Venmo Expands Global Reach as Kalshi Tightens Trading Safeguards: Finance Updates for March 23, 2026
Today in finance, two major developments are reshaping how consumers and traders interact with digital platforms. Venmo, a widely-used peer-to-peer payment app, now allows users to send money directly to PayPal accounts in 90 countries, a move that dramatically simplifies international transfers. Meanwhile, prediction market startup Kalshi is introducing new trading restrictions, barring politicians and athletes from participating in markets where they may hold insider knowledge or influence outcomes.
What Happened
Venmo Enables International Payments to PayPal Users
Venmo, owned by PayPal, has announced a significant feature update: users can now send funds from their Venmo accounts directly to PayPal users in 90 countries. This new capability bypasses the need for traditional international wire transfers, which are often expensive, slow, and complex. The integration leverages PayPal’s extensive global reach, enabling simple cross-border transactions through Venmo’s familiar user interface.
The process is straightforward. Venmo users select the 'PayPal International Transfer' option, enter the recipient’s PayPal email, and the amount to send. The transaction is then processed, with fees and exchange rates displayed transparently. According to Venmo, the update is rolling out immediately and will be available to all verified users over the next few weeks.
Kalshi Bans Politicians and Athletes from Sensitive Trading Markets
Prediction market platform Kalshi has announced a new policy aimed at bolstering market integrity. Going forward, politicians and athletes will be restricted from trading in markets where they may possess inside information or could influence outcomes. The company states the move is designed to prevent insider trading and manipulation, aligning Kalshi with broader efforts in the financial sector to promote fairness and transparency.
The restrictions come amid growing scrutiny of real-money prediction markets, which allow users to bet on future events ranging from political elections to sports results. Kalshi says it will implement identity and affiliation checks to enforce the new rules, and will actively monitor for violations.
Why It Matters
Venmo’s global payment expansion represents a notable shift in the accessibility of international finance for everyday users. For many, sending money abroad has traditionally involved high fees, lengthy delays, and complex processes. By enabling direct, cross-border payments between Venmo and PayPal, the company is lowering barriers and increasing financial inclusion for millions.
Kalshi’s policy change underscores the growing regulatory and ethical challenges facing digital trading platforms. As prediction markets become more mainstream, concerns over insider trading and market manipulation have intensified. By proactively restricting sensitive participants, Kalshi aims to build trust and legitimacy, potentially setting a precedent for other platforms.
Key Stats
- Venmo users can now send money to PayPal accounts in 90 countries, expanding from a previously US-centric model.
- The new Venmo-to-PayPal transfer feature will be available to all verified users in the coming weeks.
- Kalshi will block politicians and athletes from trading in markets where they have direct ties or insider access.
- Kalshi’s measures include identity and affiliation checks to enforce compliance and market integrity.
What's Next
For consumers, Venmo’s move could prompt rivals to accelerate their own international payment solutions, fueling greater competition in the digital payments space. Users can expect further enhancements as PayPal and Venmo seek to streamline financial flows across borders. Regulatory responses may also shape the future of such services, with authorities likely to scrutinize cross-border digital transactions for compliance and security.
For prediction markets, Kalshi’s new rules may trigger similar initiatives across the industry, especially as governments and regulators examine the role these platforms play in sensitive domains like politics and sports. Enforcement of these restrictions will be closely watched, and the industry’s long-term legitimacy may depend on the effectiveness of such measures.