Catenaa, Sunday, January 11, 2026-Prediction market platform Polymarket has introduced taker fees on its 15‑minute crypto markets, marking a shift from its long-standing zero-fee model for these fast-resolving contracts.
The fees apply only to short-duration “up or down” markets on bitcoin, ether, solana, and XRP. Most other Polymarket markets remain free to trade, and deposits and withdrawals of USDC are not charged by the platform, though third-party intermediaries may still levy fees.
Taker fees are collected from traders who remove liquidity and fund a Maker Rebates Program. Proceeds are redistributed daily in USDC to market makers to improve liquidity and tighten bid-ask spreads in the high-activity 15‑minute markets.
Specific fee levels were not disclosed, but examples suggest charges may reach about 3% when market odds are near equilibrium, declining as probabilities approach extremes.
The 15‑minute crypto markets have attracted algorithmic traders and market makers since launching in late 2025. Polymarket said the fee change is intended to support tighter liquidity and more efficient trading rather than act as a broad revenue source.
The rollout occurred quietly through documentation updates, with long-term and non-crypto markets continuing to operate fee-free under the revised structure.
Polymarket added taker fees to 15‑minute crypto markets, using proceeds to fund market maker rebates while most other markets remain free.
