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You want to trade the 2026 World Cup odds, but you have zero crypto. This guide gets you from scratch to your first deposit on AGON. The entire process takes about 15 minutes. We will walk you through setting up a wallet, buying your first crypto asset (USDC), and depositing it to your AGON account on the Base chain. This is the only barrier between you and the arena.
To start, you need three things:
You will also encounter network fees, often called "gas," which typically cost between $1 and $5 on Base. Let's begin.
Getting funds onto AGON is a standardized process. Every trader, from beginner to pro, follows these same core steps.
Your wallet is the key to your on-chain activity. It gives you full control over your funds—no bank can freeze your account. For AGON, you need a wallet that supports the Base network. Here are the top three options. For a deeper dive, see our guide to the best wallets for Base chain in 2026.
Coinbase Wallet is a standalone application, separate from the Coinbase exchange. We recommend it for new users because it's built by the same team that created the Base chain. This means Base is supported natively, so there is no complex network configuration. The mobile app and browser extension offer a clean user interface, and if you already have a Coinbase.com account, your identity verification can often be linked, simplifying the process.
MetaMask is the most widely used crypto wallet in the world. It’s a reliable standard, but it requires a manual step for Base chain users. Out of the box, it only supports Ethereum. You must add the Base network details yourself. While this is a simple copy-paste process, it's an extra step where errors can happen. Choose MetaMask if you already have it set up or if you plan to explore ecosystems beyond Base.
Rabby is a wallet built for active traders and DeFi users. Its key feature is multi-chain awareness; it automatically switches networks as you connect to different applications, which eliminates a common source of user error. Rabby also provides clear transaction simulations, showing you exactly what you are approving. It’s a more advanced tool, but its security features make it a strong contender for those who plan to trade frequently.
| Wallet | Setup Time | KYC Required | Base Support | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase Wallet | ~5 minutes | No (for wallet), Yes (for onramp) | Native | Beginners |
| MetaMask | ~10 minutes | No (for wallet), Yes (for onramp) | Manual Add | Intermediate |
| Rabby | ~10 minutes | No (for wallet), Yes (for onramp) | Automatic | Power Users |
Disclosure: We recommend Coinbase Wallet for its seamless integration with Base, not due to any affiliate relationship.
With your wallet ready, it's time to convert fiat currency (like USD) into crypto. The target asset is USDC, a regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin that is the primary trading currency on AGON. This process is called an "onramp." Every onramp service is a regulated financial entity and will require you to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) check. This typically involves submitting a photo of your government-issued ID and a selfie.
See our detailed guides on how to buy USDC on Base and a comparison of onramp providers.
If you have a Coinbase.com account, this is the most straightforward method. You can buy USDC on the exchange and withdraw it directly to your wallet on the Base network. This often has the lowest fees and is the fastest path. Our guide on Coinbase direct deposits to Base covers this flow in detail.
These are third-party onramp services that often integrate directly into wallet applications. You can access them inside Coinbase Wallet or MetaMask without visiting another website. You simply enter the amount of USDC you want to buy, choose your payment method (card or bank transfer), and complete their KYC flow. The USDC is then sent directly to your wallet address.
Stripe, a major global payment processor, has entered the crypto onramp space. Their service allows you to buy crypto directly within a web application. Some platforms integrate Stripe to offer a seamless purchase flow. Availability is still expanding, but it represents a trusted and simple option where available.
This step is only necessary if your USDC is on a different blockchain. The goal is to get your funds onto the Base network, where AGON operates. If you followed Step 2 and bought USDC directly on Base (e.g., via a Coinbase withdrawal to Base), you can skip this section.
Congratulations, your funds are in the right place. Proceed to Step 4.
You need to use a "bridge" to move your assets. A bridge is a tool that locks your USDC on the source chain and issues an equivalent amount on the destination chain (Base). The official Base Bridge is the most secure option for moving assets from Ethereum. For other chains, third-party bridges like Across or Stargate are often faster and cheaper.
Bridging is a new experience for many. Be prepared for the following:
For detailed instructions, see our guide on bridging USDC to Base.
With your USDC on the Base network in your personal wallet, you are ready to enter the arena. This final step connects your wallet to the AGON platform and moves your funds into your trading account.
Navigate to the AGON Markets homepage. In the top-right corner, you will see a "Connect Wallet" button. Select this. A popup will appear asking you to choose your wallet provider (Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, etc.).
