Kalshi traders draw $1 million-plus offers as firms hunt prediction market talent
Top Kalshi traders are fielding recruiting offers exceeding $1 million from trading firms and hedge funds, according to Gamingtoday.com. Crypto.com and Interactive Brokers are among the named recruiters. The talent hunt reflects intensifying competition as prediction markets grow. Separately, Kalshi posted a recruiting coordinator opening on ParlayJobs, and CEO Tarek Mansour said New Yorkers have earned $200 million on the platform. A Traders Union headline claims New York seeks $36 billion from Kalshi, but no supporting details were available.
The bidding war for Kalshi's top traders signals that established finance firms now treat prediction markets as a serious alpha source, not a retail novelty. Crypto.com and Interactive Brokers want traders who already proved they can profit on event contracts, and they are willing to pay seven figures to get them. For Kalshi, this is a double drain: losing its best market makers thins liquidity, while the recruiters become direct competitors for the same trading volume.
The talent raids will accelerate if Jayasoorya or other star traders publicize their moves. Kalshi's response — posting a recruiting coordinator role — suggests it recognizes the threat but has not yet matched Wall Street pay scales. The platform that keeps its winners earning more than they would at a hedge fund will keep its order book deep. The one that loses them will watch its edge migrate elsewhere.
Crypto.com is the same exchange now in talks to supply prediction-market contracts to Robinhood, turning contract sourcing into a permanent auction for shelf space alongside Kalshi and DraftKings.