New users can sign up with the Kalshi promo code WSHARP to receive a $25 trading credit. After your account is verified, trade at least $25 within 7 days to activate the $25 promo. The bonus is not withdrawable and expires after 7 days.

Keep reading to learn exactly how to claim the Kalshi new user promo as well as the eligibility rules.

Kalshi Promo Code

Trade $25, Get $25

Earn a $25 trading bonus after placing $25 in trades!

WSHARP

CLAIM OFFER

Valid strictly for new Kalshi accounts registered by legal U.S. residents aged 18 or older located in eligible states. To qualify for the $25 trading credit, users must apply a valid promo code at registration, fund their account, and complete $25 or more in cumulative settled trades within 30 days of account creation. Bonus credits are non-withdrawable, expire exactly 7 days after issuance, and carry a maximum risk of capital loss inherent to contract trading.

Kalshi Referral Code: Quick Facts & Details

Sign-up bonus Trade $25, get $25
Promo code WSHARP
How to qualify Trade $25 within 7 days of signing up
When it credits Instantly once you hit $25 in trades
Minimum deposit None stated, but you must trade $25
Age requirement 18+
Where it works All 50 states and D.C. (usage availability varies)
Last verified October 2026

What is the Kalshi Bonus in October 2026?

The Kalshi promo rewards new users with a $25 trading credit after they sign up with the referral code WSHARP. There is no minimum deposit required, but you must trade at least $25 in event contracts to activate the bonus. Your outcomes do not have to be successful to get the $25 in free trades. The $25 credit can be broken up and used across multiple smaller trades.

Kalshi is a legal and regulated prediction market app where users trade “Yes” or “No” contracts on the outcome of future events (sports, politics, culture, etc.), with prices reflecting the likelihood based on how much is being traded on each side. For a deeper look at market depth, actual fees, comparisons to sportsbooks, and potential risks, read our full Kalshi review.

Note: You may see the offer described online as a “Kalshi referral code”, “Kalshi promo code”, or “Kalshi invite code”. These all refer to the code you need to unlock the Kalshi welcome bonus. However, the bonus offer amount can vary by the promo code you use.

Kalshi referral code

How to Claim the Kalshi Sign-Up Bonus: Step-by-step Guide

Claiming the Kalshi promo code is a simple process and isn't dissimilar to how you redeem a sportsbook bonus. Here's a quick step-by-step guide on how to sign up and activate the promo in October 2026:

  1. Download the Kalshi app.
  2. Sign up with your Google account or email.
  3. Enter the email verification code to continue.
  4. Create a password.
  5. After entering your phone number, click “Got a promo code?” and enter code WSHARP before clicking “Next”.
  6. Enter the verification code texted to your phone number.
  7. Proceed with KYC verification, including full name, address, birthday, etc.
  8. Complete identity verification (could include a selfie and your government photo ID).
  9. Deposit funds using your preferred payment method.
  10. Place $25 worth of trades within 7 days.
  11. Once you reach $25 in trade volume, the $25 trading bonus is automatically credited to your account.

Kalshi promo code box at sign up

Kalshi Sign Up Tips: How to Ensure You Get the Promo

To make sure you don't have any hiccups while claiming the Kalshi bonus, follow these basic tips:

  • It’s trade volume, not a single trade: You don't need to place a $25 trade in one go to qualify for the offer; you just need to trade $25 worth of contracts total (within 7 days).
  • 7-day window to qualify: The clock to fulfill the $25 in trades starts the moment you create your account, not from your first deposit.
  • Code must be used within 72 hours: Enter the Kalshi promo code during registration or within 72 hours to claim the bonus. If you forgot during sign-up, click the gift icon in the top-right corner of the app and click “Have a Code?”.
  • Where to check your progress: Check your progress toward the $25 trade requirement by clicking “Portfolio” in the app and viewing your past trades.

If the trade credit does not apply to your account within 24 hours, make sure you’ve traded the full $25, or contact customer support for further assistance.

Kalshi Promo Code: Key Terms & Conditions

Before you get started on Kalshi, you should understand these terms and conditions of the sign-up offer:

  • One per customer (18+): Limited to one bonus per verified SSN/identity. Duplicate accounts get banned.
  • $25 total trading volume: Place $25 total in trades across any markets. You don't have to spend $25 on a single trade.
  • Deposit what you need: There is no minimum deposit for the offer, but you need to place at least $25 in trades.
  • Instant trigger (no need to win): The bonus unlocks as soon as you break the $25 trading threshold. You don't have to wait for events to finish or win.
  • Profits cash out instantly: Credits are non-withdrawable. However, any profits from winning trades are converted directly to withdrawable cash. The initial bonus stake disappears after it is used in a trade.
  • 7-day expiry: Bonus credits arrive immediately (up to 24 hours) and expire in exactly 7 days if unused.
  • Any available market: Qualifying trades and bonus trades can be used on any market, including sports, politics, weather, or economics (whatever is legal in your state).

