Every market on Catalyst resolves based on the actual outcome of the underlying real-world event. Catalyst does not set resolution rules or make independent resolution decisions, it mirrors Polymarket directly.
When a market resolves on Polymarket, it resolves the same way in Catalyst, using the same data sources and the same outcome. Your trade settles only after Polymarket officially marks the market as resolved.
How long settlement takes
Settlement timing depends on the type of market.
Market type | How it resolves | Typical timing |
Crypto price markets (5-min, 15-min intervals) | Automated price feed via Chainlink — no human involved, no dispute possible | Near-instant when the clock runs out |
Daily stock, commodity, and index markets | Automated at session close via Pyth Network — no dispute possible | At the end of the trading session |
Everything else — sports, politics, world events, entertainment | A proposer submits the winning outcome and posts a bond. A 2-hour challenge window opens. If undisputed, the market resolves. If challenged, resolution takes 4–6 days. | ~2 hours after the event ends if undisputed. Up to 4–6 days if disputed. |
Always read the About section before trading
Every market has an About section below the price chart. It states exactly how the market resolves, what data source is used, and the official determination time. The determination time may be later than when the event appears to end — this is especially common for crypto and financial markets.
What happens when a market settles
Winning contracts settle at their full value per contract
Losing contracts settle at zero
Your Realized Account Balance updates automatically
Settled positions move to Trade History in your Portfolio
Settled trades are final. Once Polymarket officially marks a market as resolved, that outcome is locked and Catalyst settles your position based on that result. Settled trades are not reversed under any circumstances.
You can check the resolution status of any market at any time on the Polymarket event page. Find the market on Polymarket, open it, and click the Resolution tab to see whether the outcome is proposed, under dispute, or final.
What does "Event closed" mean?
If you see "Event closed" in the order ticket, the market is no longer accepting new orders. This appears when the determination time has passed or the event has concluded and is awaiting resolution. Any position you already hold will settle normally — "Event closed" only affects new orders.
Can my trade outcome change after it settles?
No. Once Polymarket marks a market as resolved, the outcome is final and recorded on-chain. Catalyst settles your trade based on that result and does not reverse settled trades. Polymarket's dispute process happens before resolution, not after. By the time your trade settles, the outcome is locked.