Prediction Markets as the Next-Gen Data Asset Class: How CNN's Kalshi Partnership Signals Mainstream Adoption and Investment Potential

The rise of prediction markets as a next-generation data asset class is no longer a speculative concept but a tangible shift in how information is monetized and consumed. At the forefront of this transformation is Kalshi, a U.S.-based prediction market platform, whose recent partnership with CNN marks a watershed moment in mainstream adoption. By integrating real-time market-driven probabilities into news coverage, CNN and Kalshi are redefining the intersection of media, finance, and public sentiment. For investors, this collaboration signals not just a technological leap but a structural validation of prediction markets as a high-growth asset class.

The CNN-Kalshi Partnership: A New Media-Finance Synergy

In December 2025, CNN announced an exclusive partnership with Kalshi to embed real-time prediction market data into its news programming. This collaboration, led by CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten, will feature Kalshi's odds on political, economic, and cultural events via on-air tickers and digital platforms. The partnership is exclusive among major news networks, sidelining competitors like Polymarket from similar media integrations.

This move reflects Kalshi's strategic positioning as a data provider for mainstream audiences. By leveraging CNN's reach, Kalshi transforms its platform from a niche speculative tool into a real-time barometer of public expectations. For CNN, the partnership offers a competitive edge in data-driven storytelling, aligning with the network's broader push into digital and subscription-based content.

Kalshi's explosive growth is best visualized through a dynamic lens.

Kalshi's Explosive Growth and Market Validation

Kalshi's partnership with CNN is underpinned by its meteoric growth in 2025. The platform achieved $50 billion in annualized trading volume, a 16,667% increase from $300 million in 2024, capturing over 60% of the global prediction market. This growth is fueled by regulatory milestones, including Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approvals, and high-profile events like U.S. elections and sports tournaments (https://medium.com/@monolith.vc/prediction-markets-2025-polymarket-kalshi-and-the-next-big-rotation-c00f1ba35d13).

Kalshi's valuation also soared to $11 billion following a $1 billion funding round led by top-tier investors such as Paradigm, Sequoia Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/business/dealbook/kalshi-prediction-market-billion.html). These developments underscore institutional confidence in prediction markets as a scalable data infrastructure. Meanwhile, the broader industry is projected to grow at a 46.8% annual rate, reaching $95.5 billion by 2035.

Regulatory Challenges and Institutional Backing

Despite its momentum, prediction markets remain a regulatory gray area. The CFTC and other agencies are still navigating how to classify these markets-whether as derivatives, gambling, or a new asset class altogether. Kalshi's compliance-first approach, including its U.S.-only operations and adherence to CFTC rules, has positioned it as a model for future regulation.

Institutional backing further legitimizes the sector. Polymarket, another major player, recently secured $2 billion in funding from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. This trend suggests that prediction markets are no longer fringe experiments but a serious financial infrastructure attracting traditional capital.

Investment Implications: A High-Conviction Opportunity

For investors, the CNN-Kalshi partnership and the sector's growth metrics present a compelling case. Prediction markets aggregate collective intelligence, offering predictive insights that rival traditional financial assets. As Kalshi's CEO has noted, these markets could rival stocks in significance within a decade.

However, risks persist. Regulatory shifts could disrupt the sector, and market volatility remains a concern. Yet, the current trajectory-marked by $50 billion in trading volume and $11 billion in valuation-suggests that prediction markets are here to stay. Early adopters, including institutional investors and media giants, are already betting on their future.

Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift in Data and Finance

CNN's partnership with Kalshi is more than a media innovation-it is a harbinger of a broader economic shift. By democratizing access to predictive analytics, prediction markets are becoming a cornerstone of decision-making in politics, business, and culture. For investors, this represents a high-conviction opportunity to capitalize on a sector poised for exponential growth. As the line between data and finance blurs, prediction markets may well define the next era of capital markets.