CFTC Opens Prediction Market Rulemaking, Signaling Regulation Over Prohibition

The CFTC issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on March 12, 2026, launching formal evidence-gathering for permanent prediction market rules. This move followed the agency's February withdrawal of a proposed ban on political event contracts. The shift signals the regulator has chosen to build a durable oversight framework rather than prohibit trading. For market participants and compliance officers, the rulemaking comment period is the critical moment to shape the final rulebook.