Terms of Service

Last updated: March 24, 2026

1. Nature of the Protocol

1.1 Protocol, Not a Service

FlowEscrow (the “Protocol”) is a set of open-source, autonomous smart contracts deployed on the Alephium blockchain together with a web-based user interface (the “Interface”) that facilitates interaction with those smart contracts. The Protocol is not a financial service, escrow agent, custodian, broker, fiduciary, intermediary, or money transmitter.

1.2 No Custody of Funds

At no point does The operator of the FlowEscrow Interface (“the Operator,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), its officers, employees, agents, or affiliates take custody, possession, or control of any user funds. All funds are held exclusively within autonomous smart contracts on the Alephium blockchain. The Operator has no ability to access, freeze, redirect, seize, or otherwise control funds deposited into Protocol smart contracts, except through the publicly auditable arbitration mechanism encoded in the smart contracts themselves.

1.3 Self-Executing Contracts

Once deployed, Protocol smart contracts execute autonomously based on their pre-defined logic. The Operator cannot modify, pause, upgrade, or intervene in any deployed smart contract. The terms of each escrow are determined solely by the parties at the time of creation and are permanently encoded on the blockchain.

1.4 Peer-to-Peer Transactions

All transactions through the Protocol are peer-to-peer between users. The Operator does not participate in, facilitate, broker, or guarantee any transaction between users. Users interact directly with the Alephium blockchain through their own wallets.

2. Acceptance and Eligibility

2.1 Agreement

By connecting a wallet to the Interface, submitting a transaction, creating or interacting with any smart contract through the Protocol, or otherwise accessing the Interface, you agree to these Terms. This agreement is between you and the Operator solely with respect to the provision of the Interface — not with respect to the underlying Protocol smart contracts.

2.2 Eligibility

You represent and warrant that you are: (a) at least 18 years old; (b) legally capable of entering into binding agreements; (c) not located in, or a resident of, any jurisdiction where the use of blockchain-based protocols is prohibited; (d) not subject to any sanctions administered by OFAC, the UN Security Council, or any equivalent governmental authority; and (e) not using the Protocol for any unlawful purpose.

2.3 Regulatory Compliance Is Your Responsibility

You are solely responsible for determining whether your use of the Protocol complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules in your jurisdiction, including but not limited to: trade finance regulations, export controls, sanctions laws, anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, know-your-customer (KYC) obligations, tax reporting, securities laws, and any other financial or trade regulations. The Operator makes no representations regarding the legality of the Protocol in any jurisdiction.

3. Risk Acknowledgment

3.1 Smart Contract Risk

Smart contracts are experimental technology. Despite reasonable efforts at security, smart contracts may contain bugs, vulnerabilities, or errors that could result in the loss of funds, unintended execution, or unexpected behavior. The Operator does not warrant that Protocol smart contracts are free from defects.

3.2 Blockchain Risk

The Alephium blockchain is a decentralized, public network not controlled by the Operator. Risks include but are not limited to: network congestion, chain forks, consensus failures, validator attacks, protocol-level bugs, network downtime, and changes to the underlying blockchain protocol that may affect smart contract execution.

3.3 Stablecoin Risk

USDT, USDC, and other stablecoins used in the Protocol are third-party tokens not issued, controlled, or guaranteed by the Operator. Stablecoins may lose their peg to the US dollar, become illiquid, be frozen by their issuers, or become worthless. The Operator bears no responsibility for the value, availability, or behavior of any third-party tokens.

3.4 Bridge Risk

Tokens used in the Protocol may be bridged from other blockchains (e.g., Ethereum via Wormhole/AlphBridge). Bridge protocols carry inherent risks including but not limited to: bridge exploits, liquidity failures, delayed transfers, and permanent loss of bridged assets. The Operator has no control over any bridge protocol.

3.5 Oracle and Third-Party Data Risk

The Protocol relies on tracking data from Terminal49 and ocean carriers for milestone verification. This data may be inaccurate, delayed, incomplete, manipulated, or unavailable. The Operator does not control, guarantee, or verify the accuracy of any third-party data. Milestone triggers based on inaccurate data cannot be reversed.

3.6 Wallet and Key Risk

You are solely responsible for safeguarding your wallet private keys and seed phrases. If you lose access to your wallet, the Operator cannot recover your funds, reverse any transaction, or provide any assistance. The Operator never has access to your private keys.

