Risk Disclosure Policy

Table of Contents

Introduction

Becoming Alpha, Inc. (the "Company," "we," or "us") is a U.S.-based blockchain and crypto-fintech platform (headquartered at 8000 Avalon Boulevard, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA) offering a digital asset marketplace and educational services. We are committed to transparency and want users to understand the inherent risks involved in using our services. This Risk Policy explains the types of risks users may encounter on our platform. It should be read together with our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, ALPHA Token Terms & Conditions, and any other applicable policies.

Scope of This Policy

This Risk Policy applies to all users of the Becoming Alpha platform and services, including account holders, content creators, buyers, sellers, token holders, and anyone interacting with our marketplace, wallets, smart contracts, educational content, and any governance features. It covers risks associated with cryptocurrency transactions, blockchain and smart contract technology, regulatory and legal changes, peer-to-peer trades, data and cybersecurity, and user conduct within our ecosystem.

Acknowledgment of Risk

Cryptocurrency and blockchain activities carry significant risk. We do not provide financial advice or investment guarantees. For example, our Terms of Service state that Alpha tokens are not legal tender and that "Alpha's value can be highly volatile" with prices that "may fluctuate rapidly". In general, crypto markets are "extremely volatile, especially when compared to traditional financial markets". You should exercise extreme caution and only trade or invest funds that you can afford to lose. As industry guidance cautions, trading crypto involves "a considerable loss [that] may be sustained". If you choose to use our Services, you acknowledge that you understand these risks.

Categories of Risk

Cryptocurrency Volatility and Market Risk

Cryptocurrency prices can fluctuate dramatically in short timeframes. Many digital assets have experienced rapid booms and crashes; for example, some altcoins have lost 90% or more of their value before recovering. The Alpha token has no intrinsic backing, so its value is driven purely by user demand. As noted above, "Alpha's value can be highly volatile" and its price "may fluctuate rapidly". Market volatility may result from broad economic factors, news events, or sudden changes in sentiment. Additionally, lower liquidity in crypto markets can exacerbate price swings: if few buyers are available, a seller may have to accept a much lower price. Rapid market movements can lead to significant gains or losses, so users should be prepared for the possibility of losing some or all of their investment.

Non-Custodial and Wallet Risk

Becoming Alpha is a non-custodial platform. You maintain control over your cryptocurrency wallets and private keys at all times. Our Terms state: "Becoming Alpha is a non-custodial platform – you control your Alpha token wallet and private keys. If you lose access to your wallet… Becoming Alpha cannot recover your tokens for you".

Critical Warning: Loss of Private Keys Means Permanent Loss of Funds

If you lose or expose your private key, seed phrase, or account password, any funds in that wallet may be lost forever. Unlike traditional financial institutions, Becoming Alpha does not hold or control your tokens, and we cannot recover lost private keys or reverse transactions. This means:

• If you lose your private key or seed phrase, your tokens cannot be recovered by us or anyone else
• If your private key is stolen or compromised, thieves may have permanent access to your funds
• If you send tokens to the wrong address, the transaction cannot be reversed
• If you forget your password and cannot recover your wallet, your funds may be permanently inaccessible

You are solely responsible for securing your private keys, seed phrases, and wallet passwords. You should securely back up your private keys (for example, using hardware wallets or encrypted offline storage) and never share them with anyone. Always keep your device secure and consider enabling multi-factor authentication where available. We strongly recommend using hardware wallets for significant amounts of cryptocurrency.

Blockchain transactions are irreversible: if tokens are sent to the wrong address or stolen through fraud, you are responsible for that loss and we cannot reverse the transaction or recover your funds.

Technology and Smart Contract Risk

Our platform relies on blockchain networks and software that may have vulnerabilities. Smart contracts (self-executing programs on the blockchain) can contain bugs, flaws, or vulnerabilities that may be exploited by attackers, leading to loss of funds. Even if smart contracts are audited by security firms, audits cannot guarantee that all bugs will be discovered. Smart contract exploits have resulted in losses of millions of dollars in the cryptocurrency industry. Once deployed, smart contracts are often immutable (cannot be changed), meaning that bugs or vulnerabilities cannot be quickly fixed without going through complex upgrade processes or redeployments. Protocol changes or upgrades may also introduce new risks or vulnerabilities. We perform security reviews and audits where possible, but users must accept the risk that smart contract bugs, exploits, or protocol changes could impact the platform and any assets held or transacted through it.

Blockchain networks can experience outages or disruptions from bugs, software upgrades, or forks beyond our control. Such events could temporarily delay transactions or access to tokens. Users should be aware that blockchain technology is still evolving and may experience technical issues, bugs, or failures that could impact the availability or functionality of our platform.

