Skip to main content

What is Catalyst and how does it work?

Learn what Catalyst is, how the five-level Challenge works, and what you can earn.

Catalyst is a prediction market trading challenge. You pay a one-time fee to get started, trade a simulated $10,000 balance using live Polymarket market data, and earn fixed cash payouts by completing five levels.

The $10,000 Challenge balance is simulated. The markets, prices, and outcomes are real.

Here's how it works

  • Pay a one-time fee to purchase the Challenge — no subscription, no monthly charges

  • Trade real Polymarket events across politics, crypto, sports, economics, and more

  • Complete qualifying trades at each level while staying within the rules

  • Pass a level and the payout is automatically added to your Catalyst wallet

  • Withdraw earned payouts anytime

The five levels and their payouts

Each level requires a set number of Qualifying Trades completed within 30 days. From Level 2 onward, a $500 trailing Max Loss applies.

Level

Qualifying Trades

Max Loss

Payout

Level 1

2

None

Level 2

3

$500

Level 3

4

$500

$50

Level 4

5

$500

$200

Level 5

8

$500

$750

Total potential payouts: $1,000

There is no profit split. The payout amounts are fixed and defined before you place a single trade.

Challenge fee: $65 (currently available for $49). Catalyst currently offers one account type. Additional options may be available in the future.

Am I trading with real capital?

No. Your Catalyst account is simulated. Your $10,000 balance is not real money and you are not depositing funds or trading on a live exchange.

What is real

What is simulated

The market data — live Polymarket events with real-time pricing

Your $10,000 account balance

The outcomes — markets resolve based on actual real-world results

Your positions and P&L during the evaluation

The payouts — when you pass a level, you earn real cash

The trading environment itself

Did this answer your question?