What is the Kalshi Bonus Actually Worth?

The “Trade $25, Get $25” Kalshi promo isn't free cash. It’s a site credit designed to get your foot in the door. Here is how it actually works in real dollar terms, not marketing hype:

  • The stake disappears: Like a sportsbook “bonus bet,” Kalshi only pays out the net profit from successful trades using bonus credits. If you put the entire $25 bonus on a 50¢ coin-flip contract and win, you walk away with $25 in cash (not $50).
  • Expected real-world value is around $12 to $15: Because you only keep the winnings (and standard fees still apply), mathematically converting $25 in credit into withdrawable cash yields roughly half its face value on fair markets.
  • Use it or lose it in 7 days: The free trading credit expires exactly one week after hitting your balance. If you don't trade it before the 7-day clock runs out, the bonus vanishes.
  • Profits are instantly withdrawable: Once your bonus trade settles as a win, you can withdraw the winnings immediately. You can pull the money straight back to your bank account. However, the $25 credit itself is not withdrawable and must be used on trades.

The bottom line: It’s a solid 50% discount on your first few trades if you already plan to use Kalshi. Just don't treat it like $25 in cash.

Kalshi vs. Polymarket: Which Bonus is Better?

When it comes to prediction market sites, Kalshi and Polymarket US are the industry leaders. Both platforms offer upfront trading credits for new users, but they differ significantly in commitment and bonus size. Polymarket offers a larger headline bonus on a lower deposit, while Kalshi requires active trading to unlock its credits.

Here's how they compare:

Feature Kalshi Polymarket US
Welcome Bonus Trade $25, Get $25 Deposit $10, Get $25
Promo Code WSHARP SFA
Trigger Requirement Must trade $25 in real money contracts Deposit $10+ (No initial trade needed)
Credit Stake After a Win Credit is a single-use token that vanishes upon settlement Credit stays in your account and can be traded again
Profit Cashout Withdrawable cash immediately upon win Withdrawable cash immediately upon win
Bonus Usage Window 7 days N/A

The verdict: Polymarket US wins based on lower risk and more upside. By offering $25 in credits for just a $10 deposit, Polymarket gives you a 250% bonus return with no requirement to risk real money on trades first. Kalshi requires you to place $25 in trades before getting the $25 bonus, making Polymarket’s offer far friendlier for low-stakes beginners looking to test the waters.

Additionally, Polymarket also offers a “sticky credit” model for its trading credits. If you place a successful trade using a Polymarket credit, you receive the profit from the trade as withdrawable cash plus the initial credit loops back into your account to be used again. At Kalshi, the trading credit stake disappears after it's used in a trade, win or lose. This gives the Polymarket sign-up bonus another significant edge.

Get More Bonus Value: Refer Friends Once You Have an Account

The Kalshi promo code is only the first step. Existing users earn more trading credits by inviting their friends, but it operates under a strict two-way trading requirement and randomized payouts (up to $2,000).

  • Unlock your Kalshi referral link: You can start earning referral bonuses after you trade at least $25 in contracts on your own account.
  • Activate the referral bonus: Your friend must sign up with your unique link, complete identity verification, and place at least $25 in trades within 7 days.
  • Get your randomized bonus (up to $2,000): Kalshi referral bonuses are mystery-box style. While advertised up to $2,000 per referral, most payouts land between $10 and $25 in trading credits. Both you and your friend receive independently randomized credits.
  • Strict expiration: All earned referral credits expire after 7 days if unused.
  • One offer only: A new user can only use a public Kalshi promo code or a friend's referral link (you can't stack them into a single sign up).

Kalshi referral bonus

Where is the Kalshi Promo Available?

While Kalshi is legal in all 50 states, access and what's available in each state differ. For example, not all Kalshi legal states offer sports trading. On that same note, the Kalshi promo code is currently unavailable in 9 states:

  • Arizona
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • Ohio
  • Washington

If you live in any other state, nothing is stopping you from signing up and claiming the bonus.

