The five-dollar rule on Steam refers to a security and anti-fraud measure implemented by Valve Corporation to combat spamming, phishing, and malicious bot activities on its digital platform. New accounts are designated as limited user accounts and are restricted from accessing certain community and social features—such as adding friends, trading items, or participating fully in market discussions—until the account has spent a total equivalent of at least $5.00 United States dollars through direct wallet funding, game purchases, or official gift card redemptions.