Getting started on Catalyst takes a few minutes. You'll create a free account, purchase the Challenge, and be trading real Polymarket events on a simulated $10,000 account right away. Here's exactly how it works.
Step 1 — Create your account
Go to tradecatalyst.com and create your new account
Enter your first name, last name, email address, and create a password
Click Create Account
Check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link inside
Step 2 — Purchase the Challenge
Once your email is confirmed, you'll land directly in the app. Purchase the Challenge to activate your account.
One-time fee: $65 (currently available for $49)
Payment by credit or debit card
Your $10,000 simulated account is created 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
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
Your Unrealized Account Balance (Open P&L) updates as the market price moves
Your Realized Account Balance does not change until you sell or the market settles
Maximum position size: $1,000 per market
Tracking your progress
The top bar is visible across every page and always shows your current level, Realized Balance, Open P&L, Max Loss floor, and qualifying trade progress. For a deeper view of your evaluation — including win rate, equity curve, and category performance — go to the Performance tab.