Note: State-level promo availability shifts frequently as regulations change and ongoing litigation evolves. The only way you can truly know if the Kalshi promo code is available in your state is to download the app and enter the code during registration. The app will automatically verify whether your account qualifies under local regulations.

Methodology: How We Tested the Kalshi Bonus

To verify how the Kalshi “Trade $25, Get $25” promotion works, we tested the entire process from start to finish. We signed up with the WSHARP code and deposited an initial $30 into a new account using bank transfer, which credited instantly for trading.

We placed two separate real-money trades on NFL Week 2 games to hit the $25 volume requirement: A $15 trade on the Rams moneyline and a $12 contract on the Giants spread. As soon as both orders were filled, the $25 bonus credit hit our account balance (there was no waiting period).

After receiving the bonus, we traded $25 in credits across several NFL Week 3 markets (testing moneyline, spread, total, and props trades). We finished with just under $19 in winnings, which went directly to our cash balance. We withdrew the winnings back to the same bank account via ACH. The funds cleared in just under 24 hours with zero hidden processing fees.

Kalshi example trade for an NFL game

Responsible Trading

You must be at least 18 years old to use this platform. Kalshi is a federally regulated exchange under the CFTC, not a state-licensed sportsbook. The responsible gambling tools and state self-exclusion lists that cover sportsbooks such as DraftKings or FanDuel do not automatically cover this platform.

That said, Kalshi offers several responsible trading tools in the “Account & security” section of the app, including self-exclusion, personalized funding cap, trading limits, and a daily session time limit.

The sign-up bonus is trading credit, not free cash, and using it can still expose your deposited funds to loss. If you're concerned about your gambling or trading, call or text 1-800-MY-RESET for confidential support.

Is the Kalshi Referral Code Worth Using?

Yes, the promo code for Kalshi is worth claiming if you're interested in prediction market trading or want to trade non-sports markets, such as politics, the weather, pop culture, or world events. It's also a great option for users in states where sports betting is still illegal.

From a purely promotional standpoint, the “Trade $25, Get $25” offer requires a bit more out-of-pocket commitment than Polymarket's “Deposit $10, Get $25” deal. You have to actually place $25 in trades within your first 7 days, whereas Polymarket triggers upon a modest $10 deposit. However, the Kalshi bonus still carries nice value:

  • Great for prediction market beginners: Trading on prediction markets isn't the same as sports betting. An extra $25 in credits effectively gives you a cushion while learning how the platform works.
  • Immediate cashout on wins: Unlike some sportsbook and casino bonuses, there are no predatory 10x or 20x playthrough requirements. If you win a trade using your bonus credits, you can simply withdraw the winnings as cash.
  • Unlocks the referral engine: Completing your initial $25 in trading unlocks the bonus and activates your own personal referral link. This allows you to keep earning trading bonuses (up to $2,000) for each friend you get to sign up.

At the end of the day, we recommend claiming both the Kalshi and Polymarket bonuses. That way, you get more value while also having two platforms to compare prices.

Kalshi Promo Code | FAQs

Does Kalshi have a sign-up bonus?
New users can register with the Kalshi promo code WSHARP and trade $25 in contracts to receive an instant $25 trading credit (must be completed within 7 days after signing up).
What is the Kalshi referral code?
The Kalshi referral code is WSHARP. At Kalshi, the term “referral code” is interchangeable with “promo code” and “invite code”. It’s the code you enter during signup to get the “Trade $25, Get $25” bonus.
How long do Kalshi bonus credits last?
Seven days. Once you receive your $25 in Kalshi trading credit, you must use it within 7 days, or it will expire from your account.
Do you need a winning trade to get the bonus?
The Kalshi sign-up bonus is “Trade $25, Get $25”. The promo is awarded immediately after you place your first $25 in trades, regardless of whether your qualifying trades win or lose.
Can you withdraw Kalshi bonus credits?
Kalshi trading credits are not withdrawable for cash. Only profits gained from winning contracts can be withdrawn. The bonus credits must be used to place trades.
Is the Kalshi promo available in my state?
As of October 2026, the Kalshi sign-up bonus is unavailable in nine states: AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NV, OH, and WA.
How much is the Kalshi referral bonus for inviting friends?
The Kalshi referral bonus for inviting friends is randomized each time. It can be as high as $2,000, but most prizes are $25 or lower. Both you and your friend each earn a random bonus once your friend signs up and trades $25.

Disclaimer: The Kalshi referral code WSHARP is our affiliate code for the $25 trading bonus. We may receive compensation when you sign up through our code.