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Kalshi eyes valuation jump, Chess.com deal, and Clearwater's buyout

Reported by Axios
Jun 25, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Kalshi is reportedly in advanced talks to raise new funding at a $40 billion valuation, nearly doubling its May 2026 valuation of $22 billion following record trading volume and operational metrics.
  • • The prediction market platform's valuation has expanded approximately 20-fold in roughly one year, climbing from $2 billion in June 2025 to $22 billion in May 2026, with the latest discussions at $40 billion.
  • • Kalshi's May 2026 Series F round raised $1 billion at $22 billion valuation, led by Coatue Management with participation from Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, IVP, Paradigm, Morgan Stanley, and ARK Invest.
  • • Annualized trading volume surged to $178 billion (tripling from $52 billion in six months), with the platform recently achieving its first billion-dollar trading days and nearly $9 billion in weekly volume, driven by event-based trading activity including World Cup markets.
  • • Annualized revenue has surpassed $1.5 billion, demonstrating the platform's rapid monetization as institutional demand for prediction market exposure accelerates.
Summary
Kalshi, the U.S.-based prediction market platform, is reportedly pursuing a new funding round at approximately $40 billion valuation, according to reporting from the Financial Times cited by market sources. This valuation would represent an 82% increase from the company's confirmed $22 billion valuation achieved just weeks prior in May 2026. However, CNBC reporting noted that while valuation discussions are occurring, Kalshi is not actively raising capital at present, suggesting these discussions may reflect speculative positioning rather than active fundraising.

The valuation trajectory represents one of the fastest climbs in venture-backed fintech history. Kalshi was valued at $2 billion in June 2025, $5 billion in October 2025, $11 billion in December 2025, and reached $22 billion in May 2026—a 20-fold increase over approximately 12 months. This aggressive multiple expansion reflects both institutional capital appetite and demonstrable business acceleration.

Kalshi's May 2026 funding round, the company's confirmed Series F, raised $1 billion and was led by Coatue Management. The round included participation from marquee venture and institutional investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), IVP, Paradigm, Morgan Stanley, and ARK Invest. The syndicate composition signals institutional adoption of prediction markets as a legitimate alternative asset class.

Operational metrics support the valuation expansion. Annualized trading volume more than tripled in six months, increasing from $52 billion to $178 billion. The platform recently achieved its first billion-dollar daily trading volumes during a concentrated week of World Cup-driven trading activity, with weekly volumes reaching nearly $9 billion. Annualized revenue has surpassed $1.5 billion, demonstrating strong unit economics and platform monetization as institutional trading participation intensifies.

The reported $40 billion valuation discussions, if confirmed, would further validate the prediction market sector's expansion as a material institutional asset class. The timing coincides with regulatory clarity and increased event-driven trading demand across political, sports, and market-related outcomes.

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Sources

1 outlet

AlphaMaven summarised this story from the reporting below. Each link opens the original article.

Axios Kalshi eyes valuation jump, Chess.com deal, and Clearwater's buyout