Meta Tests Takes, an Internal Prediction-Market App That Uses Virtual Points

Meta Platforms has started testing a prediction-market application called Takes with its employees, marking another step in the company’s exploration of products built around forecasting real-world events. The internal app allows participants to make predictions about questions and events using a virtual currency called “cred,” rather than placing bets with real money, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The testing signals Meta’s interest in a growing category of digital platforms that allow users to express opinions about future outcomes and track the accuracy of their predictions. The project was previously known internally as Arena. However, Meta has not announced a public release, and it remains unclear whether the company intends to make Takes available to consumers.

What Is Meta’s Takes App?

Takes is an experimental prediction-market app that allows Meta employees to forecast the outcomes of different events. Instead of using cash, participants use virtual points called “cred,” short for credibility.

Employees earn cred when their predictions are correct and lose points when they get an outcome wrong. This system gives participants a way to compete based on the accuracy of their forecasts without directly risking money.

The app is currently being tested internally and is not available to the general public, according to the Reuters report summarising The Wall Street Journal’s findings.

The use of virtual points also distinguishes Takes from established prediction-market platforms that allow users to trade contracts connected to real-world events using money.

Meta has not disclosed the full list of available prediction categories, the app’s user interface or whether participants can create their own questions.

From Arena to Takes: Meta’s Prediction-Market Plans

The Takes test follows earlier reports about Meta developing a standalone prediction-market product under the internal name Arena.

In June 2026, reports indicated that CEO Mark Zuckerberg had directed a small team to explore an application similar to prediction platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi.

The earlier project was reportedly designed around a points-based system rather than real-money betting. Takes appears to represent a continuation of that development effort, although Meta has not publicly explained the relationship between the two names or announced a formal product roadmap.

A standalone application could allow Meta to experiment with prediction-based interactions without immediately integrating them into its existing social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

The company has not confirmed whether Takes will remain a separate application or eventually become part of a broader social product.

How the Virtual Cred Points System Works

The central feature of Takes is its virtual points mechanism. Participants make predictions about events and receive or lose cred depending on whether their forecasts prove correct.

Feature	Reported details
App name	Takes
Developer	Meta Platforms
Current users	Meta employees
Prediction system	Forecasting questions and events
Virtual currency	Cred, short for credibility
Real-money wagering	Not part of the reported employee test
Public availability	No launch date announced

The system resembles prediction games in which users compete to demonstrate how accurately they can anticipate future developments.

For Meta, a points-based model could provide an opportunity to test user engagement, competition mechanics and the appeal of forecasting without immediately introducing real-money transactions.

It could also help the company understand which types of questions attract participation and whether users return regularly to compare their predictions with actual outcomes.

However, the reported details remain limited. Meta has not provided information about scoring rules, leaderboards, rewards or whether cred points can be exchanged for anything of monetary value.

Meta Enters a Growing Prediction-Market Industry

Takes is being tested as prediction markets attract growing attention from consumers, investors and technology companies.

Platforms such as <underline>Polymarket</underline> and <underline>Kalshi</underline> allow users to trade contracts tied to the outcomes of events. These can cover subjects including politics, economics, sports and business developments.

Unlike conventional opinion polls, prediction markets attach a market price to a possible outcome. That price is often interpreted as an indication of the market’s collective assessment of the probability of an event occurring.

The platforms have attracted younger users in particular. A recent S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan survey cited by Reuters found that just over 60% of Kalshi and Polymarket users were younger than 35.

That demographic is relevant to Meta, which operates several large consumer platforms and continues to explore new ways to attract and retain younger audiences.

A prediction-focused product could create another form of interaction beyond conventional social-media posts, comments and short-form video. Users could participate in shared forecasts, compare their accuracy and follow how predictions change as new information emerges.

Regulatory Questions Surround Real-Money Prediction Markets

The expansion of prediction markets has also brought increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States.

Kalshi and Polymarket have faced legal challenges from state authorities over whether certain event-based contracts should be treated as gambling or financial products. The companies have maintained that their platforms operate within the applicable federal regulatory framework.

The distinction between financial contracts and gambling is important because it affects which authorities oversee these platforms and what rules apply to their operations.

Meta’s reported use of virtual cred rather than real money gives Takes a different structure from platforms where users stake funds on event outcomes. It may allow the company to test forecasting features without directly replicating the financial activity offered by existing prediction markets.

Nevertheless, a future expansion involving cash, tradable contracts or monetary rewards could raise additional legal and regulatory questions. Meta has not announced plans to introduce those features.

The broader prediction-market industry is also facing concerns about insider information, particularly when users can trade on political, government or corporate developments. These issues could influence how platforms design their markets and restrict participation.

What Takes Could Mean for Meta’s Product Strategy

Meta has a history of experimenting with standalone applications and new social features. Takes could become another attempt to explore a product category that sits between social networking, gaming and information discovery.

Prediction markets offer a different engagement model because users are not simply consuming information or sharing opinions. They are making forecasts that can later be evaluated against real-world outcomes.

A successful product could encourage users to follow developments more closely and return to check whether their predictions were correct. It could also create opportunities for discussions around business, technology, entertainment and public events.

However, an internal employee test does not guarantee a commercial launch. Meta regularly evaluates new products and features before deciding whether they are suitable for wider distribution.

The Bigger Picture

Meta’s experiment with Takes reflects a wider shift in how technology companies are exploring interactive information products. Prediction markets have moved beyond specialist financial platforms and are attracting attention as a possible format for consumer engagement.

For Meta, the opportunity is to combine forecasting with its experience in building large-scale social products. A virtual points system provides a relatively controlled way to examine whether users enjoy competing on the accuracy of their predictions.

The regulatory environment will remain an important consideration if the company considers expanding beyond virtual points. Real-money prediction markets face legal disputes and questions about consumer protection, market integrity and the use of confidential information. Meta’s decision to begin with an internal points-based test keeps the current experiment separate from those financial-market activities.

Looking Ahead

The immediate next step for Takes is further internal testing and refinement. Meta will need to assess whether employees find the prediction format useful and engaging before making any decision about a wider rollout. The company has not confirmed a launch schedule, supported platforms or a final set of features.

Whether Takes becomes a standalone consumer app or remains an internal experiment is still unknown. Its development nevertheless shows that Meta is examining prediction-based interactions as another possible way to expand its product portfolio while the broader prediction-market industry continues to grow.