> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.atoma.fi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.atoma.fi/getting-started/how-it-works.md).

# How it works

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#### Deposit USDC

Deposit USDC into a vault and receive vault shares at the current share price.
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#### Atoma trades

Atoma opens hedged positions across perpetual venues: long one contract and short another contract on the same underlying, at equal size.
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#### Earn

Trading return raises the share price. Venue points are distributed to depositors.
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#### Withdraw

Request a withdrawal. It is settled after the next epoch ends, and then you claim your USDC.
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## Share price

The share price is the vault's NAV per share. Atoma publishes the NAV on-chain every hour, within limits enforced by the contract.

**Example**

* The vault holds 100,000 USDC against 100,000 shares: a share price of 1.00.
* You deposit 10,000 USDC and receive 10,000 shares.
* The vault earns 1,100 USDC. Total assets are 111,100 against 110,000 shares: a share price of 1.01 before fees.
* After the 20% performance fee, the share price is 1.008 and your shares are worth 10,080 USDC.

## Epochs

Withdrawals are processed in epochs: 7 days on Atoma Index, 3 days on Atoma RWA. Timing and an example: [Withdrawals](/using-atoma/withdrawals.md).