Tag: Prediction

What Is ForbesPredict? Forbes’ Token-Based and Risk-Free Take on Prediction Markets

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Forbes is experimenting with prediction market mechanics, but crypto gamblers should not mistake it for a new on-chain wagering product. The media company has launched ForbesPredict, a token-based forecasting platform designed to increase reader engagement, not enable real-money or crypto betting.

At a glance, ForbesPredict may look familiar to users of other platforms, which may use stablecoins and blockchain settlement to price real-world outcomes. The similarity ends there. ForbesPredict operates entirely off-chain, with no smart contracts, no wallets, and no financial settlement of any kind. ForbesPredict does not allow users to risk capital. There is no trading, no liquidity, and no ability to cash out.

Instead, users earn internal tokens based on forecast accuracy. These tokens are non-transferable, have no monetary value, and function more like reputation points than crypto assets. Performance is tracked over time, allowing users to compare their accuracy against the broader audience.

Embedded Forecasting Inside News Content

ForbesPredict is integrated directly into articles as interactive widgets. Readers are prompted to answer outcome-based questions related to the story they are reading, covering politics, business, sports, entertainment, weather, and breaking news.

Users can indicate confidence levels using a sliding scale and see how their forecast compares with others in real time. As events unfold, Forbes sends updates through email, SMS, push notifications, or onsite alerts, encouraging users to revisit predictions.

For crypto gamblers familiar with live markets that reprice continuously, this experience is closer to sentiment polling than market making. There are no odds, no spreads, and no arbitrage opportunities. Keeping that in mind, Forbes is positioning ForbesPredict as a gamified engagement layer, not a betting or prediction market product. The company is focused on increasing session depth, repeat visits, and daily usage as traditional traffic sources decline.

New users receive a limited number of tokens to test the platform. Registered users unlock performance tracking, prediction history, and additional prompts. Forbes has also indicated that tokens may be awarded for non-predictive actions such as completing user profiles, reinforcing that the system is designed around engagement rather than risk. This is in contrast to platforms where capital commitment is central to signal strength and market pricing.

Why Crypto Gamblers Should Pay Attention

ForbesPredict highlights a clear divide emerging in the prediction market ecosystem. This model may appeal to users who enjoy outcome analysis but want zero wallet friction and zero downside. It also reflects a broader trend as mainstream publishers borrow mechanics pioneered in crypto markets while stripping out financial risk.

Unlike media outlets that partner directly with real-money or crypto prediction platforms to display market prices, Forbes is keeping predictions internal. Monetization will come through sponsorships, branded prediction prompts, and advertising placements within the widgets.

Beyond engagement, ForbesPredict feeds sentiment data into ForbesOne, the company’s first-party data platform. This allows Forbes to build audience segments based on opinions and confidence around specific topics, brands, and trends. They certainly came in well prepared.

Underdog and Crypto.com Launch Sports Prediction Markets in 16 U.S. States

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The U.S. gambling industry continues to expand as Underdog, a fantasy and sports gaming operator, partners with Crypto.com to bring sports prediction markets to 16 states. The move is particularly significant because it targets regions where legal sports betting has not yet been adopted, offering players a new way to engage with the activity.

The partnership relies on Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA), a CFTC-registered exchange that will supply the sports event contracts. These contracts will be fully hosted on Underdog’s platform, allowing players to trade on sporting outcomes in a regulated marketplace. Travis McGhee, managing director and global head of capital markets at Crypto.com, emphasized that CDNA was the first to offer sports event contracts and that teaming with Underdog ensures wider access to these innovative products.

By combining Crypto.com’s exchange infrastructure with Underdog’s sports-focused platform, the companies aim to provide a seamless and trusted experience that blends elements of financial trading with traditional betting.

Filling the Gaps in U.S. Sports Betting

The new prediction markets are particularly relevant in states where commercial sportsbooks remain blocked. California and Texas, the country’s two most populous states, still do not allow legal sports betting. Meanwhile, in Florida, the Seminole Tribe maintains exclusive control over sports wagering through its Hard Rock casinos and sportsbooks.

Prediction markets present an alternative since they operate under federal oversight rather than state gaming regulators. Analysts note that this structure could help platforms avoid the delays and legal battles that have slowed down sportsbook expansion in large markets.

Industry experts have naturally taken notice. Analysts estimated earlier this year that sports prediction markets could generate $555 million in revenue in 2025. While still far below the $16 billion generated by legal online sports betting in 2024, the figure highlights a rapidly growing sector with the potential to expand far beyond niche status.

Underdog Positions Itself as a Leader in Prediction Gaming

Underdog is the first sports-focused gaming company to fully embrace prediction markets, a space that is attracting attention from both the gambling and financial sectors. The company’s CEO, Jeremy Levine, has said that the future of prediction markets lies in sports, and Underdog intends to be at the center of that growth.

The platform allows users to buy and sell outcomes of sporting events, with odds adjusting dynamically based on market activity rather than a bookmaker’s line. This trading-style model appeals to younger and tech-savvy players, creating an experience that blends the thrill of sports betting with the strategy of financial markets.

Other major players are also exploring this field. Robinhood, Kalshi, and Polymarket already offer contracts on sporting events, while FanDuel recently announced a partnership with CME Group to explore financial event contracts. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins has also expressed interest in entering the space, signaling growing competition.

Still, Underdog’s partnership with Crypto.com gives it a strong early-mover advantage. The deal ensures access to 16 states and aligns the company with one of the largest names in crypto trading. As casino and sports betting audiences continue to evolve, this development signals the beginning of a new chapter where prediction markets could become a mainstream complement to traditional wagering.