Why Prediction Markets May Be Crypto’s Most Durable Consumer Product
Gen Z is shifting crypto speculation from volatile altcoins to on-chain prediction markets due to economic pressures and distrust of token narratives.Summary
Facing economic hardship, including salaries significantly below the living wage, Gen Z crypto traders are moving away from speculative altcoins and meme coins toward on-chain prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi. This shift follows a massive altcoin market wipeout between late 2024 and 2025, which eroded trust in belief-driven token narratives and complex roadmaps. Prediction markets appeal because they distill speculation into binary, outcome-driven risks (yes/no), offering speed, autonomy, and clarity—qualities valued by a generation skeptical of centralized systems and 'ruggable' tokens. Volume on these platforms has surged, and awareness is significantly higher among younger demographics compared to older generations. Prediction markets utilize core crypto infrastructure like stablecoins and on-chain settlement, suggesting they are not a temporary trend but potentially crypto's most durable consumer use case in this post-token cycle environment, optimizing for probability over promises.
(Source：BeInCrypto)