When Things Don’t Look Right
After a market’s outcome is asserted, there’s a challenge window — a period of time where anyone can review the result. If someone believes the asserted outcome is wrong, they can file a dispute. Disputes are rare (most markets resolve smoothly), but the system exists to make sure every market is resolved correctly.How Disputes Work
An outcome is asserted
Someone submits a result to the blockchain — for example, “Yes, Bitcoin hit $100k.” They back this assertion with a bond (a deposit of money that they’re willing to lose if they’re wrong).
Someone disagrees
During the challenge window (typically 2 hours), another person reviews the assertion and believes it’s incorrect. They file a dispute by posting their own counter-bond — matching the original bond amount.
It goes to a vote
The dispute is escalated to the UMA DVM (Data Verification Mechanism) — a decentralized voting system where UMA token holders review the evidence and vote on the correct outcome.
The UMA DVM is a community of independent voters who get paid to verify facts. They have no stake in the market itself — their job is just to determine the truth.
Voters decide
UMA token holders review the market question, the asserted outcome, and any available evidence. They vote on what the correct outcome should be. The process typically takes 24-48 hours.
The Bond System
Bonds are what keep the system honest. Here’s how the economics work:| Who | If they’re right | If they’re wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Asserter (submitted the original result) | Gets bond back + disputer’s bond (minus fee) | Loses their bond |
| Disputer (challenged the result) | Gets bond back + asserter’s bond (minus fee) | Loses their bond |
Why bonds matter: Posting a bond means you’re putting real money behind your claim. This discourages frivolous disputes and false assertions. You only dispute if you’re confident the outcome is genuinely wrong — because you’ll lose money if you’re wrong.
What This Means for Regular Traders
As a regular trader, you’ll rarely need to interact with the dispute system directly. Here’s what you should know:Do I need to do anything during a dispute?
Do I need to do anything during a dispute?
No. If a market you traded in gets disputed, just wait. The dispute will be resolved by UMA voters, and then you can claim your winnings as normal. Your shares are safe regardless of the dispute process.
How long does a dispute take?
How long does a dispute take?
Disputes typically resolve within 24-48 hours through the UMA voting process. It’s longer than the normal 2-hour challenge window, but it ensures the correct outcome is reached.
Can I file a dispute?
Can I file a dispute?
Technically, anyone can dispute an assertion. However, you need to post a counter-bond (matching the original bond amount), and you’ll lose that money if you’re wrong. Only dispute if you’re certain the asserted outcome is incorrect.
What if I disagree but don't want to post a bond?
What if I disagree but don't want to post a bond?
If you see an outcome you think is wrong but don’t want to risk a bond, you can raise the issue in the PrometheX community on Discord. Someone who agrees with you may be willing to file the dispute.
Has a dispute ever overturned a result?
Has a dispute ever overturned a result?
The dispute system is designed as a safety net. In practice, the bond incentive is strong enough that most assertions are correct from the start. The dispute mechanism exists to catch the rare mistake.
Dispute Timeline
| Phase | Duration | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge window | ~2 hours | Anyone can review the assertion and file a dispute |
| Dispute filed | Instant | Counter-bond posted, escalated to UMA DVM |
| Voting period | 24-48 hours | UMA token holders vote on the correct outcome |
| Resolution | Instant | Market settles, bonds awarded, winners can claim |