Funded Trading

Catalyst

Traders pay an entry fee to trade simulated Polymarket positions, and Catalyst pays a fixed award when they pass.

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Catalyst Prediction Market Challenge: Polymarket Trading

What is Catalyst?

Catalyst is a prediction market trading challenge where you pay a one time fee to trade live Polymarket events in a simulated account and can earn a fixed cash payout of up to $3,000 by hitting a profit target.

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Catalyst Overview

Catalyst is a prediction market trading challenge. You pay a one time entry fee, trade live Polymarket events inside a simulated account, and if you reach a set profit target without breaking the risk rules, you get a fixed cash payout. The biggest payout is $3,000. Nothing else about the account is real: prices and order books come from Polymarket, every fill is simulated, and no Catalyst capital gets traded.

It is built for people who follow event markets closely and want a scoreboard for that. Events come from Polymarket, so you get elections, sports, crypto, earnings, culture, the lot. If you already trade Polymarket and think you have an edge on miscalculated odds, this puts a number on it. Prop firm traders coming from futures will recognize the shape of it. The catch is the same as every evaluation: most people fail, and the fee is gone when they do.

Four account sizes, same rules. Starter costs $10, starts at $1,000, needs $150 profit and pays $100. Pro costs $59 on $10,000, needs $1,500 and pays $750. Elite costs $109 on $25,000, needs $3,000 and pays $1,500. Max costs $199 on $50,000, needs $6,000 and pays $3,000. Each one gives you 50 trades and 60 days, no daily loss limit and no minimum trading days. Only closed profit counts, so an open winner means nothing until you take it off. One active challenge at a time, one profile per person.

Two rules do most of the work. The trailing max loss follows your highest balance and never moves back down, and open positions count against it, so a losing position can end the challenge while you are still holding it. The consistency rule caps any single day at 35 percent of total profit. Break it and your target goes up, calculated as your best day divided by 0.35. It will not fail you.

Trading runs on real Polymarket liquidity. Only markets with at least $10,000 resting on the book get listed, which keeps the thin junk out. Orders come three ways: a one tap preset, a dollar amount market order, or a limit order good for the day. Large orders walk the book and slip. Markets settle when Polymarket resolves them.

The payout is the part that stands out. It lands in your Catalyst wallet the moment you pass, with no profit split and no approval queue. Withdrawals go through Dots and are free above $100, with a $10 fee under that. There is a $10,000 lifetime cap per trader and no funded stage after the challenge, so treat the ceiling as a ceiling, not a stepping stone.

I have mixed feelings about that cap. It keeps the promise simple and stops payouts from turning into a negotiation, but $10,000 across every challenge you ever buy is a hard stop for anyone good at this. The free NFL Pick'em is a fair way to test the water without paying a fee. Rules have changed several times since the summer, so read the help center before you buy, not the marketing page.

Caution: trading is simulated only; the entry fee is real and is lost if you fail. Some users have raised payout complaints, including unverified reports of withdrawal problems.

Catalyst Key features

  • Fixed payout on pass

    Hit the profit target without breaking a risk rule and the payout lands in your Catalyst wallet right then. Starter pays $100 and Max pays $3,000.

  • Four account sizes

    Starter, Pro, Elite and Max all run the same rules with different fees, balances and targets. Entry runs from $10 up to $199.

  • Simulated Polymarket trading

    Prices, order books and events come from real Polymarket markets. Every position is simulated and no order ever reaches the exchange.

  • Trailing max loss

    The loss limit follows your highest realized balance and never moves down. Open positions count, so a trade moving against you can end the challenge before you close it.

  • Consistency target

    No single day can supply more than 35 percent of your profit. Miss it and the profit target goes up instead of the challenge failing.

  • Trade and time limits

    Each account allows 50 trades, and only buys count toward that number. You get 60 days to pass, with no daily loss limit and no minimum trading days.

  • Liquidity filter

    Only Polymarket markets holding at least $10,000 of resting liquidity get listed. Thin markets drop out and come back when volume returns.

  • Three order types

    The ticket has 1 Tap for preset size, Market for a dollar amount, and Limit for a price in whole cents. Fills walk the real book, so large orders slip.

