How to Withdraw from Kalshi: Timeline, Methods, and What Nobody Tells You
Everything about withdrawing money from Kalshi — processing times, bank transfers, and tips to avoid delays.
Getting money into Kalshi is easy. Getting it out? Also easy — but there are a few things about the withdrawal process that will save you time and frustration if you know them upfront. After processing hundreds of withdrawals over the past year, here is everything you need to know about moving your money off the platform.
Withdrawal Methods
Kalshi currently supports two withdrawal methods: ACH bank transfer and wire transfer. Each has different speed, cost, and minimum requirements.
ACH Bank Transfer
ACH is the standard withdrawal method and what most traders use. It is free, requires no minimum withdrawal amount beyond having a positive balance, and deposits directly into your linked bank account.
The process is straightforward. Navigate to your portfolio page, click withdraw, enter the amount, and confirm. The funds leave your Kalshi account immediately — meaning they are no longer available for trading as soon as you submit the request. However, they do not appear in your bank account instantly.
Typical ACH processing time: 2 to 5 business days. In my experience, most ACH withdrawals land in 3 business days. Occasionally it takes the full 5 days, especially if you initiate the withdrawal late on a Friday or before a bank holiday. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a withdrawal submitted on Thursday evening might not arrive until the following Wednesday.
Wire Transfer
Wire transfers are faster but come with a fee. If you need your funds quickly — say, you want to move capital to another brokerage for an opportunity — a wire can settle same-day or next business day depending on when you submit it.
The wire transfer fee varies, so check Kalshi’s current fee schedule before initiating one. For most retail traders, the fee is not worth it unless you are moving a large sum and time matters. If you are withdrawing a few hundred dollars, stick with ACH.
Identity Verification and Your First Withdrawal
Here is the part nobody warns new traders about: your first withdrawal may take longer than expected if your identity verification is not fully complete.
Kalshi requires KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to comply with CFTC regulations. Most traders complete this during account signup — you submit your name, address, Social Security number, and a photo ID. Verification usually processes in minutes.
However, there are situations where additional verification is triggered at withdrawal time:
- Large withdrawal amounts relative to your deposit history may flag a manual review.
- Mismatched bank account names — if the name on your Kalshi account does not exactly match the name on your bank account, expect delays.
- Recently changed bank accounts — if you link a new bank account and immediately try to withdraw, Kalshi may require additional verification steps.
The fix for all of these is the same: make sure your Kalshi account name matches your bank account name exactly, complete all verification steps during signup (do not skip the ID upload), and link your bank account well before you plan to make your first withdrawal.
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them
Based on firsthand experience and reports from other active traders, here are the most common reasons withdrawals get delayed:
1. Pending Deposits
If you recently deposited via ACH and the deposit has not fully settled, Kalshi may hold your withdrawal until the deposit clears. This is a standard fraud prevention measure. ACH deposits typically take 1 to 2 business days to settle, so if you deposit on Monday and try to withdraw on Tuesday, you might hit a hold.
Tip: Wait at least 3 business days after your last deposit before attempting a withdrawal if you want to avoid any hold period.
2. Open Positions
Your withdrawable balance is your total account value minus any capital tied up in open positions or pending orders. If you have active trades, the amount available for withdrawal will be less than your total portfolio value. Cancel any orders and close any positions you do not need before withdrawing.
3. Weekend and Holiday Timing
Submitting a withdrawal on Friday afternoon is essentially the same as submitting it on Monday morning from a processing standpoint. If speed matters, initiate withdrawals early in the week — Monday or Tuesday morning — to maximize the number of business days before the weekend.
4. Bank-Side Delays
Sometimes the delay is not on Kalshi’s end at all. Your bank may take an additional day to process an incoming ACH credit. This is especially common with smaller banks and credit unions. If Kalshi shows the withdrawal as completed but the funds have not appeared, give your bank an extra business day before reaching out to support.
Tips for Faster Withdrawals
A few practical tips from someone who does this regularly:
- Keep your bank account linked and verified at all times. Do not wait until you need to withdraw to set this up.
- Withdraw early in the week. Monday and Tuesday withdrawals consistently arrive faster than those submitted later in the week.
- Do not withdraw the same day you deposit. Give deposits time to fully clear to avoid holds.
- Keep your account information current. If you move or change your name, update your Kalshi profile before it becomes a withdrawal issue.
- Use ACH unless you genuinely need speed. The wire fee is unnecessary for routine withdrawals.
Tax Considerations
Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated exchange, which means your trading activity is reportable. Kalshi issues 1099 forms for traders who meet the IRS reporting threshold. Your withdrawals themselves are not taxable events — the taxable events are your individual trades and settlements throughout the year.
That said, keep track of your deposits and withdrawals for your own records. Having a clear ledger of money in and money out makes tax time significantly less painful. Kalshi provides transaction history exports that you can download directly from your account.
Is There a Maximum Withdrawal Amount?
There is no publicly stated maximum withdrawal amount, but very large withdrawals may trigger additional review. If you are withdrawing tens of thousands of dollars, it is worth reaching out to Kalshi support in advance to ensure the process goes smoothly. For most traders dealing with balances under $10,000, you should not encounter any issues.
Final Thoughts
Withdrawing from Kalshi is not complicated, but understanding the timeline and potential friction points saves headaches. The platform is regulated and your funds are held in segregated accounts, so the money is safe — it is just a matter of standard banking timelines. For a full breakdown of the platform’s features, fees, and markets, check out our in-depth Kalshi review. And if you are still deciding which platform to trade on, our comparison of Kalshi and Polymarket covers the key differences that matter for active traders.
Set up your bank account, verify your identity upfront, and plan your withdrawals around banking hours. That is all there is to it.