Polymarket takes crypto offline with free grocery store push in New York City

Polymarket is stepping away from screens and apps and into the physical world.

The crypto-based prediction market platform is opening a free grocery store in New York City, pairing the initiative with a major donation aimed at tackling food insecurity.

Announced on Feb. 3, the project marks an unusual move for a digital-native company and places Polymarket directly into a live policy and social debate playing out in the city.

The pop-up store is scheduled to open later this month and will operate independently of any trading activity, signalling a deliberate shift from markets and probabilities to tangible community engagement.

After months of planning, we’re excited to announce ‘The Polymarket’ is coming to New York City.

New York’s first free grocery store.

We signed the lease. And we donated $1 million to Food Bank For NYC — an organization that changes how our city responds to hunger. 🧵

10:30 PM · Feb 3, 2026

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From prediction markets to physical presence

The pop-up store, called “The Polymarket,” is set to open on Feb. 12 at noon ET. It will offer groceries entirely free of charge, with no purchase or sign-up required.

Polymarket said the store will be open to all New Yorkers, though it has not yet disclosed the exact location.

The company described the project as a fully stocked grocery space designed to prioritise access rather than retail transactions.

Polymarket framed the initiative as a direct investment in the city where it is headquartered.

Crypto.news reported, citing sources familiar with the project, that the store is expected to operate for a limited period, likely covering several days around its opening weekend.

Donation targets citywide food insecurity

Alongside the store launch, Polymarket confirmed a $1 million donation to Food Bank For New York City.

The non-profit supports hunger relief efforts across all five boroughs and works with a network of community organisations, pantries, and soup kitchens.

Food Bank For New York City said the funds will be used to expand access to food and support longer-term food security initiatives.

Polymarket has also encouraged members of the public to contribute to the organisation, positioning the grocery store as part of a broader effort rather than a standalone gesture.

The company has said the initiative is focused on addressing food insecurity and is not intended to operate like a traditional commercial grocery outlet.

Competition and symbolism in New York

The timing of the project coincides with growing competition among US-based prediction market platforms.

Rival Kalshi recently carried out a smaller free grocery giveaway in New York, prompting comparisons between the two campaigns.

Polymarket’s store, however, represents a more sustained and visible presence, both in scale and in branding.

The initiative also echoes political ideas circulating in the city.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously floated proposals around city-run grocery stores, adding a layer of symbolism to Polymarket’s move.

The platform currently hosts active markets linked to whether such stores will open in New York by mid-2026.

Busy stretch and regulatory backdrop

The grocery store launch follows a period of rapid expansion for Polymarket.

In late January, the company announced a multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer, making it the league’s official prediction market partner.

On Feb. 2, Polymarket also integrated with decentralised exchange aggregator Jupiter, enabling users to access prediction markets directly on Solana.

While the store itself is not linked to trading or user activity, the launch places Polymarket in the public eye at a moment when both competition and regulation are intensifying.

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