  • Withdrawals through Dots

    Payouts leave through Dots, which covers bank transfer, PayPal, crypto, AirTM and prepaid cards. Which methods you get depends on your country, and anything of $100 or more is free.

  • Lifetime payout cap

    A trader can collect $10,000 across every challenge combined. Past that cap the challenges still run, but passing pays nothing.

  • KYC at withdrawal

    Identity checks and tax forms wait until the first withdrawal instead of signup. US users file a W9 and international users file a W8BEN.

  • 14 day refund window

    You can get the entry fee back within 14 days as long as you have not placed a trade. Any evaluation activity makes the fee nonrefundable.

  • Wallet credit bonus

    Paying for a new challenge out of wallet balance adds 10 percent to the balance. That bonus stays inside the platform and cannot be withdrawn.

  • Free NFL Pick'em

    A free contest with $15,000 in prizes across the 18 week regular season. Picks on underdogs score more, and you do not need to buy a challenge to enter.

  • Catalyst Academy lessons

    Short lessons cover how prediction markets work, position sizing, fills and exits. An AI coach chat sits alongside the lessons.

Catalyst Fees

  • Entry fees A challenge costs $10 on Starter, $59 on Pro, $109 on Elite and $199 on Max.
  • Payout by size Passing pays a fixed $100 on Starter, $750 on Pro, $1,500 on Elite and $3,000 on Max, and the lifetime cap across all challenges is $10,000 per trader.
  • Withdrawal fee Withdrawals of $100 or more cost nothing, and anything under $100 carries a $10 processing fee.
  • Wallet bonus Paying for a new challenge out of your wallet balance adds a 10 percent bonus that you cannot withdraw.
  • Refund rule You can get the entry fee back within 14 days of purchase, but only if you placed no trades.

Catalyst Supported networks

  • Polygon

How to use Catalyst

  1. Check you qualify

    Confirm you meet the age rule (18 or older, or the age of majority where higher) and are not in a restricted country; check your local rules even if your country is not on the list.

  2. Create your account

    Go to the Catalyst website and sign up. Catalyst allows one profile per person and one active challenge at a time.

  3. Buy a challenge

    Choose Starter, Pro, Elite or Max and pay the entry fee. Catalyst ties each account size to a starting balance, profit target, max loss, contract cap and payout.

  4. Read the current rules

    Open the help center and read the rules for your account size before you trade. Catalyst has changed the challenge format several times since launch.

  5. Open the Trade tab

    Find Polymarket events in the Trade tab. Catalyst lists only markets with at least $10,000 of resting liquidity on the order book.

  6. Place your first trade

    Use the 1 Tap, Market or Limit tab on the order ticket. Catalyst fills your order against the real Polymarket order book, so large orders can slip.

  7. Track the profit target

    Count only realized profit from closed trades or resolved markets. Open profit does not count until you close the position.

  8. Watch the 35 percent rule

    Keep any single day under 35 percent of total profit. If you break the rule, Catalyst raises your target instead of failing you.

  9. Respect the trailing max loss

    Catalyst sets your loss limit from your highest realized balance, and the limit never moves down. Open positions count, so a bad open trade can end the challenge.

  10. Pass and get paid

    Hit the profit target within 50 trades and 60 days without breaking the loss limit; only buys count toward the limit. Catalyst pays the fixed amount into your wallet when you pass, and a $10,000 lifetime cap applies across all challenges.

  11. Verify and withdraw

    Complete KYC and a tax form at your first withdrawal, then choose a payout method through Dots. Withdrawals of $100 or more are free, and smaller withdrawals carry a $10 fee.

Catalyst Demo video

Catalyst Screenshots

Catalyst User Reviews

  • @baisedit
    @baisedit Nov 1, 2026

    a prop firm for Polymarket traders fills a gap nobody covered, Catalyst sounds fun

    View on X ↗
  • @funded_trading
    @funded_trading Oct 16, 2026

    Founded by Melissa Footlick, Topstep's second employee and former COO. So it's a legit firm.