Staking and Yield Risks

If you choose to stake ALPHA tokens or participate in staking rewards programs, you face additional risks beyond the general risks of holding ALPHA tokens. For detailed information about staking, Utility-Bound Tokens (UBTs), and reward mechanisms, please see our ALPHA Token Terms & Conditions.

Key Staking Risks:

• No Guaranteed Yield: Staking rewards are variable and discretionary. There is no guarantee that you will receive any rewards, or that rewards will meet your expectations. Reward rates may change or be suspended at any time.
• Lockup and Illiquidity Risk: When you stake ALPHA tokens, they are locked for a specified period during which you cannot transfer, sell, or otherwise dispose of them. During this lockup period, the value of ALPHA tokens may decline significantly, and you will be unable to sell to limit losses.
• Smart Contract Risk: Staking involves interaction with smart contracts that may contain bugs or vulnerabilities. Smart contract failures, exploits, or attacks could result in the permanent loss of your staked tokens or rewards.
• Utility-Bound Token (UBT) Risks: Staking rewards are issued as UBTs, which are non-transferable in-platform credits. UBTs have no guaranteed value, and their utility depends entirely on the continued operation of the Becoming Alpha platform and the availability of use cases. If the platform becomes unavailable or modifies its services, UBTs may lose all value.
• Tax Implications: Staking rewards may be subject to taxation in your jurisdiction. You are responsible for determining the tax treatment of staking and rewards and for complying with all applicable tax laws.
• Slashing or Penalty Risk: Some staking mechanisms may impose penalties or "slashing" for certain behaviors (such as validator downtime or malicious activity). While Becoming Alpha's staking mechanisms may not include slashing, the risk exists in other blockchain networks where ALPHA tokens may be used.

Staking does not constitute a deposit, loan, or investment product. We do not guarantee any returns, and you may lose some or all of your staked tokens. Always carefully consider your risk tolerance and financial situation before staking tokens.

Network and Consensus Risk

Blockchain networks rely on consensus mechanisms (such as proof-of-work or proof-of-stake) to validate transactions and maintain network security. These consensus mechanisms can be subject to various risks:

• Forks: Blockchain networks may undergo "forks" that create competing versions of the blockchain. Forks can be planned (hard forks or soft forks for upgrades) or contentious (splits in the community). Forks may result in duplicate tokens, uncertainty about which chain is "official," or loss of funds if tokens are not properly handled.
• Chain Reorganizations: Blockchains may experience "reorgs" where previously confirmed transactions are reversed or reorganized. While reorgs are typically rare, they can result in transaction reversals or double-spending attempts.
• Network Congestion: During periods of high activity, blockchain networks can become congested, leading to slow transaction processing, high transaction fees, or failed transactions. Network congestion can make it difficult or expensive to complete transactions when needed.
• Consensus Attacks: Although rare, blockchain networks may be subject to consensus attacks (such as 51% attacks) that could disrupt network operations or reverse transactions.

These network and consensus risks are outside our control and could impact your ability to use our platform or access your tokens. We do not guarantee that any blockchain network will be available, secure, or function as expected.

Regulatory and Legal Risk

The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is constantly evolving and can be unpredictable. Because crypto assets and platforms operate globally, you may be subject to the laws of multiple jurisdictions. The market currently "lacks a complete regulatory infrastructure", and governments in different countries may enact new rules, restrictions, or outright bans with short notice. For instance, in 2021 China banned crypto mining and trading, which contributed to a sharp crypto market decline. Users are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws, including tax reporting and exchange regulations in their jurisdiction. Becoming Alpha's services are based in Georgia, USA, and we comply with U.S. laws (such as sanctions and securities regulations), but if you access the platform from elsewhere, you do so on your own initiative and must adhere to local rules. Changes in law or enforcement actions could limit or alter your ability to use our platform.

Token Reclassification Risk: Regulatory authorities may reclassify tokens or digital assets (for example, determining that a token previously treated as a utility token should be classified as a security). Token reclassification could result in:

• Restrictions on trading, transfer, or use of tokens
• Requirements for registration or licensing
• Tax consequences or reporting requirements
• Loss of value if the token cannot be freely traded or used
• Platform restrictions or service limitations

Token reclassification may occur without notice and could have significant negative impacts on token value and usability. We cannot predict or control how regulatory authorities will classify tokens, and we cannot guarantee that any token will maintain its current classification.

