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Resolution Process

Market Resolution Process

How markets are resolved trustlessly using the UMA Oracle.

Who decides who won? This is the most critical part of a decentralized prediction market. Polymarket uses UMA (Universal Market Access), an optimistic oracle system.

The Flow

  1. Event Ends: The deadline passes, or the event criteria are met (e.g., election results announced).
  2. Proposal: Anyone can propose a resolution (e.g., "Yes, Trump Won"). They must post a bond (money) to do this.
  3. Challenge Period (usually 2 hours):
    • If the proposal is correct, nobody challenges it. The proposal passes.
    • If the proposal is wrong (or malicious), anyone can Dispute it by posting a bond.
  4. Dispute: If disputed, the decision goes to UMA Token Holders (a decentralized voting body). They vote on the correct outcome.
  5. Final Settlement: The honest side wins the bond money from the dishonest side, and the market resolves correctly.

"Rules" are King

Every market has a "Rules" section (click the tiny scroll icon or 'Rules' tab).

  • The resolution is based strictly on these written rules.
  • Example: "Market resolves to 'Yes' if the New York Times reports X by date Y." -> Even if X happened, if NYT didn't report it, the market might resolve 'No' (depending on exact wording).

Always read the rules before betting!