> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.star.fun/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Curation Markets

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Star uses conditional markets to determine which startup raises next. Participants trade markets using `$star` and USDC to express which project should be selected.

Curators are rewarded for selecting startups that perform well post-raise, aligning selection with platform outcomes. This concentrates capital and attention on one founder at a time and provides continuous feedback before the raise begins.

## Why curation markets

* **Leverage market intelligence:** Price action aggregates conviction from many participants, improving selection quality over static committee decisions.
* **Focus attention and capital:** One startup is selected at a time, creating a clearer focal point for the community and reducing fragmented liquidity.
* **Generate real-time feedback:** Teams receive immediate signal from market behavior; strong teams get reinforced, weaker ones learn quickly and can iterate.

## How curation markets work

### 1) Candidate set is formed

* A batch of startups is grouped into one curation market.
* Each startup has a corresponding conditional market outcome.

### 2) Conditional positions are minted

Traders deposit USDC and `$star` to receive conditional USDC and conditional `$star` for every project in the batch.

### 3) Traders express directional views

* If you believe a project should win, you can **buy using conditional USDC**, which pushes that project's price up.
* If you do not believe in a project, you can **sell conditional `$star`**, which pushes that project's price down.

Prices update continuously, creating a live ranking signal across all projects in the market.

### 4) Market resolves and winner advances

At resolution, the highest-signal project is selected to raise next. Capital and community attention converge on that single winner.

## Curator incentives

Staked curators are rewarded for high-quality selection:

* **Curation market trading-fee rewards**

This rewards curators for producing signal that translates into strong post-raise outcomes, not just pre-raise hype.