Kalshi opens D.C. office, hires bipartisan policy leaders
Predictions market operator Kalshi plans to open a Washington, D.C., office and expand hiring across party lines as it seeks to grow its presence in the United States.
In a Monday announcement, the company said it appointed John Bivona, a former Biden administration official, as head of federal government relations, and Blake Bee, previously a senior manager for state and local public policy at Amazon. The additions come amid heightened scrutiny of prediction platforms by U.S. federal lawmakers and state authorities.
A company spokesperson said Kalshi operates as a neutral marketplace and is engaging with stakeholders on outreach to U.S. lawmakers, with potential involvement ahead of the 2026 elections.
Kalshi saw increased user activity after a 2024 court decision permitted the platform to list event contracts tied to U.S. elections. The firm is also facing legal actions in at least four U.S. states alleging it offered sports-related wagers without a license.
Kalshi remains one of the largest platforms in the sector, accounting for roughly two-thirds of total trading volume as of Jan. 12, according to Dune Analytics. Other active platforms include Polymarket and PredictIt.
Major platforms assess odds of a U.S. government shutdown
U.S. lawmakers face a deadline of midnight on Jan. 31 to pass a funding measure to keep the federal government open. As of Tuesday, the path forward was uncertain, with some Democrats seeking changes to Department of Homeland Security funding tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations in U.S. cities.
At the time of publication, Kalshi markets implied a 78% probability of a shutdown on Saturday, while Polymarket reflected a 79% chance. The most recent lapse in funding in October led to a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
Stay informed, read the latest news right now!
Disclaimer
The content on TrustsCrypto.com is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, always do your own research before making decisions.
Some content may be assisted by AI and reviewed by our editorial team, but accuracy is not guaranteed. TrustsCrypto.com is not responsible for any losses resulting from the use of information provided.
