Drift Protocol Launches BET: A New Prediction Market Service on Solana
Drift Protocol, a trading platform based on the Solana blockchain, has recently announced the integration of a new prediction market service called BET.
While inspired by the model of Polymarket, a well-established platform on Ethereum and Polygon, allowing users to bet on binary outcomes such as election results, Drift aims to differentiate itself by offering additional features and deeper integration with decentralized finance (DeFi).
Expanding Drift’s Services
Primarily known for its perpetual contracts, Drift is expanding its offerings. The BET service allows users to bet on various outcomes, such as election results, using a wide range of cryptocurrencies as collateral.
Unlike Polymarket, which is limited to USDC, Drift accepts over 30 different cryptocurrencies as collateral, potentially attracting a new user base.
Complete Integration with DeFi
Drift is not simply copying Polymarket; it is adding a DeFi dimension to its prediction markets. Users can, for example, earn yields on their collateral while waiting for event outcomes to be known. This feature aims to make prediction markets more appealing to users already involved in the DeFi ecosystem.
Prediction markets, although still relatively new in the crypto space, are gaining popularity, especially during election cycles. They allow traders to bet on the outcome of real-time global events, often with significant amounts at stake, offering the opportunity for insiders to “sell” their information.