Project and Token Risk

Projects launched on Becoming Alpha's platform carry significant risks. For detailed information about project obligations and Becoming Alpha's policies regarding projects, please see the Project Launch & Listings section in our Terms of Service.

Key Project Risks:

• No Guarantee of Legality or Compliance: Becoming Alpha may perform due diligence on projects, but this does not guarantee that any project or its tokens comply with applicable securities laws, commodities laws, or other regulations. Projects may be subject to regulatory action, enforcement, or reclassification of their tokens as securities, which could result in restrictions on trading or use, or complete loss of value.
• No Guarantee of Performance: Becoming Alpha does not guarantee that any project will succeed, achieve its goals, deliver on its promises, or provide any returns. Projects may fail, experience technical issues, face regulatory challenges, or otherwise not meet expectations, resulting in complete loss of investment.
• Project-Specific Risks: Each project has its own risks, including technical risks, team risks, market risks, and execution risks. You should carefully review each project's documentation, team, roadmap, and risk disclosures before participating.
• Misrepresentation and Fraud Risk: Projects may provide inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information. Despite our screening efforts, fraudulent projects or projects that misrepresent themselves may launch on our platform.
• Smart Contract Risks: Project tokens may involve smart contracts that contain bugs, vulnerabilities, or exploits. Smart contract failures could result in the loss of your tokens or inability to access project features.
• Liquidity and Trading Risks: Project tokens may have limited liquidity, making it difficult or impossible to sell your tokens when desired, or to sell them at a fair market price.
• Platform Delisting Risk: Becoming Alpha may suspend or delist projects at any time, which could impact your ability to access or trade project tokens.

You should never invest more than you can afford to lose, and you should conduct thorough due diligence on any project before participating. Becoming Alpha is not responsible for project failures, losses, or any damages resulting from your participation in any project.

Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Risk

Becoming Alpha's marketplace connects buyers and sellers directly; we do not act as an escrow or broker for crypto trades or off-chain payments. Peer-to-peer exchanges carry unique risks. In particular, counterparties may not fulfill their side of a deal. For example, a seller might receive payment but fail to deliver the promised goods or services, or a buyer might falsely claim to have paid. As one analysis warns, P2P platforms involve "fraud, counterparty issues, regulatory uncertainty, and platform reliability concerns". Because our platform generally does not hold fiat payments or guarantee off-chain payments, use caution: verify each user's reputation, use secure payment methods, and confirm all details before transferring funds. You should also use any escrow, dispute-resolution, or smart-contract tools we provide to mitigate these risks.

DAO and Governance Risk

Becoming Alpha intends to transition toward a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) model over time, which will allow token holders to vote on governance matters. This introduces additional risks. Voting power is determined by token holdings or participation, meaning that participants with large balances or coordinated voting power could disproportionately influence outcomes (a phenomenon sometimes called "governance capture"). Similarly, governance votes could be manipulated if bad actors create multiple fake accounts (Sybil attacks) to skew results. All governance rules run on smart contracts, which are immutable once deployed; any vulnerabilities or bugs in those contracts could be exploited or take time to correct via on-chain voting. Furthermore, low voter turnout could result in a small group making decisions on behalf of everyone else. Users should recognize that relying on community governance means assuming these uncertainties, and that governance proposals may not always align with individual interests.

Cybersecurity and Data Risk

Becoming Alpha employs industry-standard security measures, but the threat of cyberattacks and data breaches is always present. Hackers frequently target cryptocurrency platforms and their users. For example, in November 2022 attackers stole $477 million worth of crypto from a major exchange. Security incidents like phishing scams, malware attacks, or server breaches could compromise user accounts or data. We protect your information with encryption and secure infrastructure. We also maintain an incident response plan to contain any breach, and where required by law we will notify affected individuals and authorities. However, you should also take your own precautions to safeguard your account and data (for example, by using strong passwords and antivirus software), as attackers continually devise new methods.

User Conduct and Behavioral Risk

Your own conduct and decision-making significantly affect the risks you face. You agree to abide by our Terms of Service and all applicable laws. Any attempt to use the platform for fraud, manipulation, or illegal activity (such as money laundering, scams, or harassment) is strictly prohibited and can lead to account suspension or termination. On a personal level, be aware of cognitive and emotional biases: overconfidence, fear of missing out, and herd behavior can lead to poor decisions or losses. Mistakes like sending cryptocurrency to the wrong address or falling victim to a scam are your responsibility; as noted above, we cannot reverse blockchain transactions or recover lost funds. Always act responsibly: verify information from independent sources, do not invest based on hype alone, and report any suspicious or abusive behavior to us.

