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Getting Started
New to crypto wallets? This guide walks you through everything you need to start betting on SharkBetX — from installing a wallet to placing your first bet.
Use a desktop browser. Rabby has no mobile extension. Mobile works via the MetaMask app, but reliability is reduced — if this is your first time, start on desktop.
How it works
SharkBetX settles all bets on-chain using Polymarket, the world's largest prediction market. Your funds sit in a SharkBetX-deployed vault contract on the Polygon blockchain — you can verify your balance on Polygonscan at any time.
Trust is placed in open contract code, not in us as an operator. The vault contract enforces that only you can withdraw your funds; betting moves USDC through Polymarket's own (unchanged) contracts. You can independently verify everything on-chain.
To interact with the blockchain, you need a browser wallet. This is a browser extension that manages your crypto keys and lets you approve transactions — similar to how Apple Pay or Google Pay works, but for blockchain.
Install a browser wallet
We recommend one of these two wallets. Both are free, open-source browser extensions:
First time? During setup, your wallet will show you a seed phrase (12 or 24 words). This is the master key to your funds. Write it on paper and store it somewhere safe. Treat it like cash you can't cancel.
Three real footguns:
- Don't take a photo of it. Camera rolls sync to the cloud.
- Don't store it in cloud notes, Google Drive, iCloud, or email. Anywhere your email can log in, an attacker can too.
- Don't type it into any website. SharkBetX will never ask for your seed phrase. Anyone who does is trying to steal your funds.
Why?
A browser wallet holds your private keys locally on your device. No one else — not even SharkBetX — has access to your funds. Every deposit, withdrawal, and bet settlement is a blockchain transaction that you can independently verify.
This is fundamentally different from traditional betting sites where the operator holds your money. With on-chain settlement, you don't need to trust us — you can check the blockchain yourself.
Switch to Polygon network
SharkBetX operates on Polygon — a fast, low-cost blockchain. Your wallet likely defaults to Ethereum, so you need to switch.
Rabby: Automatically switches when you connect to SharkBetX — no manual action needed.
MetaMask: Click the network selector (top-left of the MetaMask popup) and choose Polygon Mainnet. If it's not listed, click "Add network" and enter:
Why?
Polymarket runs on Polygon because transactions cost fractions of a cent and confirm in seconds. Ethereum would cost $5-50 per transaction. Your wallet needs to be on the same network as the smart contracts to interact with them.
Get USDC on Polygon
Before you start: you also need POL for gas
Every Polygon transaction needs a small amount of POL (the native token) to pay gas — including the first deposit into SharkBetX. If you only receive USDC and no POL, your first deposit will fail. Keep at least 1 POL (~$0.30) in your wallet to cover a handful of transactions.
Easiest fix: Rango automatically bundles a little POL into your swap. Most exchanges also let you withdraw POL directly to Polygon. Or — skip native gas entirely with Rabby Gas Account (prepay fees with stablecoins).
Already hold crypto on Ethereum, Arbitrum, BSC, Base, or Solana? You can skip the exchange withdrawal — see Privacy & Advanced Funding Routes for the fastest (and most private) way to fund from another chain.
SharkBetX uses USDC (a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to USD) as its currency. You need a specific version of USDC on Polygon to deposit.
Important: use Bridged USDC, not Native USDC
Polygon has two different USDC tokens. SharkBetX (and Polymarket) uses the bridged version. The native version will not work for deposits.
This token appears under different names depending on your wallet:
- Rabby: "USDC (Bridged)"
- MetaMask: "USDC.e"
- Rango Exchange: "USDC (PoS)" or "USDC.e"
- Coinbase/Binance: usually just "USDC" when withdrawing to Polygon
Easiest method — use Rango Exchange:
- Go to app.rango.exchange and connect your wallet.
- Select your source (any token on any chain — ETH, USDC on Ethereum, BNB, etc.).
- Set the destination to USDC (PoS) on Polygon — look for the token with contract ending in ...4174. Do not select the native USDC (ending in ...3359).
- Approve the swap and confirm the transaction in your wallet.
Alternative — direct exchange withdrawal:
- Buy USDC on a crypto exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.).
- Withdraw to your wallet address — select Polygon as the withdrawal network. If you receive native USDC instead of bridged USDC (PoS), use the swap method above to convert it.
Verify what you got
After the funds arrive, hover over the USDC token in your wallet to reveal the contract address:
- Last 4 characters ...4174 = bridged (correct) — ready to deposit.
- Last 4 characters ...3359 = native — needs one more swap on Polygon via Rango before it works for SharkBetX.
Why?
USDC is a regulated stablecoin backed 1:1 by US dollars (issued by Circle). Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, 1 USDC always equals $1. Polymarket uses USDC for all trading, so SharkBetX does too.
The "bridged" version (USDC.e) is USDC that was moved from Ethereum to Polygon via the official Polygon bridge. Polymarket's smart contracts only accept this version. The "native" USDC was deployed later directly on Polygon by Circle — it's a different contract and is not compatible with Polymarket.
Connect and sign in
Go to the Exchange and click Connect wallet. Your wallet will pop up with two requests:
Connection request
This lets SharkBetX see your wallet address (like sharing your username). It does not give access to your funds.
Signature request
This proves you own the wallet. It's a gasless signature — no transaction is sent and no fee is charged. Think of it as signing a digital login form.
On your first visit, you'll also be asked to accept the terms of service via another gasless signature.
Why?
Blockchain wallets use cryptographic signatures instead of passwords. When you "sign" a message, your wallet uses your private key to create a proof that only you could have produced. The server verifies this proof without ever seeing your private key. No passwords to remember, no passwords to leak.
Deposit USDC
Pre-flight check
- USDC in your wallet ends in ...4174 (bridged).
- At least 1 POL (~$0.30) in your wallet for gas (or Rabby Gas Account active).
- Wallet connected on Polygon Mainnet (chainId 137).
In the Wallet tab, enter the amount you want to deposit. Your wallet will show two popups:
Approval (first deposit only)
This gives the SharkBetX vault permission to receive your USDC. It's a one-time setup — like authorizing a direct debit. You only do this once. You can audit or revoke this approval later via revoke.cash.
Deposit transaction
This transfers USDC into the vault smart contract. Your balance updates immediately. The transaction costs less than $0.01 in gas.
After depositing, your balance is visible both in the app and on-chain at Verify Balance.
Why?
The "approval" step is a standard blockchain safety mechanism. Before any smart contract can move your tokens, you must explicitly grant permission. This prevents unauthorized contracts from touching your funds.
Place your first bet
Select a league from the sidebar, find a match, and click any odds cell to open the bet slip. Enter your stake, review the odds, and confirm.
Bets are placed through Polymarket's order book and settled automatically. When a match finishes, your winnings are credited to your balance — no manual claiming needed.
Quick reference
- Back = bet that an outcome will happen (e.g., Chelsea to win)
- Lay = bet that an outcome will not happen
- GTC (Good Till Cancelled) = order stays open until filled or cancelled
- FAK (Fill and Kill) = instant fill or cancel — best for live betting
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