rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
GRID announced a partnership with Sportstensor, a market maker and liquidity provider for Polymarket, to power esports prediction markets with official match data.
Under the agreement, GRID will become the official esports data provider for Sportstensor across leading esports titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and more.
Following the acquisition of Bayes Esports, GRID holds the majority of the rights for official esports data. The partnership allows GRID to capitalize on the recent boom of prediction markets as Polymarket prepares to relaunch in the US.
In a press release, Dominika Szot, VP of Growth at GRID. stated, “Prediction markets are emerging as one of the fastest-growing frontiers for digital engagement.
“Esports, a sport digital by nature, is a natural fit within that ecosystem. Integrity in settlement is critical, and official data provides the foundation to ensure predictions remain fair, transparent, and tamper-proof while adding new dimensions of entertainment value.”
Capturing the $2.8 Billion Esports Market
Sportstensor announced the partnership in a post on X, noting, “Together we’re building intelligence on official data to capture the $2.8 billion esports market. Ushering in the next wave of market intelligence that will flow into Almanac and Polymarket.”
Leo Chan, Co-founder & CEO of Sportstensor, added, “Prediction markets depend on trust, not just between traders, but in the accuracy of outcomes that underpin every contract.
Partnering with GRID ensures our esports markets are settled using verified, rights-compliant data straight from the source. That allows us to design richer and more engaging markets for Polymarket users, uniquely enabled by official data.’’
Sportstensor Journey From Bittensor Subnet To Polymarket Partner
Sportstensor announced a partnership with Polymarket in September. The company launched as a Bittensor Subnet in July last year.
Since then, it has developed an AI trading model and, in a post detailing its journey, declared that, “The results have been remarkable, with top-performing miners achieving average mid-single-digit percentage returns on investment (ROI) on turnover; performance that rivals institutional sports traders.”
Polymarket Launching In the US Amid Prediction Market Boom
Polymarket is set to relaunch in the US in the coming weeks after acquiring QCEX, an exchange licensed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Previously, the CFTC fined Polymarket $1.4 million and ordered it to cease operations in the US.
As the company gears up to officially re-enter the country, sports prediction markets have exploded. CFTC-licensed Kalshi has grown exponentially since launching a market on the Super Bowl in January this year.
Despite legal opposition, sports markets continue to expand on Kalshi, Polymarket, and other platforms such as Crypto.com. The latter has partnered with Underdog to combine DFS and prediction markets.
Major sportsbooks are now also entering the space. DraftKings this week announced it will launch DraftKings Predictions by the end of the year. CEO Jason Robins said, “This is the most bullish I have ever felt about the future of DraftKings.”
Rival platform FanDuel has also partnered with the CFTC-licensed exchange CME, which looks set to launch sports markets.
Additionally, PrizePicks gained CFTC approval following its takeover by Allwyn and looks set to compete in the booming industry.
Polymarket will hope the partnership with Sportstensor, which in turn is partnering with GRID will position itself as one of the market leaders in the new esports betting landscape.
