The UMA Optimistic Oracle is the dispute-based mechanism Polymarket uses to resolve markets. A proposer asserts an outcome, and if nobody disputes it within a challenge window the assertion stands. If it is disputed, UMA token holders vote to decide.
"Optimistic" means the system assumes the proposed answer is correct unless challenged, which makes the common case fast and cheap and reserves the expensive path for genuine disagreement.
For a bot the practical implication is that resolution is not instantaneous and not purely mechanical. There is a window in which the proposed outcome is known but not final, and markets can trade through it.
Assuming resolution is instantaneous and final. There is a window in which an outcome has been proposed but not confirmed, markets keep trading through it, and a disputed assertion can be overturned.
Browse the full glossary (32 terms), the strategy database, or the build guides.
