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How does an ascending-clock, second-price auction work?

Last Updated: August 2026

In an ascending-clock, second-price auction:

  • The auction price increases in a series of timed steps.
  • Participating bidders successively choose to exit as the price rises.
  • The auction concludes when only one bidder remains.
  • The bidder with the highest bid wins the auction and pays the second-highest bid.