Prediction markets bet big on Anthropic's IPO as retail traders await debut

Prediction markets are seeing massive trading volume on contracts tied to Anthropic's upcoming IPO, following the AI company's filing, with bets on its valuation, listing venue, and fundraising haul ahead of a likely November debut. Polymarket and Kalshi have attracted tens of millions of dollars in combined volume, with wagers covering the IPO's timing, closing market cap, lead banks, and sector classification. Analysts say the activity signals robust investor interest and may help gauge the eventual public market opening price. The platforms, traditionally used for political and economic events, are expanding into corporate finance, though IPO allocations still favor institutional investors. The Anthropic listing is seen as a key test of retail and institutional appetite for AI stocks.