> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.polymarket.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Resolution

> How markets are resolved and winning positions redeemed

When the outcome of an event becomes known, the market is **resolved**. Resolution determines which outcome won, allowing holders of winning tokens to redeem them for \$1 each. Losing tokens become worthless.

Polymarket uses the **UMA Optimistic Oracle** for decentralized, permissionless resolution. Anyone can propose an outcome, and anyone can dispute it if they believe it's incorrect.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/polymarket-292d1b1b/FOMte3ewbG-LVy3k/images/core-concepts/resolution-lifecycle.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=FOMte3ewbG-LVy3k&q=85&s=6726569af3efd6f4fda54528c8eb0d0a" alt="" className="dark:hidden" width="1722" height="952" data-path="images/core-concepts/resolution-lifecycle.png" />

  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/polymarket-292d1b1b/FOMte3ewbG-LVy3k/images/dark/core-concepts/resolution-lifecycle.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=FOMte3ewbG-LVy3k&q=85&s=36e91c655f7f50b18dea3a23b44f8c23" alt="" className="hidden dark:block" width="1722" height="952" data-path="images/dark/core-concepts/resolution-lifecycle.png" />
</Frame>

## Resolution Rules

Every market has pre-defined resolution rules that specify:

* **Resolution source** — Where the outcome will be determined from (e.g., official announcements, specific websites)
* **End date** — When the market is eligible for resolution
* **Edge cases** — How ambiguous situations should be handled

<Warning>
  Always read the resolution rules before trading. The market title describes
  the question, but the **rules** define how it resolves.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Proposal">
    Anyone can propose a resolution by:

    1. Selecting the winning outcome
    2. Posting a bond (typically \$750 pUSD)
    3. Submitting the proposal to the UMA Oracle

    If the proposal is correct and undisputed, the proposer receives their bond back plus a reward.

    <Warning>
      If you propose incorrectly or too early, you lose your entire bond. Only
      propose if you're confident in the outcome and understand the process.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Challenge Period">
    After a proposal, there's a **2-hour challenge period** where anyone can dispute the outcome.

    * **If no dispute**: The proposal is accepted and the market resolves
    * **If disputed**: A new proposal round begins. If the second proposal is also disputed, the resolution escalates to UMA's DVM (Data Verification Mechanism) for a token holder vote.

    There are three possible resolution flows:

    1. **No dispute** — Propose then Resolve (fastest, \~2 hours)
    2. **One dispute** — Propose, Challenge, second Propose, Resolve (second proposal accepted)
    3. **Two disputes** — Propose, Challenge, second Propose, second Challenge, Resolve via DVM vote
  </Step>

  <Step title="Dispute - If Challenged">
    To dispute a proposal:

    1. Post a counter-bond (same amount as proposer, typically \$750)
    2. The dispute triggers a new proposal round, or if already in the second round, a debate period

    During the **24-48 hour debate period**, evidence can be submitted in UMA's Discord channels (`#evidence-rationale` and `#voting-discussion`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="UMA Vote">
    After the debate period, UMA token holders vote on the correct outcome. The voting process takes approximately 48 hours.

    | Outcome           | Result                                 | Bond Distribution                                                                                        |
    | ----------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Proposer wins** | Original proposal accepted             | Proposer gets bond back + half of disputer's bond                                                        |
    | **Disputer wins** | Proposal rejected, new proposal needed | Disputer gets bond back + half of proposer's bond                                                        |
    | **Too Early**     | Event hasn't concluded yet             | Disputer gets bond back + half of proposer's bond                                                        |
    | **Unknown/50-50** | Neither outcome applicable (rare)      | Market resolves 50/50 — each token redeems for \$0.50; disputer gets bond back + half of proposer's bond |
  </Step>
</Steps>

## After Resolution

Once a market resolves:

* **Trading stops** — You can no longer buy or sell tokens for this market
* **Winning tokens** become redeemable for \$1.00 each
* **Losing tokens** become worthless (\$0.00)

### Redeeming Tokens

After resolution, redeem through the CTF collateral adapter to exchange winning tokens for pUSD. The adapter burns your ERC1155 outcome tokens through the CTF contract, receives the released USDC.e collateral, wraps it into pUSD, and returns pUSD to your wallet.

```
100 winning tokens → $100 pUSD
```

## Clarifications

In rare cases, unforeseen circumstances require clarification of the rules after trading begins. Polymarket may issue an **"Additional context"** update that proposers and voters should consider during resolution.

Clarifications:

* Cannot change the fundamental intent of the question
* Are published onchain via the bulletin board contract
* Should be considered by UMA voters when resolving disputes

<Tip>
  If you believe a clarification is needed, request it in the [Polymarket
  Discord](https://discord.com/invite/polymarket) `#market-review` channel.
</Tip>

## Resolution Timeline

| Phase                       | Duration    |
| --------------------------- | ----------- |
| Challenge period            | 2 hours     |
| Debate period (if disputed) | 24-48 hours |
| UMA voting (if disputed)    | \~48 hours  |

**Undisputed resolution**: \~2 hours after proposal

**Disputed resolution**: 4-6 days total

## Contract Addresses

| Contract               | Address                                      | Network         |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | --------------- |
| **UmaCtfAdapter v3.0** | `0x157Ce2d672854c848c9b79C49a8Cc6cc89176a49` | Polygon Mainnet |
| **UmaCtfAdapter v2.0** | `0x6A9D222616C90FcA5754cd1333cFD9b7fb6a4F74` | Polygon Mainnet |
| **UmaCtfAdapter v1.0** | `0xCB1822859cEF82Cd2Eb4E6276C7916e692995130` | Polygon Mainnet |

## Resources

* [UMA Oracle Portal](https://oracle.uma.xyz/) — View and interact with proposals
* [UMA Documentation](https://docs.uma.xyz/) — Learn more about the Optimistic Oracle
* [Polymarket Discord](https://discord.com/invite/polymarket) — Discuss resolutions and request clarifications
* [UmaCtfAdapter Source Code](https://github.com/Polymarket/uma-ctf-adapter) — Smart contract source
* [UmaCtfAdapter Audit](https://github.com/Polymarket/uma-ctf-adapter/blob/main/audit/Polymarket_UMA_Optimistic_Oracle_Adapter_Audit.pdf) — Security audit report

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Positions & Tokens" icon="coins" href="/concepts/positions-tokens">
    Learn how to redeem winning tokens after resolution.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Markets & Events" icon="calendar" href="/concepts/markets-events">
    Understand how markets are structured.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
