Getting started on Catalyst takes a few minutes. You'll create a free account, purchase a challenge, and be trading real Polymarket events on a simulated account right away. Here's exactly how it works.
Step 1: Create your account
Go to tradecatalyst.com and click Start the Challenge.
Verify your mobile number by entering it with no spaces or symbols such as "+". You'll receive a text with a 6-digit code. Enter the code to verify.
Choose your account size.
Enter your first name, last name, email address, and create a password.
Click Create Account.
Step 2: Pick an account and purchase the challenge
Once you click Create Account, you'll land directly in the app. Now it's time to purchase the challenge to activate your account. You may pay for the challenge with a credit card, debit card, or crypto. Your challenge account is ready to begin trading immediately after purchase.
Step 3: Place your first trade
Your account is ready the moment your purchase is confirmed. Here's how to place your first trade.
Open the Trade tab.
Browse markets by category: All, Politics, Sports, Crypto, Finance, Geopolitics, Earnings, Tech, Culture, World, Economy, Climate & Science, Mentions, or Elections.
Select a market that interests you.
In the order ticket on the right, choose Buy.
Select your side, YES or NO (or UP / DOWN on price direction markets).
Enter your size.
Review total cost and total payout.
Click Buy to submit.
Scroll below the price chart to find the About section, it shows exactly how the market resolves, what data source is used, and the official determination time. Always read this before placing a trade.
What happens after your order fills
The position appears in your Portfolio and in the Positions panel on the right side of the Trade page
Open P&L updates as the market price moves.
Your balance including open positions moves with it.
Your realized account balance does not change until you sell or the market settles
The most you can trade in a single market is capped at your account's max position size.
Tracking your progress
The top bar is visible across every page and always shows your realized balance, open P&L, max loss floor, and qualifying trade progress. For a deeper view of your progress, including win rate, equity curve, and category performance, go to the Performance tab.