    View on X ↗
  • @0xAlok_
    @0xAlok_ Sep 22, 2026

    I have started testing Prediction prop firm :) Till now i know four of them, @predictcatalyst is one of them

    View on X ↗
Used Catalyst? Share your experience — your review helps other traders decide. Write a review →

Catalyst Review

Pros

  • The Starter account costs $10 and pays $100 if you pass, so a first try stays cheap.
  • The payout is fixed by account size and lands in your wallet the moment you pass, with no approval step.
  • Every market uses real Polymarket prices and order books, so fills and slippage behave like the live site.
  • All four account sizes run the same rules, and paying more only changes the balance, target and payout.
  • There are no minimum trading days and no daily loss limit, so a clean run can pass on day one.
  • Withdrawals of $100 or more cost nothing, and PayPal, Venmo and crypto can land in minutes.
  • The free NFL Pick'em pays out $15,000 in prizes and needs no challenge purchase.

Cons

  • There is no funded or live account stage, so passing never leads to trading real capital.
  • Lifetime payouts are capped at $10,000 per trader across all challenges.
  • The entry fee is gone if you fail, and refunds stop once you place a single trade.
  • Rules have changed three times since June 2026, so the terms you buy may not be the terms you keep.
  • Withdrawals under $100 cost a $10 processing fee.
  • Open positions count toward the trailing max loss, so a losing trade can end a challenge before you close it.
  • One trading day above 35 percent of total profit raises your target, even if every other rule was followed.
  • The Terms of Use include a non disparagement clause.

Our verdict

Catalyst sells a paid challenge: you trade real Polymarket prices inside a simulated account and collect a fixed cash payout, up to $3,000, once you hit a profit target without breaking the loss rules. The small details hold up. Entry starts at $10, the payout is set before you buy, and founder Melissa Footlick spent eleven years as COO at Topstep, which is the kind of resume that makes the "same rules from day one" promise believable. The ceiling is where it sours, because a $10,000 lifetime payout cap and no funded stage mean a good trader runs out of road, and the format has been rewritten several times since the June 2026 launch. Try the $10 Starter if you want a cheap, bounded test of whether you can read prediction markets. If you need this to become income, walk away.

Is Catalyst safe & legit?

Catalyst is Trade Catalyst Inc., a Delaware company founded by Melissa Footlick, a former Topstep COO. The challenge uses simulated trading only; the entry fee is real and is lost if you fail. Some users have raised payout complaints, including unverified reports of withdrawal problems, while others praise the service. It is not registered with the CFTC, SEC, NFA or FINRA.

X account intel @predictcatalyst

  • Based in United States
  • Joined X November 2025 1 year ago
  • Username changes 6 renames last on Jun 7, 2026
  • Signup source Web

Public profile signals from X. Use as one input alongside other due-diligence.

Security scan checked Nov 10, 2026

  • Google Web Risk Not flagged
  • MetaMask Not flagged
  • Phantom Not flagged
  • ScamSniffer Not flagged
  • EtherAddressLookup Not flagged
  • Keplr Wallet Not flagged

Domain tradecatalyst.com checked against Google's lists of unsafe sites and public crypto wallet blacklists.

This is an automated check, not a security audit. The summary is drafted from the project's own pages and public posts, and the domain is looked up on public blocklists. Nothing here is financial advice: only put in money you can afford to lose. How we review listings

Catalyst FAQ

Does Catalyst place my trades on Polymarket for real?
No. Catalyst takes prices, order books and events from live Polymarket data, but every position sits in a simulated account. The entry fee you pay in and the payout you get out are the only real money that moves.
What does it cost to enter, and what does a pass pay?
Entry runs from $10 on the Starter account to $199 on Max, and the fixed payout goes from $100 to $3,000. Bigger accounts also carry a bigger starting balance, profit target and loss limit.
How do I get the payout out?
The payout lands in your Catalyst wallet the moment you meet every pass condition, with no approval step and no waiting period. Withdrawals run through Dots, and you finish identity verification plus a tax form the first time you withdraw. Requests under $100 carry a $10 fee.
Which rule ends most challenge runs?
The trailing max loss. It follows your highest realized balance and never moves down, and open positions count against it, so a position moving the wrong way can end the challenge before you close it.
Is there a funded account after I pass?
There isn't. You take the fixed payout and that challenge is done. Lifetime payouts stop at $10,000 across all challenges, so you can still buy new ones after the cap, but passing pays nothing more.

