How to Deposit on Kalshi
Six funding methods, all explained clearly. ACH is free and works for most users. Here's when to use each method and what each one costs.
Step-by-step deposit (ACH recommended)
Log in to your Kalshi account and navigate to the Wallet section
Click 'Deposit' and select your preferred funding method
For ACH: click 'Add Bank Account', sign in through Plaid, and select your checking account
Enter the deposit amount and confirm
Wait for funds to clear (ACH: 1–3 business days; debit card: instant)
Once cleared, your balance appears in your Kalshi wallet and is ready to trade
All Deposit Methods Compared
ACH Bank Transfer
The default and recommended funding method. Connect your US bank account via Plaid in 30–60 seconds. Kalshi uses ACH for both deposits and withdrawals. Free for supported banks; manual micro-deposit verification for unsupported banks takes 1–2 business days.
Debit Card
Instant funding using a US debit card. Kalshi charges approximately 2% on debit card deposits. Best when you need funds available immediately for a time-sensitive market. Not available for withdrawals to card.
Wire Transfer
Kalshi doesn't charge a wire fee, but your bank will — typically $15–30. Best for large deposits. Funds arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's wire cutoff. Requires Kalshi's wire instructions from your account dashboard.
PayPal
Convenient for users who prefer not to link a bank account directly. PayPal may charge its own fees depending on your account type. US only.
Venmo
Similar to PayPal — a convenient middle ground. US only. Check Venmo's own transfer limits as they apply.
Crypto (via ZeroHash)
Deposit via crypto through Kalshi's integration with ZeroHash. Supported tokens and networks vary. Blockchain network fees apply. Best for users who already hold crypto and prefer not to convert first.
ACH is free and slow. Debit is instant and costs about 2%. Pay the 2% only if the market is leaving— if the edge is not bigger than the card fee, wait for the bank transfer. International members who cannot use domestic ACH can review eligible funding rails on the country directory.
Cash earns ~4% APY on Kalshi
Any cash you deposit on Kalshi earns approximately 3.5%–4% APY while it sits in your account — even when you have open positions. That yield does not replace the fee on the clip. Run the profit calculator before you size a first deposit. Local rails such as SPEI, GCash, and dirham transfers are not a Kalshi checkout — check Mexico, the Philippines, and Morocco.