3.7 Regulatory and Legal Risk

The regulatory environment for blockchain technology, decentralized protocols, stablecoins, and digital assets is evolving and uncertain. Changes in law or regulation may adversely affect the Protocol, make its use illegal in certain jurisdictions, or require changes that could impact existing smart contracts.

3.8 Counterparty Risk

The Protocol facilitates peer-to-peer transactions between users. The Operator does not verify, vet, endorse, or guarantee the identity, creditworthiness, good faith, or reliability of any user. You bear all risk of transacting with other users.

3.9 Economic and Market Risk

The value of digital assets, transaction fees, and network costs may fluctuate. The Operator does not guarantee any economic outcome of using the Protocol.

4. The Interface

4.1 Interface vs. Protocol

The Interface (the website at flowescrow.trade and associated frontend applications) is a convenience tool that allows users to interact with the underlying Protocol smart contracts. The Interface is not the Protocol itself. Users may interact with Protocol smart contracts directly on the Alephium blockchain without using the Interface. The Operator’s provision of the Interface does not make the Operator a party to, or responsible for, any smart contract interaction.

4.2 No Guarantee of Availability

The Operator may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Interface at any time, for any reason, without notice. The underlying Protocol smart contracts on the blockchain will continue to function independently of the Interface. Discontinuation of the Interface does not affect existing smart contracts.

4.3 No Guarantee of Accuracy

Information displayed in the Interface (including escrow status, tracking data, balance information, and transaction history) is provided for convenience only. The authoritative state of any smart contract is the on-chain state on the Alephium blockchain, not what is displayed in the Interface. In case of any discrepancy, the on-chain state prevails.

5. Fees

The Protocol charges a platform fee (currently 1.0% of the escrow amount) which is encoded in the smart contract at the time of creation. This fee:

• Is deducted automatically by the smart contract — not by the Operator
• Is determined at contract creation and cannot be changed afterward
• Is distributed proportionally with each milestone release by the smart contract
• Does not constitute a payment for services, advice, or any fiduciary duty

The fee is a protocol-level mechanism and does not establish any service relationship, duty of care, or obligation between the Operator and any user.

6. Arbitration Mechanism

6.1 On-Chain Arbitration

The Protocol includes a dispute resolution mechanism executed by a designated arbitrator address. This mechanism is:

• An automated, on-chain process — not a legal arbitration, mediation, or adjudication service
• A protocol feature that allows a designated address to allocate locked funds between parties
• Final and irreversible once executed on the blockchain

6.2 No Legal Arbitration

The on-chain arbitration mechanism is not a substitute for legal dispute resolution. It does not constitute legal advice, legal judgment, or legally binding arbitration under any arbitration act or convention. The Operator does not act as an arbitrator, mediator, judge, or dispute resolution service in any legal sense.

6.3 No Guarantee of Outcome

The Operator does not guarantee the fairness, accuracy, or appropriateness of any arbitration outcome. Users who disagree with an arbitration outcome have no recourse against the Operator.

7. Prohibited Use

You agree not to use the Protocol or Interface for:

• Money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, or sanctions evasion
• Tax evasion or any other violation of tax laws
• Fraudulent transactions, misrepresentation of goods, or trade-based money laundering
• Transactions involving goods or services that are illegal in any relevant jurisdiction
• Circumventing export controls, trade embargoes, or other trade restrictions
• Interfering with, exploiting, or attacking the Protocol, Interface, or Alephium blockchain
• Any activity that would cause the Operator to violate any applicable law

The Operator reserves the right to restrict access to the Interface (but not the underlying Protocol) for any user suspected of prohibited use.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE OPERATOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement
• Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the Protocol, Interface, or any data
• Warranties that the Protocol or Interface will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free from viruses or harmful components
• Warranties that smart contracts will execute as intended or that funds will be safe
• Warranties that third-party data (including Terminal49 tracking data) will be accurate or available
• Warranties regarding the value, stability, or availability of any digital asset or stablecoin
• Warranties that the Protocol complies with the laws of any particular jurisdiction

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 No Liability for Losses

The Operator shall not be liable for any:

• Loss of funds, digital assets, tokens, or cryptocurrency of any kind
• Loss of profits, revenue, business, data, goodwill, or anticipated savings
• Smart contract failures, bugs, exploits, or unintended behavior
• Blockchain network failures, forks, congestion, or protocol changes
• Third-party data inaccuracies, including tracking data from Terminal49 or carriers
• Stablecoin depegging, freezing, or loss of value
• Bridge failures or loss of bridged assets
• Unauthorized access to wallets or private keys
• Regulatory actions, sanctions, or changes in law
• Acts or omissions of other users, counterparties, or third parties
• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages

9.2 Maximum Liability

IN THE EVENT THAT A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION DETERMINES THAT THE OPERATOR IS LIABLE NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE OPERATOR’S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT OF PLATFORM FEES ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE OPERATOR FROM YOU DURING THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED US DOLLARS (USD $100).

