Terms of Service and Conditions

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using our blockchain infrastructure services, including node/validator operations, white-label nodes, APIs, staking-as-a-service, and protocol consulting, you agree to be bound by these Terms. By using the Services, you represent that you are at least eighteen (18) years old and, if acting for an entity, have authority to bind that entity.

Services Description

Axol.io provides:

• Node/Validator Services: Infrastructure deployment and maintenance for blockchain networks
• White-Label Nodes: Customized validator solutions for partners and clients
• APIs: Access to blockchain data and infrastructure services
• Staking-as-a-Service: Delegated staking and yield generation services
• Protocol & Node Consulting: Technical advisory and implementation services

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue service at any time; continued use after material changes constitutes acceptance.

Staking Delegation Terms and Conditions

When you use Axol.io's staking-as-a-service offerings, specific terms govern the delegation relationship, reward distribution, and operational parameters.

Delegation of tokens to Axol.io validators occurs through on-chain transactions that you initiate and sign using your own wallet. You retain full custody and ownership of your tokens at all times. Delegation grants our validators the right to include your tokens in the network's consensus process but does not transfer ownership or custody of those tokens to Axol.io.

You are responsible for ensuring compliance of your tokens and wallets with the relevant network's requirements, and for understanding the protocol's risks and mechanics.

User Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Provide accurate information when using our services
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Not use services for illegal, fraudulent, or harmful activities
• Maintain security of your account credentials
• Pay all fees associated with services used

Wallet Security and Private Key Management

The security model for Axol.io services depends on the specific service type you use, and it is critical that you understand how cryptographic keys are managed and secured.

For validator services where Axol.io operates infrastructure on your behalf, we maintain management of validator signing keys necessary to perform validation duties. These keys are secured using industry-standard hardware security modules, encrypted storage, and access controls designed to prevent unauthorized use. However, validator keys have limited privileges and can only sign blockchain validation messages. They cannot transfer or withdraw your staked assets.

For enterprise clients with specific requirements, we can discuss customized solutions including multi-signature arrangements, institutional management integrations, or other security models appropriate for your needs.

Axol.io cannot recover lost private keys or credentials. You are solely responsible for the security and backup of your accounts and devices.

Service Availability and Performance

Axol.io strives to maintain high availability and performance for all infrastructure services and contributions. While we implement robust systems designed for reliability, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service due to the nature of blockchain networks, internet infrastructure, and complex distributed systems.

Target availability for our node and validator infrastructure is 99% uptime calculated on a monthly basis, excluding scheduled maintenance windows. For API services, we target 99.5% availability for standard tier services. We will make commercially reasonable efforts to meet these targets, though they do not constitute binding guarantees.

For enterprise clients with specific uptime requirements, customized Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with defined performance metrics, monitoring provisions, remedies for service failures, and escalation procedures are available through separate written agreements.

Fees and Payment

Fees for services are specified in your service agreement. Payment terms vary by service type. You're responsible for all charges incurred.

For pay-as-you-go/monthly subscription services, we reserve the right to change service fees with at least 30 days' notice. For enterprise clients with customized SLAs, we reserve the right change service fees within the contractual obligation window.

Non-payment may result in service suspension or account termination.

Tax Obligations

You are solely responsible for determining, collecting, reporting, and remitting all applicable taxes associated with your use of Axol.io services, including income taxes, capital gains taxes, value-added taxes, goods and services taxes, and any other taxes arising from staking rewards, token appreciation, or other benefits received.

Risk Disclosure

Blockchain services involve inherent risks including:

• Market volatility and potential loss of value
• Network slashing penalties for validators
• Technical risks and potential service interruptions
• Regulatory changes affecting blockchain operations

We are not responsible for external service provider failures, client node misconfigurations, or losses from third-party outages.

Validator Slashing Risk and Liability

Participation in blockchain networks through validator operations carries specific financial risks that you must understand before using our staking services. Blockchain networks implement slashing mechanisms as penalties for validator misconduct or operational failures. Slashing results in the permanent and irreversible loss of staked assets and cannot be reversed by Axol.io or the blockchain network.

Axol.io implements industry-standard operational practices designed to minimize slashing risk, including redundant infrastructure with failover systems, continuous monitoring and alerting for validator performance, security measures to prevent key compromise and unauthorized access, and adherence to best practices for validator operations established by each blockchain protocol. However, no operational measures can completely eliminate slashing risk. Technical failures, network disruptions, protocol changes, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control may still result in slashing events.

For slashing events resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to blockchain network issues, protocol bugs, internet or cloud infrastructure failures, or acts of nature, you acknowledge that you bear the full risk of loss. For any slashing events, our maximum liability shall not exceed the fees you paid to Axol.io for validator services in the twelve months preceding the slashing incident.

You acknowledge that staking through validators involves accepting these risks, and you have independently evaluated whether these risks are appropriate for your financial situation. We strongly recommend diversifying your staking across multiple validators and protocols to mitigate concentration risk.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Axol.io shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of our services. Our services are as is, as available.

Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Axol.io is committed to preventing money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities. We comply with applicable Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate.

When you register for our services, we may require you to provide personal information including your full legal name, date of birth, residential address, government-issued identification documents, tax identification number, and information about the source of funds used for staking or other services. For business entities, we may require corporate formation documents, beneficial ownership information, and identification of authorized representatives.

We maintain the right to refuse service, suspend accounts, or report suspicious activities to relevant authorities as required by law. We may be prohibited from notifying you if your account is subject to investigation or if we have filed reports with regulatory authorities. You agree that we have no liability to you for taking actions required or permitted under applicable AML and sanctions laws.

