# Market Resolution and Disputes

### **Resolution Principles**

Every market is governed by a strict set of rules to ensure there is no confusion when it ends:

* Each event has a **defined criterion** that explains exactly what must happen for a specific outcome.
* The **method of measurement** is clearly defined, including the source, timestamp, and calculation rules.
* There is a defined **process for finality** that determines exactly when the outcome is locked.

### **Common States**

You can track your trade’s journey through these five stages:

* **Open:** The market is live. You are free to buy or sell positions as news breaks.
* **Expired:** The clock has run out. Trading is paused while we wait for the real-world event to conclude.
* **Resolving:** Our system is currently pulling data from official sources to calculate the final result.
* **Resolved:** The official outcome is now public. At this stage, winners are identified.
* **Finalized:** The process is complete. Payouts are safely delivered to your balance, and all possible disputes are closed.

***

### FAQs

<details>

<summary>What happens when a prediction market event ends?</summary>

When an event ends, trading is paused and the market moves through a resolution process to determine the final outcome.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What are the stages of market resolution?</summary>

Markets move through five stages: Open, Expired, Resolving, Resolved, and Finalized, ending with payouts delivered to user balances.

</details>

<details>

<summary>How is the final outcome determined?</summary>

Each market follows predefined resolution rules, including a clear criterion, official data sources, timestamps, and finality conditions.

</details>

<details>

<summary>When do payouts occur?</summary>

Payouts are delivered after the market reaches the Finalized stage, once the outcome is confirmed and disputes are closed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What happens in edge cases or unusual situations?</summary>

Edge cases such as data source outages, event cancellations, ambiguous outcomes, or venue delays are handled according to predefined resolution rules.

</details>


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