> ## 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.
## 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
Always read the resolution rules before trading. The market title describes
the question, but the **rules** define how it resolves.
Anyone can propose a resolution by:
1. Selecting the winning outcome
2. Posting a bond (typically \$750 USDC.e)
3. Submitting the proposal to the UMA Oracle
If the proposal is correct and undisputed, the proposer receives their bond back plus a reward.
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.
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
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`).
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 |
## 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, call the `redeemPositions` function on the CTF contract to exchange winning tokens for USDC.e. The contract burns your tokens and returns the corresponding collateral.
```
100 winning tokens → $100 USDC.e
```
## 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
If you believe a clarification is needed, request it in the [Polymarket
Discord](https://discord.com/invite/polymarket) `#market-review` channel.
## 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
Learn how to redeem winning tokens after resolution.
Understand how markets are structured.