Your wallet extension or mobile app will prompt you to approve the connection to agon.markets. This action does not grant AGON permission to spend your funds. It simply allows the site to view your wallet address and balances, which is necessary to display your portfolio. Review the request and confirm it.
Before you can deposit, you must grant the AGON smart contract permission to transfer USDC from your wallet. This is a standard blockchain security measure. You will be asked to sign an "approval" transaction. You can set the approval limit to a specific amount or to "unlimited" for convenience. This is a one-time action per asset; you will not need to do it again for future USDC deposits.
Once the approval transaction is confirmed, you can deposit. Click on your portfolio balance, enter the amount of USDC you wish to deposit, and confirm the transaction in your wallet. The deposit will be credited to your AGON account within seconds. Your funds are now ready to be used in any of the live prediction markets.
Note: Access to prediction markets may be restricted in certain jurisdictions. Please consult local regulations.
Things can sometimes go wrong. Here’s how to handle the most common funding problems.
First, refresh the page. If that fails, make sure you only have one browser wallet extension active at a time (e.g., disable MetaMask if you are trying to use Coinbase Wallet). Also, check that your wallet is set to the Base network.
Bridges can sometimes take longer than expected, especially during periods of high network traffic. Check the transaction on a block explorer like Basescan. If it's been over 30 minutes, check the bridge's official support channels (e.g., Discord or Twitter) for any reported delays.
A transaction can get stuck if the gas fee was set too low. Most modern wallets allow you to "speed up" a pending transaction by resubmitting it with a higher fee. If your transaction is stuck and you're feeling rekt, this is usually the fastest fix.
This usually happens due to a blurry ID photo or a name mismatch. Double-check that the information you entered matches your legal documents exactly. Most providers will allow you to re-submit your documents. If the problem persists, contact their customer support directly.
Your account is funded. The entire world of prediction markets is now open. What is your first move?
Head to the markets catalog to see all active predictions. You can filter by category, such as sports, crypto, or politics. For the 2026 World Cup, you'll find markets for individual matches, group winners, and the tournament champion. Find a market where you believe you have an edge.
Discipline separates winners from losers. A common risk management strategy is to risk no more than 1-5% of your total bankroll on any single prediction. This approach, based on the Kelly criterion, helps you withstand losses and stay in the game long enough for your edge to play out.
If you're a developer or data scientist, you can go beyond manual trading. AGON allows anyone to deploy an autonomous AI trading agent. These agents can execute complex strategies 24/7. To get started, see the documentation for deploying a new agent.
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The most cost-effective method is typically buying USDC on a centralized exchange like Coinbase and withdrawing it directly to the Base network. This avoids the higher percentage-based fees charged by many third-party onramp services that specialize in credit/debit card transactions. The withdrawal fee from an exchange is usually a flat network fee, which is minimal on Base.
Yes. AGON is a permissionless, non-custodial platform. This means you must have your own crypto wallet, such as Coinbase Wallet or MetaMask, to interact with it. Unlike traditional platforms, we never take custody of your funds in a centralized account. Your wallet gives you direct control over your assets on the , which is a core principle of decentralized finance and ensures transparency.
Once you have USDC in your wallet on the Base network, the final deposit process is nearly instant. After you approve and submit the deposit transaction from your wallet, it typically confirms on the Base blockchain in 2-3 seconds. The funds will then immediately appear in your AGON account balance, ready for trading. The longest part of the overall process is the initial wallet setup and ID verification with an onramp provider.
Yes, using Coinbase is one of the most efficient methods. You can buy USDC on Coinbase.com and then withdraw it from your exchange account directly to your personal wallet (like Coinbase Wallet or MetaMask) on the Base network. From there, you connect your wallet to AGON and deposit the funds. This two-step process (exchange -> wallet -> AGON) is standard and secure.
Yes. The process is secured at multiple levels. Onramp providers like Coinbase and Moonpay are regulated financial services that use industry-standard security for payments and KYC. Your wallet is secured by your private key, which only you control. Finally, all deposits on AGON are handled by audited smart contracts on the Base blockchain. You can review our security audits and the inherent security of the Base network.
You need to acquire crypto first. AGON operates on-chain and only accepts USDC deposits from a crypto wallet. You cannot connect a bank account or credit card directly to the platform. You must use an onramp service (like Coinbase, Moonpay, or Transak) as a bridge to convert your fiat currency (e.g., USD) into USDC on the Base network before you can deposit.