Catalyst Updates

  1. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Last day to win a Nintendo Switch 2 🎮
    Start a Pro, Elite or Max Challenge for your shot to win.
    https://tradecatalyst.com
    • 48 replies
    • 24 reposts
    • 153 likes
    • 3K views
  2. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    El Clásico. Sunday. 🇪🇸
    Barça 64¢ | Madrid 22¢
    BOGO is live: buy one challenge, get one free.
    $10 in → up to $200 back when you pass both.
    • 29 replies
    • 20 reposts
    • 127 likes
    • 3.4K views
  3. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    The new Catalyst Challenge is here.
    New format, simpler rules, and bigger payouts.
    For a limited time, get a second challenge free with code BOGO.
    • 112 replies
    • 77 reposts
    • 121 likes
    • 2.6K views
  4. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    The future of prediction markets is just getting started.
    Excited to see our Founder & CEO, Melissa Footlick, alongside other industry leaders at #NEXTPredict NYC.
    Big things ahead for Catalyst and the entire prediction market industry.
    • 1 replies
    • 2 reposts
    • 24 likes
    • 1.8K views
  5. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Eagles 64%. Bears 36%.
    Make your pick in the $15,000 NFL Pick’Em. Free to play.
    • 19 replies
    • 16 reposts
    • 102 likes
    • 3.2K views
  6. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Sunday night in Denver 🏈
    Rams vs. Broncos. Lock in your pick before kickoff.
    $15,000 in prizes. Free to play.
    • 57 replies
    • 21 reposts
    • 127 likes
    • 3.8K views
  7. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Kane at 57%. Yamal at 22%. Is the Ballon d'Or already decided? 🏆
    You've been right for free. It's time to cash in. Trade it on Catalyst: link in bio.
    • 28 replies
    • 9 reposts
    • 109 likes
    • 3.3K views
  8. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Two teams. One pick. $15,000 in prizes. Play free.
    • 10 replies
    • 1 reposts
    • 84 likes
    • 2.3K views
  9. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Think the market has Brazil wrong? Trade your position with up to $15,000 in simulated funds.
    • 25 replies
    • 23 reposts
    • 133 likes
    • 3.4K views
  10. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Giants or Rams? $15K up for grabs. Join Pick’Em for free.
    • 20 replies
    • 20 reposts
    • 134 likes
    • 3.5K views
  11. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Week 2 is live. Make your picks and claim your share of $15K.
    1 more in this thread
    Join here: https://tradecatalyst.com/
    • 138 replies
    • 62 reposts
    • 123 likes
    • 4.3K views
  12. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    Rams at 12%. Your picks could be worth $15,000. Free to enter.
    • 84 replies
    • 58 reposts
    • 98 likes
    • 3.2K views
  13. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    One season. $15,000. Zero entry fee.
    • 90 replies
    • 43 reposts
    • 84 likes
    • 5K views
  14. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
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    • 94 replies
    • 42 reposts
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    • 3.3K views
  15. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    $15K up for grabs. Free to enter. Week 1 starts tomorrow. Lock in your picks now.
    1 more in this thread
    Join here: https://tradecatalyst.com/nfl-pickem
    • 63 replies
    • 20 reposts
    • 59 likes
    • 2.5K views
  16. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    15 trades → 10. Same challenge. Same payout. Less work. Limited time.
    • 83 replies
    • 54 reposts
    • 87 likes
    • 3.7K views
  17. Catalyst logo
    Catalyst
    49ers or Rams? Who you got?
    Make your pick and compete for a share of $15K in prizes. Completely free to play.
    Join the NFL Pick’Em and Discord in the top comment below 👇
    1 more in this thread
    Competition: https://tradecatalyst.com/nfl-pickem
    Discord: https://discord.com/invite/tradecatalyst
    • 113 replies
    • 49 reposts
    • 107 likes
    • 4.3K views

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