Polymarket is accessible in Antigua and Barbuda — the platform does not geoblock Antiguan and Barbudan IP addresses. The twin-island nation is a leading Caribbean offshore-finance and online-gaming jurisdiction, and it enacted a Digital Assets Business Act in 2020 to bring digital asset businesses under regulation. Here’s what users in Antigua and Barbuda need to know about using Polymarket.
Current Status: Accessible
Antigua and Barbuda is not on Polymarket’s geoblocked countries list. The platform is fully accessible from Antiguan and Barbudan IP addresses. Users can sign up, deposit, and trade on all available markets.
Crypto adoption in Antigua and Barbuda is still developing, and the local fiat currency — the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) — has limited direct support on major global exchanges. The most practical on-ramp is buying USDC on a global exchange via peer-to-peer trading or an international card.
The legal landscape for prediction markets in Antigua and Barbuda sits in a defined grey area. Digital asset businesses are regulated, but decentralized platforms like Polymarket and their individual users are not explicitly covered. There is no record of enforcement against Antiguan and Barbudan Polymarket users.
The Legal Landscape
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB)
Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), whose monetary authority is the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). The ECCB issues the regional currency, the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), and in 2021 it launched DCash, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) piloted across several ECCU members. DCash was later paused in 2024 as the ECCB recalibrated its digital strategy.
The ECCB has cautioned that digital asset investments such as Bitcoin are not authorized by regulators within the ECCU, and has flagged risks around unregulated crypto products. This underscores that crypto activity in the region is subject to regulatory scrutiny, even as individuals using overseas platforms remain largely unregulated directly.
Digital Assets Business Act 2020
Antigua and Barbuda enacted the Digital Assets Business Act, 2020 (Act No. 16 of 2020), which aims to regulate digital asset businesses operating in or from the country. Businesses engaged in digital asset services are required to hold a digital asset business licence issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC).
The Digital Assets Business Act primarily targets licensed businesses — exchanges, custodians, and similar service providers — rather than individual users of overseas platforms. Users of a decentralized platform like Polymarket are not directly required to hold a licence, but the framework signals that digital asset activity is recognized and increasingly regulated at the business level.
Gaming and Prediction Markets
Online betting and gaming are long-established in Antigua and Barbuda, which was one of the first jurisdictions to license online casinos. The Directorate of Offshore Gaming, part of the Division of Gaming under the FSRC, regulates online gaming operators.
Prediction markets specifically are not explicitly addressed under either the gaming framework or the Digital Assets Business Act. A crypto-based, decentralized platform like Polymarket sits in an unregulated gap between financial services regulation and gaming law. There is no explicit ban and no specific enforcement action against individual users.
How to Deposit from Antigua and Barbuda
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) is a small regional currency with limited direct on-ramp support on major global exchanges, so the most reliable route is buying USDC on a global exchange and transferring it to Polymarket.
Step 1: Buy USDC on a Global Exchange
| Exchange | XCD Support | Card Payments | P2P | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binance | No (limited) | Yes | Yes | Global leader; buy USDC via P2P or card |
| Bybit | No | Yes (via card) | Yes | Global exchange; buy USDC via card or P2P |
| OKX | No | Yes (via card) | Yes | Low fees; P2P available |
| KuCoin | No | Yes (via card) | Yes | Widely used globally; card purchase via partner |
Deposit Methods Explained
International Cards: If you have a Visa or Mastercard, you can often buy USDC or USDT directly on major exchanges such as Bybit, OKX, KuCoin, or Binance (where card purchases are available). Card purchases may carry higher fees and can be declined depending on your bank or card issuer.
P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Trading: On platforms such as Binance, peer-to-peer trading lets you buy USDC from sellers in the region using a bank transfer or other local payment method. P2P is a useful route when direct card or XCD deposits are not available.
Transfer from another exchange: If you already hold crypto on another platform, you can simply send USDC to your destination exchange before moving it on to Polymarket.
Step 2: Transfer USDC to Polymarket
- Go to Deposit on Polymarket
- Select Use Crypto and copy your deposit address
- Send USDC from your exchange to the Polymarket address
- Choose Polygon for the lowest fees ($3 minimum, arrives in seconds)
For the full walkthrough, see our How to Deposit on Polymarket guide.
Tax Implications
Antigua and Barbuda is widely known as a low-tax jurisdiction, and cryptocurrency gains are generally not subject to personal income tax or capital gains tax for individuals.
No Personal Income or Capital Gains Tax
- Antigua and Barbuda does not levy personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax on individuals.
- Tax residents are generally not taxed on worldwide income, which means profits from trading crypto or prediction markets are typically not subject to income or capital gains tax.
- Corporate tax applies to businesses (about 25% for most companies), and taxes can arise in specific circumstances involving corporate structures or certain business activities — so this reduction is most relevant to individuals trading personally.
Because tax law is nuanced and depends on your specific residency and how you trade (personally vs. through a business), you should confirm your situation with a tax professional. Exact rates are only certain at the general level described here.
Reporting Requirements
- As Antigua and Barbuda generally does not tax individual worldwide income, there is typically no local tax return obligation solely for crypto trading profits.
- If you trade for business purposes or through a company, you may be subject to corporate tax and should keep proper records.
- Keep detailed records of deposits, trades, and withdrawals regardless, in case your situation changes or you are subject to taxes elsewhere.
Getting Started
If you’re in Antigua and Barbuda and want to start trading on Polymarket:
- Sign up for Polymarket — under 2 minutes, no KYC required
- Buy USDC on Binance, Bybit, OKX, or KuCoin via P2P or an international card
- Deposit on Polymarket — transfer USDC via Polygon
- Place your first trade — start with a small amount
- Use limit orders to avoid taker fees — only taker orders pay fees on Polymarket
Related Guides
- How to Sign Up for Polymarket — Create your account
- How to Deposit on Polymarket — Full deposit guide
- How to Trade on Polymarket — Market orders, limit orders, and tips
- Polymarket Fees Explained — Fee breakdown by category