Regulatory Status and No Endorsement

No Regulatory Approval: The availability of Becoming Alpha's platform, services, ALPHA tokens, or any project launched on our platform does not imply that any securities regulator, financial regulator, or other regulatory authority has approved, endorsed, reviewed, or licensed Becoming Alpha, the ALPHA token, any project tokens, or any services offered through our platform.

Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for determining whether you are legally permitted to use Becoming Alpha's platform and services in your jurisdiction. If you are uncertain about the legal status of our platform, services, or any token in your jurisdiction, you should consult with qualified legal counsel before using our platform or acquiring any tokens.

No Endorsement of Projects: Becoming Alpha may perform due diligence, screening, or verification of projects that launch on our platform, but this does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of the legality, legitimacy, regulatory compliance, financial soundness, or success of any project. For more information about our platform scope and regulatory status, please see our Terms of Service.

No Investment, Financial, Tax, or Legal Advice

Becoming Alpha does not provide investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Nothing on our platform, in our communications, or in our educational materials should be construed as:

• Investment advice, recommendations, or endorsements of any particular investment strategy
• Financial planning, tax planning, or tax advice
• Legal advice or legal opinions
• Guarantees of investment returns or performance
• Predictions about future token values or market performance

Any information provided on our platform (including educational content, market data, or analytics) is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for making investment or financial decisions. You should:

• Conduct your own research and due diligence before making any investment decisions
• Consult with qualified financial advisors, tax professionals, and legal counsel as appropriate
• Understand that all investment decisions are made at your own risk
• Understand and comply with all applicable tax laws and reporting requirements in your jurisdiction
• Not rely solely on information from Becoming Alpha or any single source when making investment decisions

You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and any tax obligations arising from your use of our platform. Becoming Alpha is not a fiduciary and does not owe you any fiduciary duties. We do not have a duty to act in your best interests or to disclose information that might be relevant to your investment decisions beyond what is required by law.

No Liquidity Guarantee

Becoming Alpha does not guarantee that you will be able to buy, sell, or trade tokens at any particular time, price, or volume. There is no guarantee of liquidity for any token or digital asset on our platform.

Liquidity Risks Include:

• Limited Market Depth: There may be insufficient buyers or sellers to execute your desired transaction at a reasonable price
• Price Impact: Large transactions may significantly impact token prices, resulting in execution at less favorable prices than expected
• Market Closure: Markets may be closed, suspended, or unavailable due to technical issues, regulatory actions, or other reasons
• Exchange Listing: We do not guarantee that any token will be listed on external exchanges or that external exchanges will maintain liquidity for any token
• Trading Halts: Trading may be halted or restricted for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons
• Low Trading Volume: Tokens may experience periods of low or no trading volume, making it difficult or impossible to execute transactions

Tokens may become illiquid or difficult to sell, and you may be unable to liquidate your position when desired or at a favorable price. You should only invest funds that you can afford to lose and are willing to hold for an extended period if necessary. We do not guarantee that you will be able to exit any position or recover your investment.

User Responsibilities

• Account Security: Protect your account and wallet. Keep login credentials, passwords, private keys, and recovery phrases secure and confidential. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever available.
• Lawful Conduct: Comply with all laws, regulations, and platform rules. Do not use Becoming Alpha to facilitate prohibited activities. Complete any required identity verification (KYC/AML) accurately and promptly.
• Secure Transactions: Double-check all transaction details (wallet addresses, payment amounts, counterparty information) before sending funds. Use provided escrow or arbitration features for high-value trades, and keep clear records of your transactions and communications.
• Risk Management: Only trade or invest with funds you can afford to lose. Diversify your assets if appropriate and do not rely on tips or speculation. Conduct your own research before buying any token or digital asset.
• Report Issues: If you discover a security vulnerability, suspicious user, or other problem, notify us immediately. Do not attempt to exploit vulnerabilities; report them so we can address them.
• Stay Informed: Regularly review our policies and announcements for updates. Crypto regulations and platform features can change; staying informed will help you navigate risks responsibly.

Policy Review and Updates

We may update this Risk Policy from time to time. Like our other policies, we review it at least annually and revise it as needed to account for new laws, security practices, or business developments. Any material changes will be posted with an updated "Last Updated" date. If changes are significant, we may notify you or seek your consent where required by law. Your continued use of Becoming Alpha's services after updates indicates your acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Risk Policy or wish to report a risk-related issue, please contact us at the above address or email. We value your trust and are committed to transparency and security in all our operations.

For more contact options and additional ways to reach us, please visit our Contact page.