9.3 Basis of the Bargain

The limitations in this section reflect the allocation of risk between you and the Operator and are an essential element of the basis of the bargain between you and the Operator. The Operator would not provide the Interface without these limitations.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Operator, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or relating to:

• Your use of or interaction with the Protocol or Interface
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation
• Your violation of any third party’s rights
• Any transaction you enter into through the Protocol
• Any dispute between you and another user
• Any claim that your use of the Protocol caused damage to a third party
• Any regulatory action, investigation, or proceeding related to your use of the Protocol

11. Dispute Resolution Between You and the Operator

11.1 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Protocol shall be resolved through binding arbitration conducted on an individual basis. The arbitration shall be conducted in English by a single arbitrator under rules mutually agreed upon by the parties, or failing agreement, under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The seat of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitrator. The award rendered shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

11.2 Waiver of Class Action

YOU AGREE THAT ANY CLAIMS AGAINST THE OPERATOR WILL BE BROUGHT SOLELY IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. You waive any right to participate in a class action, class arbitration, or any other representative action against the Operator.

11.3 Waiver of Jury Trial

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE ARISING FROM THESE TERMS.

11.4 Time Limitation

Any claim arising from or relating to these Terms or the Protocol must be brought within one (1) year after the cause of action arises, or the claim is permanently barred.

12. Security

12.1 No Security Guarantee

The Operator does not guarantee the security of the Protocol, Interface, smart contracts, or any associated systems. Despite reasonable security measures, no system is completely secure. The Operator is not responsible for any security breaches, hacks, exploits, data breaches, or unauthorized access affecting the Protocol, Interface, the Alephium blockchain, or any third-party systems.

12.2 No Liability for Security Incidents

IN THE EVENT OF A SECURITY INCIDENT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SMART CONTRACT EXPLOITS, INTERFACE COMPROMISE, DATABASE BREACH, OR THIRD-PARTY SERVICE COMPROMISE), THE OPERATOR SHALL HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO COMPENSATE, REIMBURSE, OR MAKE WHOLE ANY USER FOR ANY LOSSES INCURRED. The Operator will make reasonable efforts to communicate known security incidents but assumes no liability for the timing or completeness of such communications.

13. Third-Party Services

The Protocol and Interface interact with various third-party services including but not limited to: the Alephium blockchain, Terminal49, Wormhole/AlphBridge, stablecoin issuers (Tether, Circle), wallet providers, and SMTP email services. The Operator:

• Has no control over these third-party services
• Makes no warranties regarding their availability, accuracy, or security
• Is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by third-party services
• Is not a party to any agreement between you and any third-party service

14. Force Majeure

The Operator shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, war, terrorism, epidemics, government actions, regulatory changes, sanctions, blockchain network failures, internet outages, power failures, cyberattacks, changes in law, and acts of third parties.

15. Intellectual Property

The Interface design, documentation, and branding are owned by the Operator. Protocol smart contracts deployed on the Alephium blockchain are publicly visible and governed by their respective open-source licenses. Nothing in these Terms grants you any right to use the Operator’s trademarks, logos, or branding.

16. Modifications to Terms

The Operator may modify these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms on the Interface. Material changes will be indicated by updating the “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the Interface after any change constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to modified Terms, you must stop using the Interface. Modifications do not affect the operation of existing smart contracts on the blockchain.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the parties’ original intent.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Operator with respect to the Interface and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.

19. Governing Law

To the extent any governing law must be identified, these Terms shall be interpreted in accordance with general principles of international commercial law and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts, without reference to the domestic law of any particular jurisdiction. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction requires the application of a specific national law, the substantive law of the jurisdiction in which the arbitration is seated shall apply, excluding its conflict of law provisions.

20. Contact

For questions about these Terms:

the Operator
Submit an inquiry via our contact form →