Bet on it: K25.ai eyes prediction market gap in Asia

You know an industry is big business when it has the attention of tech billionaires.

Earlier this month, Meta was reported to be incubating a smartphone app similar to Polymarket and Kalshi. It is also exploring partnerships with both prediction market firms, who are leading the space.

These sites allow people to bet real money – often via cryptocurrencies – on real-world events that range from the consequential (i.e., whether a certain politician will win an election) to the absurd (i.e., how many times US Vice President JD Vance will clap during an appearance).

This year, prediction market platforms are expected to see trading volumes of over US$240 billion, 370% higher than in 2025.

Photo credit: K25.ai

K25.ai, a Singapore-based firm that brands itself as an “information market” platform, is jumping on the opportunity. It may not have a product yet, but it has large ambitions and investor backing.

In June, the firm closed a US$10 million pre-series A round led by NewGenIVF Group at a US$100 million valuation. It had more than 40,000 waitlisted users as of the same month.

What’s giving investors the confidence that the prediction market model can work in Asia? And can it overcome regulatory hurdles to live up to the hype?

Not another Kalshi

The hype around prediction markets comes with hurdles.

This month, an investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed that Polymarket had hired creators to film themselves making fake trades and pocketing fake wins on near-perfect copies of its website.

Access to the platform in Singapore, where it’s deemed an unlicensed gambling site, has been blocked since January 2025. Polymarket also faces bans and restrictions in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

By branding itself as an information market platform, K25.ai is confident that it can sidestep the stigma against prediction markets in Asia.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

An underserved market

Building up legitimacy