> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.aqua.network/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.aqua.network/voting-and-rewards/reward-cycle.md).

# Reward cycle

Aquarius runs on several overlapping cycles. Votes are counted continuously, reward allocations refresh daily, Stellar DEX (SDEX) rewards pay hourly, AMM rewards accrue every block, bribes run in weekly rounds, and delegate rewards pay monthly. This page shows when each thing happens; the mechanics live on the linked pages.

## The rhythm at a glance

| When (UTC)              | What happens                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Continuously            | Votes are tracked; [AMM rewards](/voting-and-rewards/aquarius-amm-rewards.md) accrue every block; [Pool Incentives](/for-projects/pool-incentives.md) stream over their campaign period |
| Every hour              | [SDEX rewards](/voting-and-rewards/sdex-rewards.md) are calculated shortly after the hour and paid out around half past                                                                 |
| Once a day              | Reward allocations resync from the latest [vote standings](/voting-and-rewards/aquarius-voting.md) — at an unpredictable time within the day, so the update moment can't be gamed       |
| Once a day, random time | Each bribed market takes its payout snapshot and pays [bribes](/for-projects/what-are-bribes.md) to voters                                                                              |
| Sunday 18:00            | Deadline to submit bribes for the following week                                                                                                                                        |
| Sunday 19:00            | Bribes for the coming week are collected and validated                                                                                                                                  |
| Monday–Sunday           | Approved bribes are distributed linearly, one payout per day                                                                                                                            |
| Monthly                 | [Delegate rewards](/aqua-and-ice/overview/reward-program-for-delegates.md) are paid, computed from daily delegation snapshots                                                           |

## What this means in practice

* **Your vote doesn't move rewards instantly.** Votes are counted as soon as they confirm, but reward allocations refresh once a day — expect a market's rewards to reflect new votes within a day, not within minutes.
* **SDEX rewards arrive hourly, automatically** — your wallet needs an AQUA trustline at payout time, or the payout skips you.
* **AMM rewards accrue every block but are not pushed to you** — claim them in [My Aquarius](/user-guides/dashboard.md) or through the [claim function](/developers/code-examples/claim-lp-rewards.md).
* **Bribes snapshot at a random time each day.** Keep your votes on the bribed market around the clock and hold a trustline for the bribe asset — adjusting votes can mean missing that day's snapshot.
* **Bribes operate on whole weeks.** A bribe submitted before Sunday 18:00 UTC starts paying the following Monday; submitted after, it waits an extra week.