Highlights from the @DegenzLive podcast with @Polymarket CMO @MatthewModabber - Poly token - X Badges - Airdrop and much more $POLY token: utility, airdrop, and valuation Launch context: The token is expected in 2026, but it is already part of global plans as a core utility for the ecosystem. It’s not just a speculative asset but a tool for the truth economy - monetizing uncertainty through predictions. Utility: Holders of “X badges” will vote for new markets and the addition of new short-term bets on sports/BTC. Staking: To reduce fees and boost liquidity, staking $POLY will enable 0% commission on trades. Liquidity mining: Integration with partners (DraftKings, World App) - staking provides deposit bonuses (similar to the current 10% in WLD) Airdrop: Retroactive, without farming - for “real contributors”: active traders with volume >$1K, no sybil attacks Matthew: “This is not for bots, but for those who built collective intelligence. Expect 5–10% of the supply in the airdrop to reward early adopters and motivate retention.” 1) Focus on fundamentals -and with market accuracy over 90%, $POLY becomes “stable value capture.” Quote: “The token is not the endgame but an unlock for institutions who want to hedge on real-world events.” 2) Badge-based marketing: exclusivity strategy What it is: Polymarket introduced X badges as on-chain/NFT-like marks for top users (e.g., “Whale Trader” for >$10K volume, “Truth Oracle” for accurate predictions, active CT Poly). They are displayed in user profiles on the platform and integrated with X/Twitter (via API) - visible near the username. 3) Strategy: Not mass marketing but “quality over quantity” - badges only for CT (Crypto Twitter) influencers and high-impact creators (like @Tyler_Did_It or VCs such as Mason Nystrom). Modabber compares it to Kalshi: “They give badges to anyone who posts - we focus on exclusivity so that badges become a status symbol. Integration: With World App- a badge gives a +5% deposit bonus. With DraftKings - cross-promo (show a badge and get a free bet). Effect: Retention +192% in a month (discussion data), viral growth through social proof. Quote: “Badges aren’t a gimmick but gamification of truth-seeking. They motivate users to share insights and opinions rather than farm. We saw +300% engagement from badge-holders on X.” Comparison with rivals: Kalshi wins in quantity (badges for everyone), but @Polymarket wins in prestige - badges as a digital ID for the ecosystem. Modabber’s background: Started in marketing, worked in startups (including crypto projects). Joined Polymarket in 2023 when the platform was still “underground” due to regulations. He emphasizes the transition from a niche tool to a mainstream platform with over $3B in trading volume (especially during the 2024 elections). Polymarket and DraftKings: regulations and partnerships They’re discussing integration with DraftKings (a traditional bookmaker). Polymarket purchased a regulated exchange for $112M to re-enter the U.S. market. Regulatory hurdles (CFTC fine in 2022 for $1.4M for operating without a license) have been overcome -the focus now is on compliance. Partnerships: with NHL, MLP (pickleball), and World App (Worldcoin) - not just marketing, but experiments in information liquidity: fans trade outcomes of games/players in real time via smart contracts. Return to the U.S.: After being banned in 2022, the platform focused globally. Now - legalization: NYSE invested $2B, valuing Polymarket at around $9B. Full U.S. launch expected in 2025 (84% probability on Polymarket). This opens access to 10M+ Stocktwits users and major institutions. $POLY token and airdrop: No official announcement yet, but Modabber shared that the token will serve for governance, staking, and fee reduction. irdrop - for early users (no farming, based on real activity). Risks: high valuation could lead to volatility, but its utility in “truth volatility” (monetizing uncertainty) is the key to sustainability. Additionally: Competition: Kalshi ($950M volume) - a regulated rival, but Polymarket wins in crypto primitives (USDC, on-chain settlement). Future: Short-term markets (15-min BTC bets) for retention; integration with casinos to attract gamblers. Risks: Some manipulation still occurs, but decreasing - on-chain transparency and arbitrage minimize the risks.