Terms of Service

CHIP, PBC ("CHIP," "we," "us," "our") operates the website at chip.discnxt.com and the CHIP platform (collectively, the "Platform"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Platform. By creating an account or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms.

If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. What CHIP Is

CHIP is a technology platform that provides software and infrastructure to causes, campaigns, and community groups ("Creators") to operate gamified micro-donation arcades. CHIP also provides tools for individuals ("Players") to discover causes, make micro-gifts, and track their impact.

CHIP is not:

• A charity or nonprofit organization
• A political committee
• A money transmitter or payment processor
• A financial advisor, tax advisor, or legal advisor

Payment processing: All payments on CHIP are processed by [Payment Processor Name], a licensed payment processor. CHIP never takes custody of donor funds. Funds settle directly from the Player's payment method to the Creator's designated account.

2. Eligibility

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction)
• Be able to form a binding contract
• Not be located in a jurisdiction where use of the Platform is prohibited

Creators must additionally:

• Complete identity verification (KYC)
• Provide accurate entity information (EIN, FEC ID, or equivalent)
• Comply with all applicable laws regarding fundraising, charitable solicitation, and campaign finance
• Maintain a valid payout account with our payment processor

Political contributions: Players contributing to political arcades (candidate campaigns, PACs) must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing to election-related activity. CHIP enforces geo and identity checks at the payment layer.

3. Player Accounts & Responsibilities

3.1 Account Creation

You may create a Player account to discover causes, chip in, build streaks, join squads, and earn badges. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

3.2 Micro-Gifts (Chip-Ins)

• All chip-ins are processed by our third-party payment processor.
• You set the amount, frequency, earmark, and monthly cap for recurring chip-ins.
• CHIP enforces the monthly cap you set. Chip-ins that would exceed it are declined.
• You may change or cancel recurring chip-ins at any time.
• Cancellation takes effect for the next scheduled chip-in.

3.3 Tax Deductibility

The tax deductibility of your chip-in depends on the tax status of the recipient Creator:

• 501(c)(3) charities: Contributions are generally tax-deductible.
• 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations: Contributions are NOT tax-deductible.
• Political campaigns, PACs: Contributions are NOT tax-deductible.

Each arcade displays the tax status of the recipient. CHIP does not provide tax advice. Consult a tax professional regarding deductibility.

3.4 Refunds

Refund policies vary by Creator. Each arcade's refund policy is displayed before you chip in. CHIP may assist in facilitating refunds where required by law or payment network rules, but CHIP does not hold the funds and cannot unilaterally issue refunds.

3.5 Player Data

CHIP does not sell, rent, or trade Player data. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

4. Creator Accounts & Responsibilities

4.1 Account Creation & Verification

Creators must complete identity verification (KYC), provide accurate entity information, and connect a valid payout account. CHIP may suspend or reject Creator accounts that fail verification.

4.2 Compliance Obligations

Creators are solely responsible for:

• Complying with all applicable laws regarding fundraising, charitable solicitation, campaign finance, and tax obligations
• Registering for charitable solicitation in states where required
• Filing required campaign finance reports (for political Creators)
• Providing accurate tax-status information to Players
• Categorizing expenditures accurately in the Glass Ledger

CHIP provides compliance tools and guardrails. These are aids, not replacements for professional legal and compliance counsel.

4.3 Glass Ledger Obligations

The Glass Ledger is default-public and append-only for every arcade. Creators must:

• Categorize all expenditures in a timely manner
• Not attempt to obscure, miscategorize, or omit expenditures
• Publish corrections as new lines when errors are discovered

Failure to maintain an accurate Glass Ledger may result in suspension or termination of your arcade.

4.4 Platform Fee

Creators pay CHIP a platform fee based on donation volume processed, plus payment processing fees (pass-through). Fees are described in full on our Pricing page. By using the Platform, you agree to the published fee schedule.

5. The Anti-Manipulation Constitution

The CHIP Constitution is incorporated into these Terms by reference. All Creators must comply with the Constitution's rules, including:

• No fake deadlines, fake matches, or manufactured scarcity
• No false or misleading statements in arcade copy or communications
• Truthful disclosure of all fees, tax statuses, and fund recipients

Violations of the Constitution may result in suspension or termination of your account.

6. Prohibited Conduct

The following are prohibited on the Platform:

• Fraud, misrepresentation, or deception
• Money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions evasion
• Use of the Platform for illegal purposes
• Attempting to circumvent contribution limits, caps, or compliance controls
• Scraping, data mining, or unauthorized access to the Platform
• Impersonating CHIP, another Creator, or another Player
• Using the Platform to send spam or unsolicited communications
• Uploading malicious code or attempting to compromise Platform security

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 CHIP's IP

The CHIP brand, logo, platform code, Glass Ledger service, and game mechanics are the intellectual property of CHIP, PBC. The "CHIP" name and logomark are trademarks of CHIP, PBC.

7.2 Creator Content

Creators retain ownership of their arcade content, branding, and communications. By using the Platform, Creators grant CHIP a limited license to display their arcade content on the Platform and to use their name/logo in connection with the "Powered by CHIP" co-branding.

7.3 Player Content

Players retain ownership of their data. CHIP does not claim ownership of Player-generated content (squad names, public profile information).

8. Termination

8.1 By You

You may close your account at any time. Player data is deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Creator Glass Ledgers remain public and append-only — the record of fund movement is not deleted even if the Creator leaves the Platform.

8.2 By CHIP

CHIP may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, the Constitution, or applicable law. Suspension or termination decisions are documented and, where appropriate, published.

9. Disclaimers & Limitations

9.1 Platform "As-Is"

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." CHIP disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

9.2 No Legal, Tax, or Financial Advice

CHIP provides technology infrastructure. Nothing on the Platform constitutes legal, tax, or financial advice.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, CHIP shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform. CHIP's total liability shall not exceed the greater of (a) the platform fees you paid to CHIP in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) $100.

9.4 Third-Party Services

The Platform integrates with third-party services (payment processors, KYC providers, data feeds). CHIP is not responsible for the acts or omissions of third-party providers.

10. Dispute Resolution

10.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

10.2 Arbitration

Disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved by binding arbitration in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. You waive the right to participate in a class action.

10.3 Exception for Small Claims

Either party may bring a claim in small claims court in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, instead of arbitration.

11. Changes to These Terms

CHIP will notify registered users of material changes to these Terms at least 30 days before they take effect, via email and a notice on the Platform. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, you may close your account before the changes take effect.

12. Contact

CHIP, PBC
[Address TBD]
Pittsburgh, PA

Legal inquiries: legal@chip.discnxt.com