> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.uniocean.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.uniocean.io/quickstart.md).

# Quickstart

Create an account and submit your first forecast in under 3 minutes.

![Getting Started](https://2863428870-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F80Mih2wy0x6vMgmpFKdI%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f4b79026701f357cbdb4535ef181eca7a94e0f9f%2F21-getting-started.png?alt=media)

Get started with Uniocean in three simple steps. No crypto experience required.

***

## Step 1: Create Your Account

1. Visit the Uniocean platform
2. Click **Sign In**
3. Choose your login method:
   * **Email** — enter your email, verify with a code
   * **Google** — one-click sign-in
   * **Crypto wallet** — connect MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or others

{% hint style="success" %}
A secure wallet is created automatically for you. No seed phrases, no browser extensions, no setup.
{% endhint %}

***

## Step 2: Fund Your Wallet

You need USDT or USDC to submit forecasts. The standard entry fee is **10 USDT/USDC**, though some events may use a different published entry fee.

| Method         | How                                                                  |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Deposit crypto | Send USDT/USDC to your wallet address                                |
| Bridge         | Transfer from Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, BNB Chain, or Tron |

***

## Step 3: Submit Your First Forecast

1. Browse available markets (e.g., **BTC/USD** — 1 Hour, 4 Hour, Daily)
2. Open a **Live** market
3. Enter the precise price you believe the asset will reach at settlement
4. Confirm the entry fee
5. Submit — the platform relays your signed forecast and records it on-chain after confirmation

{% hint style="info" %}
**Zero gas fees.** The platform handles all blockchain transactions for you. You never pay gas.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Want to practise first? [Paper trading](/account-and-wallet/paper-trading.md) provides 5,000 USDT and 5,000 USDC on testnet signup. Paper-trading settlement uses Uniocean's own on-chain oracle, so its final price may differ from a comparable production event settled with Pyth.
{% endhint %}

***

## What Happens Next

Every market progresses through a series of phases:

| Phase                   | Status | What's Happening                                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------- | ------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Upcoming**            | 🔵     | Market is scheduled but not yet open. You can view details and prepare your strategy.                                                                                       |
| **Live**                | 🟢     | Market is open for forecasts. Submit your price prediction during this window (\~70% of total duration). Rankings update every second as the oracle price moves.            |
| **Locked**              | 🟠     | Entry window closed. No new forecasts accepted. Rankings continue to shift as the price moves during the cooling period (\~30% of total duration).                          |
| **Concluded (Settled)** | 🟣     | Market has ended. The final oracle price is recorded on-chain, final rankings are calculated, and rewards are distributed according to the event's published configuration. |
| **Cancelled**           | 🔴     | Market has been cancelled under the platform's cancellation process. Refund status and timing are shown in the platform after cancellation is confirmed.                    |

***

## Quick Reference

| Item                  | Value                                                                                   |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Standard forecast fee | 10 USDT/USDC (variable for featured events)                                             |
| Event fee             | Published per event; events may use 3%–10% (maximum 10%)                                |
| Forecast limits       | Events may limit total forecasts and forecasts per user; per-user limit is at most 100  |
| Who wins              | The rewarded range published for that event (standard public events use a 51% win rate) |
| Gas fees              | Zero (platform-covered)                                                                 |
| Reward delivery       | Automatic — no claiming needed                                                          |
| Cancellation refund   | Processed automatically after cancellation is confirmed                                 |

***

## Next Steps

* [Uniocean 101](/uniocean-101.md) — understand how the platform works in depth
* [Markets & Events](/core-concepts/markets-and-events.md) — learn about asset categories and durations
* [Reward Overview](/rewards/overview.md) — understand how rewards are distributed
* [Strategies & Tips](/forecasting/strategies.md) — improve your forecasting accuracy
* [Paper Trading](/account-and-wallet/paper-trading.md) — practise with testnet balances