Platform comparison
| Platform | YES odds | NO odds | Fee | KYC | Settlement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polymarket (via Election Predictions UK) Pick polygram.ink (preferred broker) |
82% | 18% | 0% (USDC on-chain) | No-KYC up to $1,500 | USDC, auto via UMA oracle | Trade this market → |
Polymarket (direct) polymarket.com |
82% | 18% | 0% | Geo-blocked in US/UK/EU | USDC, on-chain | Trade this market → |
Kalshi kalshi.com |
— | — | Up to 7% per trade | US-only, KYC required | USD | Trade this market → |
Betfair Exchange betfair.com |
— | — | 2-5% commission | Full KYC from first trade | GBP / EUR | Trade this market → |
Manifold Markets manifold.markets |
— | — | Play-money (mana) | None — play-money | Mana (no cash-out) | Trade this market → |
Outcome probabilities
Current market-implied probability for each outcome, from the live order book.
| Outcome | Probability |
|---|---|
| <150 | 82% |
| 150-174 | 18% |
| 175-199 | 2% |
| 200-224 | 1% |
| 225+ | 1% |
Market context
Ships are moving through the Strait of Hormuz again after a six-month blockade, yet recent missile attacks on commercial tankers have created volatile uncertainty for weekly transit counts. The market’s 82% YES probability implies traders expect the finalized IMF Portwatch tally to exceed a specific threshold, betting that recovery momentum outweighs the disruption from Monday night’s strikes by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [3].
Historical patterns from the 2026 crisis show that traffic can swing wildly depending on geopolitical triggers; after the US–Iran memorandum of understanding was signed in late June, crossings surged to 70 vessels on a single Wednesday before dropping to 12 by Sunday [5]. Conversely, the period between February and March saw near-total blockades with zero outbound commercial movements for 72 hours, illustrating how quickly normal flows can collapse under IRGC pressure [2][6]. The current probability leans on the resilience demonstrated over the weekend, when Kpler recorded 108 verified crossings across three days despite ongoing tensions [3].
Traders should monitor the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) for immediate updates on further projectile strikes, as each incident risks halting transits for days [3]. The settlement window closes on 12 July, meaning the final count depends entirely on whether the 60-day negotiation window established by the recent MoU prevents a second closure [3]. Any announcement from Qatar regarding the stalled indirect talks or fresh declarations from Tehran could instantly alter the daily transit figures before data finalisation [3].
Methodology
This page tracks How many ships transit the Strait of Hormuz week of July 6? across four political prediction venues. Live odds come from the Polymarket order book (the deepest political prediction-market book). Kalshi is the CFTC-regulated US alternative, Betfair the established UK sports-exchange with politics markets, Manifold the open play-money variant. For users geo-blocked from Polymarket directly, brokers like Election Predictions UK provide a 0%-fee route into the same order book.
Resolution & payout
For political markets the resolution source is decisive. Polymarket defines a concrete source per contract (e.g. AP, Reuters, official electoral commission) and uses the UMA Optimistic Oracle as the on-chain dispute mechanism. With a clearly defined outcome the USDC payout lands within minutes of the final confirmation.
FAQ
- How accurate are political prediction markets?
- Historically more accurate than polls. Polymarket's Brier score on US 2024 elections was ~0.11 — better than 538 (~0.14) and every mainstream poll. Markets aggregate information with real skin in the game.
- Can prediction markets influence election outcomes?
- Markets reflect expectations rather than create them. Studies show public-facing markets can anchor expectations, but don't influence the underlying outcome. Political markets are information, not advocacy.
- How fast do political markets react to news?
- High-liquidity markets move within seconds to minutes. A Trump tweet on the economy can shift the "Trump 2024" market 2-5 points before mainstream media has written anything.
- Are political prediction markets legal in my country?
- It varies. They sit in legal gray areas in most jurisdictions. Polymarket is geo-blocked from US/UK/EU; some broker frontends have a different geo footprint. Trade only with capital you can afford to lose, and only if you understand the legal status in your jurisdiction.
- Which political events have the biggest volume?
- US Presidential election, party nominations (DNC/RNC), Senate majorities, individual state outcomes (Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin), and major European elections. Peak markets reach $50-500M per event.
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