By using our services, you represent that you are not subject to sanctions and will not use our services to facilitate transactions involving sanctioned parties or jurisdictions.

See our Privacy Policy for details on data handling practices.

Prohibited Jurisdictions

Axol.io services are not available in all jurisdictions. Due to legal and regulatory constraints, we do not offer services to individuals or entities located in, incorporated in, or otherwise connected to certain jurisdictions.

Services are currently not available to persons or entities located in or residents of countries subject to comprehensive sanctions including but not limited to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. This list may be updated based on changes to sanctions programs.

Intellectual Property

Axol.io retains all rights to our technology, software, and proprietary systems. You receive a limited license to use our services as intended.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Axol.io, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or relating to your use or misuse of our services, your violation of these Terms of Service or any applicable law or regulation, your violation of any rights of any third party, any unauthorized use of the services through your account, your breach of any representations or warranties made to us, or any activities conducted through your account whether or not authorized by you.

We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you will cooperate fully with us in asserting any available defenses. You may not settle any claim that affects Axol.io without our prior written consent. This indemnification obligation will survive termination of these Terms and your use of the services.

For claims involving shared responsibility, indemnification will be proportional to each party's degree of fault as determined by applicable law or mutual agreement.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.

Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal proceeding, you must contact Axol.io at legal@axol.io, describe the nature of the dispute, and provide all supporting documentation. Axol.io will engage in good-faith negotiations for up to ninety (90) days in an effort to resolve the matter informally. If the dispute is resolved during this period, no further action is required.

Threshold-Based Arbitration Options

A. Limited-Value Claims (<= USD 50,000): If the total monetary value of the claim does not exceed USD 50,000 (or the equivalent in another currency at the time the claim is filed), the parties may elect to resolve the dispute through Kleros, an online-only decentralized arbitration platform. Both parties must expressly consent in writing (or electronically) to use Kleros for that specific claim.

The Kleros decision will be final and binding, and may be enforced in any competent court under the New York Convention or applicable local law. If either party withdraws from Kleros arbitration, or if the claim's value later exceeds the threshold, the dispute will automatically move to the ICC arbitration procedure described herein.

• The aforementioned cap applies only to monetary damages; claims for injunctive or equitable relief remain subject to the ICC arbitration provision.
• If a Kleros award cannot be enforced in a given jurisdiction, the parties agree to submit the dispute to the ICC arbitration provision set forth herein.
• Both parties agree that any personal data disclosed in the Kleros process will be processed in accordance with applicable privacy laws, and each party assumes responsibility for any compliance obligations arising from the use of the platform.
• Consent shall be evidenced by a signed electronic document (e-signature) or a written email exchange confirming the parties' agreement to use Kleros for that claim.

B. Higher-Value Claims (> USD 50,000): All claims exceeding the USD 50,000 threshold, or any claim for which the parties do not elect Kleros, shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) under its Rules of Arbitration (the "Rules").

ICC Arbitration Procedure

The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator in the Seat of Arbitration listed below.

• Seat of Arbitration: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Language: English.

The arbitrator's award shall be final and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Arbitration Fees

Each party bears its own attorneys' fees and costs. Filing fees and arbitrator compensation shall be split equally, except that Axol.io will cover the other party's share of such fees if the other party demonstrates financial hardship to the arbitrator.

Class Action Waiver

You and Axol.io agree that any arbitration or court proceeding shall be conducted only on an individual basis and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court rather than arbitration, both parties waive any right to a jury trial.

Statutory Exceptions

Either party may:

• Bring an individual action in small-claims court; or
• Seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to protect intellectual-property rights or to prevent unauthorized use of the services.

By using Axol.io's services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the dispute-resolution framework set forth above.

Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond that party's reasonable control. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, earthquakes, epidemics or pandemics, strikes or labor disputes, and failures or disruptions of internet, telecommunications, or utility services.

Force majeure circumstances particularly relevant to blockchain infrastructure services include blockchain network failures, hard forks, or consensus failures, distributed denial of service attacks or other cyberattacks affecting our infrastructure or upstream providers, regulatory changes that prohibit or substantially restrict our ability to provide services, cloud infrastructure provider outages or failures, and failures of third-party blockchain protocol software or client implementations.

This also includes but is not limited to, any unforeseen industry-wide issues with regulatory takedowns, de-platforming, etc.

When a force majeure event occurs, the affected party will promptly notify the other party and will use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the impact of the event and resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable. If a force majeure event continues for more than thirty consecutive days, either party may terminate the affected services upon written notice.

This force majeure provision does not excuse payment obligations for services already rendered or fees that accrued before the force majeure event began. Nothing in this clause limits your right to terminate services in accordance with the Termination section of these Terms.

Termination

Either party may terminate services with appropriate notice. We may suspend or terminate access for violations of these Terms. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for data retention/deletion methods.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, unenforceable, or illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or if modification is not possible, shall be severed from these Terms. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Any attempted assignment in violation of this provision shall be null and void. Axol.io may assign these Terms or any rights or obligations hereunder without restriction, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. These Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms from time to time. For material changes, we will notify you at least thirty (30) days before the changes take effect by email (if you have provided one) or by posting a prominent notice on our website. The "Last updated" and "Effective" dates at the top of these Terms indicate when revisions were made and when they become binding. Your continued use of our services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using our services before the effective date.

Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at legal@axol.io.