across the states where DraftKings Predictions is available, while also expanding the platform’s overall catalog of event contract products.
Jeanine Hightower-Sellitto, Senior Vice President and General Manager of DraftKings Predictions, said the agreement reflects DraftKings’ strategy of integrating additional regulated exchanges to enhance the platform’s reach and engagement.
“We’re continuing to build momentum behind DraftKings Predictions by leveraging our expertise across sports and technology and integrating additional CFTC-regulated exchanges like Crypto.com,” Hightower-Sellitto said. “This collaboration meaningfully expands customer access to trade on sports and a broader range of prediction markets and also reinforces our focus on delivering a more comprehensive and engaging experience as the product continues to evolve.”
The move indicates DraftKings is treating prediction markets as a growth product line, expanding beyond its core sportsbook and fantasy offerings into regulated event contract trading that can operate in markets where traditional sports betting is restricted.
Takeaway
DraftKings expands sports catalog beyond CME-backed financial markets coverage
DraftKings said the expansion adds breadth across sports prediction markets, covering soccer, MMA, golf, boxing, tennis, and the Olympic Games. This new scope is intended to complement the platform’s existing sports and financial markets infrastructure, which DraftKings said is currently provided by CME Group.
The partnership effectively diversifies DraftKings Predictions’ exchange relationships, with Crypto.com adding a broader set of sports markets and supporting the rollout of new event contract categories beyond athletics.
DraftKings said Crypto.com is expected to help support the platform’s future expansion into culture, entertainment, and politics, suggesting DraftKings is aiming to build a multi-category event contract marketplace rather than limiting the product to sports-only engagement.
The reference to political event contracts is notable, as prediction markets in U.S. politics remain an area of regulatory scrutiny and high consumer demand. DraftKings appears to be positioning itself early for a broader expansion should regulatory clarity improve.
DraftKings also confirmed that Railbird Exchange will be integrated into the platform in the coming months, further strengthening its exchange connectivity strategy.
Takeaway
Crypto.com frames DraftKings partnership as major distribution expansion
Crypto.com positioned the partnership as an important milestone for expanding the reach of its regulated prediction market products through a mainstream sports brand with national recognition.
Travis McGhee, Global Head of Predictions at Crypto.com, said the deal will broaden distribution not only for sports prediction contracts, but also for event contracts tied to cryptocurrencies, financial markets, and cultural categories.
“Crypto.com continues to lead the way with innovative collaboration. Connecting with DraftKings, a household name in sports, is an important milestone for us because it allows us to not only expand access to prediction markets in sports, but it grows our distribution to prediction markets on cryptocurrencies, financials, companies, politics, culture, entertainment and beyond,” McGhee said. “We are thrilled to work with DraftKings, and we look forward to creating an engaging experience together for customers across the country.”
The statement suggests Crypto.com sees prediction markets as a core strategic growth area, using partnerships to embed its event contract products into high-traffic consumer platforms rather than relying solely on its own ecosystem.
The partnership also reflects a broader trend in the U.S. market: prediction markets are increasingly being distributed through intermediaries and consumer brands, expanding access without requiring users to onboard directly with a derivatives exchange.
Takeaway
DraftKings Predictions targets regulated event contracts in key U.S. states
DraftKings said DraftKings Predictions allows eligible customers to make predictions through federally regulated event contracts, including sports contracts available in states such as California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
This regulatory structure is significant, as event contracts overseen by the CFTC operate differently from state-by-state sports betting laws. As a result, DraftKings Predictions may provide the company with a pathway to offer sports-linked trading products in markets where sportsbook licensing frameworks are either unavailable or highly restricted.
DraftKings also said the platform integrates its Responsible Trading program, with tools and resources available directly within the standalone app and via its web platform.
The emphasis on responsible trading suggests DraftKings is positioning prediction markets not only as entertainment, but also as a regulated trading-style product requiring risk awareness and consumer protection frameworks.
Customers can access the platform through the DraftKings Predictions standalone app for iOS and Android, as well as through the company’s dedicated web portal.
Takeaway
Deal highlights growing institutionalization of U.S. prediction markets
The DraftKings-Crypto.com agreement reflects a larger shift underway in U.S. market structure: prediction markets are increasingly being treated as regulated financial products, supported by exchange connectivity, clearing infrastructure, and broader asset category expansion.
Crypto.com | Derivatives North America is registered with the CFTC as both a designated contract market and a derivatives clearing organization, enabling it to offer trading and clearing of sports prediction contracts and event contracts tied to cryptocurrencies, financials, companies, and political outcomes.
For DraftKings, the partnership strengthens its positioning in a rapidly evolving sector where major consumer platforms are competing to offer more interactive, real-time engagement products that resemble trading rather than betting.
As the platform expands into player-specific contracts and potentially politics, the key strategic question will be whether prediction markets evolve into a long-term category comparable to options trading—rather than remaining a niche crossover product between finance and gaming.
