# Understanding Epochs
The withdrawal system operates using two types of time intervals:
### Normal Epochs
**Duration:**
* Each normal epoch typically lasts 3 days, but the duration can be adjusted depending on protocol requirements. However, the epoch duration cannot be shorter than 1 day.
**Calculation:**
* The current epoch is calculated using:
$$
\text{Current Epoch} = \frac{\text{Current Timestamp} - \text{Start Time}}{\text{Epoch Duration}}
$$
* Any fractional part is discarded, resulting in discrete epoch numbers.
**Usage:**
* Normal epochs manage daily withdrawal requests and short-term pool dynamics.
**Example:**
* If the protocol launched on January 1, 2025, at 00:00:00 UTC with a 3-day epoch duration, then:
* **Epoch 0:** January 1, 2025 – January 3, 2025, 23:59:59
* **Epoch 1:** January 4, 2025 – January 6, 2025, 23:59:59
* **Epoch 2:** January 7, 2025 – January 9, 2025, 23:59:59
***
### Global Epoch
**Duration:**
* A global epoch lasts 7 days.
**Purpose:**
* At the end of each global epoch, the system aggregates trading results to update the fixed collateralization level.
**Collateralization Update:**
* The pool's asset value is compared against the previous baseline.
* If the pool’s value exceeds the baseline, a predefined percentage (e.g., 40%) of the profit is extracted to establish a new baseline.
**Example:**
* If the pool value increases from 10,000 USD to 11,000 USD during the global epoch:
* **Profit:** 1,000 USD
* **Profit extraction (40%):** 400 USD
* **New fixed collateralization level:** 11,000 USD – 400 USD = 10,600 USD
**Impact on Profit Sharing:**
* Profits are distributed only if the pool’s value exceeds this baseline.
* If the pool does not meet or exceed the baseline, profits are not distributed, and losses are carried over to the subsequent epoch.
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