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Kalshi referral code: signup bonuses and how the program works

Kalshi's referral program pays affiliates a share of fees from referred users. New-user bonuses are occasional and time-limited. Here's how to sign up, what bonuses might be available, and our legitimate referral link.

Prediction Markets 101 editorial team Updated April 16, 2026 6 min read

How Kalshi's referral program works

Kalshi's affiliate program works like most brokerage affiliate programs:

  1. You (the affiliate) get a unique referral URL
  2. A new user clicks the link and signs up
  3. The signup is attributed to the affiliate
  4. Affiliate earns a share of fees generated by that user

Specific commission rates and attribution windows vary over time and by affiliate tier. Kalshi runs tiered programs for content creators, algorithm developers, and major partners.

For the referred user, the core benefit of Kalshi is access — the platform is CFTC-regulated and legal in all 50 US states. Trading fees are transparent (a few cents per contract), there's no deposit minimum, and deposits are USD-native (ACH, wire, debit card).

Current signup bonuses

Kalshi has periodically offered new-user promotions:

  • Deposit matches (e.g., "Deposit $100, get $20 in trading credit")
  • Fee rebates for the first N trades
  • Zero-fee periods for specific market categories (e.g., political contracts during election season)
  • Contest entries where users who deposit a minimum get entered in drawings

Whether any of these is active right now depends on Kalshi's marketing calendar. Check the signup page directly for current terms.

Important: unlike shady sportsbook bonuses with impossible wagering requirements, Kalshi's bonuses are straightforward trading credits with simple terms. You can read the fine print in a minute.

  1. Click: kalshi.com/sign-up
  2. Complete signup with your email, phone, and KYC.
  3. Verify your identity (SSN last four, date of birth, address).
  4. Deposit via ACH, wire, or debit card. ACH is free; debit has a small fee.
  5. Start trading.

If Kalshi is running a new-user promotion at the time of your signup, it will apply automatically — you don't need to enter a code after clicking the referral link.

Why use our Kalshi referral

Same straightforward answer as the Polymarket version:

  • We earn a share of fees from users who sign up via our link
  • No cost to you — trading experience is identical
  • Revenue funds independent coverage — we don't run ads, sell email lists, or take sponsorships
  • Dual affiliate (Polymarket + Kalshi) means we have no financial incentive to favor one — we cover both honestly

If you're a US resident, signing up for Kalshi via our link is the single most useful action you can take to support this site. Thank you.

Kalshi signup: the complete step-by-step

  1. 1

    Open the signup page

    Go to kalshi.com/sign-up.

  2. 2

    Enter email and create a password

    Any email works. Use a strong password; Kalshi's account security is essentially the security for your funds.

  3. 3

    Verify phone number

    Kalshi requires SMS verification. Use your real number — they do fraud checks.

  4. 4

    Complete KYC

    Enter your legal name, date of birth, address, and SSN last four. Kalshi is CFTC-regulated and required to verify identity. Takes a few minutes; most users are verified instantly.

  5. 5

    Fund your account

    ACH (free, 1–3 business days), wire (fast, small fee), or debit card (instant, 1–2% fee). Minimum deposit is small — you can fund $20 and trade.

  6. 6

    Browse markets

    Kalshi's home page shows the biggest current markets. You can filter by category (Economics, Politics, Sports, Weather, Crypto) or search for specific topics.

  7. 7

    Place your first trade

    Click a market, read the resolution criteria, choose YES or NO, enter your size, review the fee, confirm. Trade executes against the live order book.

Total time: 10–20 minutes including KYC.

Who qualifies for Kalshi signup

  • Must be 18+
  • Must be a US resident (all 50 states + DC)
  • Must have a US bank account for funding/withdrawal
  • Must provide government ID (SSN) for KYC

Non-US residents cannot sign up for Kalshi. Non-US residents should use Polymarket instead.

Bonus-hunting is not the point

A word of caution. Kalshi's occasional signup bonuses are nice but shouldn't drive your decision to open an account. The main value of Kalshi is:

  • Legal access to prediction markets in the US
  • USD-native, no crypto complexity
  • 1099 tax reporting
  • Deep markets in economics, politics, sports, weather

A $20 deposit bonus is immaterial compared to the convenience of a regulated US platform. Don't wait for a promo — sign up when you want to start trading.

Referral programs for specific users

Content creators. Kalshi has dedicated affiliate terms for newsletter, YouTube, and podcast partners. Reach out to their affiliate team if you have an audience.

Algorithm developers. Kalshi has API-specific partnerships for developers who build trading tools and integrations. Different commission model — typically a share of fees from API-using accounts.

Community leaders. Organized trading communities (Discord, subreddits, trading clubs) can qualify for higher-tier affiliate terms with custom branding.

If you're evaluating multiple sources, all legitimate Kalshi referral links direct to kalshi.com's signup page with a unique ?referral= parameter. The format looks like:

kalshi.com/sign-up/?referral=[uuid]

Our referral link uses UUID dd261cfa-df07-4be0-a3ae-bc83b776e2d4. Any other format is either another affiliate or phishing — if it redirects to a non-kalshi.com domain, do not use it.

Taxes with Kalshi

Kalshi issues IRS Form 1099 for US users with reportable gains. This is handled automatically — no paperwork from you.

Trading gains are taxable as short-term capital gains (if held under a year, which most prediction positions are) or ordinary income depending on activity classification. For detailed tax guidance, see polytaxes.com.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does Kalshi have a welcome bonus?+

Periodically, yes — deposit matches or fee rebates. Check the signup page for any current offer. Not persistent.

What does a Kalshi referral code unlock for me?+

Depends on the current campaign. Most referrals attribute the signup to the affiliate. Some campaigns offer the referred user a deposit credit or fee rebate.

Is Kalshi legal where I am?+

If you're in the US, yes — all 50 states plus DC. If you're outside the US, Kalshi doesn't accept new users. Non-US users should look at Polymarket.

How long does Kalshi referral attribution last?+

Typically 90–180 days. Exact terms vary by Kalshi's current program.

Does the affiliate earn from my winnings?+

No. Affiliates earn from trading fees only, not from user winnings or losses.

Can I refer my friends to Kalshi?+

Yes, if you're enrolled in the affiliate program. Otherwise, sharing the link is fine but uncompensated.

What's the difference between a Kalshi referral link and a promo code?+

Referral links are persistent affiliate attribution URLs. Promo codes are short-term campaign codes that Kalshi distributes directly (not usually through affiliates).

Will Kalshi send me a 1099?+

Yes, if your gains exceed the reporting threshold. 1099s are issued automatically by end of January for the previous tax year.

Related reading

Polymarket referral code: how the program works (2026)

Polymarket's referral program pays partners 30% of trading fees from referred users for 180 days. Here's how it works, how to use a referral link, and why Polymarket doesn't have a traditional signup bonus.

How to sign up for Kalshi: the complete US signup guide

Sign up for Kalshi in 10 minutes. Full walkthrough: account creation, KYC, bank linking, first deposit, first trade. Kalshi is CFTC-regulated and legal in all 50 US states.

What is Kalshi? The first federally regulated US event-contract exchange

Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated designated contract market (DCM) that lets US residents trade event contracts on politics, economics, sports, weather, and crypto. Here's how it works and why it matters.

Polymarket vs Kalshi: the definitive comparison

Polymarket vs Kalshi, side by side. Fees, markets, regulation, UX, custody, taxes. The short answer: Kalshi if you're in the US, Polymarket if you're not. Here's the full reasoning.