> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.yellow.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.yellow.pro/competitions-and-rewards/everything-about-competitions.md).

# Everything About Competitions

Trading Competitions are time-based events where users compete on trading activity, get ranked on a leaderboard, and top performers earn rewards when the competition ends.

This article covers the rules and mechanics common to **every** competition. For dates, prize pools, reward tokens, and other specifics, check that competition's page in the **Competition Hub**.

<figure><img src="/files/7lD9KOsRoqvAuNzPen8Q" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### **Joining**

* Join anytime before the competition's end time from the Competitions page.
* **Only trades placed after you join count** — tracking starts the moment you join; earlier activity is ignored.
* Button shown depends on your status: **Login** (not logged in) → **Deposit** (logged in, no balance in your Trading/Spot Account) → **Join** (logged in, with balance).
* Before a competition starts, you can preview the page, reward structure, and countdown, but can't join yet.

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### **Timeline**

Each competition shows a **start time**, **end time**, **countdown**, and **reward structure** — all in **UTC**.

* **Before it starts:** countdown shows time remaining until the competition begins.
* **Active:** countdown switches to show time remaining until the competition ends; join and trade; leaderboard tracks and updates your position.
* **Ended:** no further volume counted, rankings locked, rewards processed.

### What You'll See on the Competition Page

Every competition page shows the competition's name, description, and duration; a countdown (to start or end); your join status; prize pool and rewarded ranks; participant count and total volume, alongside your own rank and volume; a leaderboard (rank, trader identifier, volume, reward); and, where applicable, your current tier and the full tier table.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="During a Competition" %}
While a competition is active, the page reflects it live:

* Countdown shows time remaining until the competition ends
* Your join status, rank, and volume update as you trade
* The leaderboard and live race view update in real time
* Your Tier panel reflects your current tier and progress toward the next one
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="After Competition Ends" %}
Once a competition closes, the page updates to reflect its ended state:

* Countdown is replaced with an "ended" message (e.g., competition closed, final rankings being verified, rewards distributed within 7 days)
* The leaderboard locks to show final rankings
* Your Tier panel shows the tier you finished at

{% hint style="warning" %}
Exact panels shown can vary slightly by competition — see that competition's Hub page for what applies there.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

**Live race view** — opened via a "View race board" button, this shows an animated, real-time visualization of rankings with a live "moves" feed (overtakes, gaps closing, etc.); updates continuously while the competition is active.

<figure><img src="/files/y6IEaLYlpc7xEMcpMQ9S" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### How Volume Is Calculated

Volume = **USD-equivalent value** of your trades during the competition, counted from when you join.

* **Counts:** fully filled orders (full value); partially filled orders (executed portion only); all eligible markets, unless a competition says otherwise.
* **Doesn't count:** cancelled orders; trades before you joined.
* **Example:** a $5,000 trade executed during the competition adds $5,000 to your volume.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Eligible products/markets (Spot, Perpetual, or both) can vary — check the Hub page.
{% endhint %}

### Leaderboard

Ranks participants by total eligible volume. Refreshes **every 1 minute (UTC)**, so recent trades appear almost in real time, and your rank can shift as others trade.

Shows: **identifier** (your external wallet address, or Yellow Wallet address for Google Sign-in users), **volume**, and **current reward allocation** — all subject to change until the competition ends.

### Rewards

* Credited automatically to your Trading Account (<mark style="color:red;">`Spot Account`</mark>) — no manual claim needed.
* Distributed within **7 days** after the competition ends.
* **Token and structure vary by competition** (e.g., USDT or $YELLOW; top 10 only vs. top 500) — check the Hub page for exact details.

### Eligibility & Fair Usage

* Join any active competition before it ends; participation may be restricted in certain regions per platform policy/regulations.
* **Prohibited:** wash trading (fake volume, no real exposure), abusive/coordinated trading, and market manipulation — any of these can mean disqualification or removal from the leaderboard. Enforcement details may vary by competition (see Hub page).

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### Every Competition Is Different

Reward structure, reward token, eligible products/markets, duration, and additional fair-usage rules are set per competition. **Always check that competition's Competition Hub page before participating.**