Terms of Service

By accessing or using the Becoming Alpha website, platform, and services (collectively, the "Services"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (the "Terms"), as well as our Privacy Policy and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these Terms, you must discontinue use of the Services immediately.

These Terms should be read together with our Acceptable Use Policy, which sets forth the rules governing user conduct and content. For information about content moderation and appeals, see our Content Moderation & Appeals Policy. For intellectual property and copyright matters, see our Copyright, IP & DMCA Policy. For detailed information about the ALPHA token, including its nature, distribution, staking, and eligibility requirements, please see our ALPHA Token Terms & Conditions.

Table of Contents

Acceptance of Terms

• Legal Agreement: By creating an account or otherwise using the Services, you accept these Terms and enter into a binding legal contract with Becoming Alpha. You agree that this Agreement is enforceable just like a written contract signed by you. You also agree to any additional policies or guidelines posted within our Services (such as our Privacy Policy), which are incorporated here by reference.
• Consent to Electronic Communications: You consent to receive communications from us electronically (e.g. via email or through the platform interface). You agree that all notices, agreements, disclosures, and other communications we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

What Becoming Alpha Is / Is Not

What Becoming Alpha Is:

• Launchpad and Marketplace Platform: Becoming Alpha is a next-generation blockchain launchpad and non-custodial marketplace platform that helps blockchain ventures build, launch, and scale. We provide infrastructure, tools, and services to connect founders, investors, professionals, partners, and verified creators within a trusted ecosystem.
• Non-Custodial Platform: Becoming Alpha operates as a non-custodial platform, meaning we do not hold, custody, or control your cryptocurrency tokens, digital assets, or private keys. You maintain full control over your wallets and assets at all times.
• Technology Provider: We provide software, smart contracts, and technical infrastructure that enables you to interact with blockchain networks and participate in the Becoming Alpha ecosystem.

What Becoming Alpha Is NOT:

• Not a Broker-Dealer: Becoming Alpha is not a registered broker-dealer and does not act as a broker, dealer, or financial intermediary in securities transactions. We do not buy, sell, or trade securities on your behalf.
• Not an Investment Adviser: Becoming Alpha is not a registered investment adviser and does not provide investment advice, recommendations, or financial planning services. We do not manage investments or provide portfolio management services.
• Not a Securities Exchange: Becoming Alpha is not a registered securities exchange, alternative trading system, or national securities association. We do not operate as a marketplace for trading securities.
• Not a Custodian: Becoming Alpha does not custody, hold, or store your cryptocurrency tokens, digital assets, or private keys. We are not a custodian, wallet provider, or digital asset custodian as defined by any regulatory authority.
• Not a Bank or Financial Institution: Becoming Alpha is not a bank, credit union, or depository institution. We do not accept deposits, make loans, or provide banking services. ALPHA tokens are not deposits and are not insured by the FDIC or any other deposit insurance scheme.
• Not a Payment Processor: Becoming Alpha does not process fiat currency payments or act as a payment processor for traditional payment methods. We do not handle bank transfers, credit card transactions, or other fiat payment processing.

This distinction is important because it means that Becoming Alpha operates under different regulatory frameworks than traditional financial institutions, and you should not expect the same protections, guarantees, or regulatory oversight that apply to banks, broker-dealers, or investment advisers.

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.

Regulatory Status May Change: Becoming Alpha may seek or obtain certain registrations, licenses, or approvals from regulatory authorities in the future, and we may be required to modify our services or restrict access in certain jurisdictions to comply with applicable laws. However, the availability of our platform or services at any given time does not guarantee that:

• Any token, project, or service has been approved or licensed by any regulatory authority
• Our platform or services comply with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction
• You are legally permitted to use our platform or services in your jurisdiction
• Any regulatory status will remain unchanged

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, or regulatory compliance of any project or token
• The accuracy or completeness of information provided by projects
• The financial soundness, viability, or success of any project
• The performance or value of any project token or investment

Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for:

• Determining whether you are legally permitted to use Becoming Alpha's platform and services in your jurisdiction
• Understanding and complying with all applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction
• Conducting your own due diligence on any project, token, or investment opportunity
• Assessing the risks and suitability of any transaction or investment for your individual circumstances
• Seeking professional legal, financial, or tax advice as appropriate

If you are uncertain about the legal status of Becoming Alpha's platform, services, or any token in your jurisdiction, you should consult with qualified legal counsel before using our platform or acquiring any tokens.

Eligibility

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 25 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher) to use the Services. By using Becoming Alpha, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement. The Services are not intended for children or any users under the age of 25.
• Personal and Geographic Restrictions: The Services are intended for users in the United States and are subject to U.S. laws and regulations. You represent that you are not located in, a citizen of, or under the control of any country or region subject to U.S. economic sanctions or other trade restrictions. You further represent that neither you nor any entity controlling you appears on any U.S. or international sanctions list (for example, the U.S. Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals list). Becoming Alpha may restrict or block access to the Services from certain jurisdictions as required by law or company policy.
• No Prohibited Persons: You may not use the Services if you have previously been suspended or removed from the platform. You also must not use the Services if you are barred from doing so under applicable laws. For example, if you have been convicted of financial crimes or appear on a government watchlist, you are not permitted to use Becoming Alpha.
• Entities and Representatives: If you use the Services on behalf of a company or other legal entity, you represent that you are authorized to bind that entity to these Terms, and you agree to these Terms on the entity's behalf. The same eligibility criteria apply to any such entity (for instance, the entity must not be owned or controlled by sanctioned or otherwise ineligible parties).

Account Registration and Security

• Account Creation: To access certain features of the Services (including buying or selling the Alpha token or using the marketplace), you will need to create a Becoming Alpha account. You agree to provide truthful, current, and complete information during registration and any identity verification process. This includes providing your legal name, valid contact information, and any other details we request. It is strictly prohibited to provide false information, use aliases, or impersonate any other person or entity during account registration.
• One Account Rule: Each individual user is generally allowed only one account, unless we explicitly permit additional accounts in writing. You may not sell, rent, share, or transfer your account to any other person or entity. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials (login name, password, and any two-factor authentication codes) confidential. Do not allow any other person to access the Services using your credentials.
• Account Security: You are solely responsible for maintaining the security of your account and your own cryptocurrency wallets. Becoming Alpha is a non-custodial platform – you control your Alpha token wallet and private keys. Keep your wallet passwords, private keys, and recovery phrases secure. If you lose access to your wallet (for example, by losing your private key or recovery phrase), Becoming Alpha cannot recover your tokens for you. We strongly encourage the use of strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
• Unauthorized Access: If you suspect any unauthorized access to or use of your account, you agree to notify us immediately via our contact email (see Contact Information section below). We may assist you in securing your account, but remember that transactions on a blockchain are peer-to-peer and irreversible by nature. Becoming Alpha cannot reverse or cancel any blockchain transaction, even if it was unauthorized.
• Account Suspension: We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if we have reason to believe that: (a) you have provided inaccurate, untruthful, or fraudulent information; (b) you have violated these Terms; or (c) you have engaged in any suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal activity. We may take such action with or without prior notice, at our sole discretion, and without liability for any inconvenience or loss this causes (except as required by applicable law).

Alpha Token Use

For comprehensive information about the ALPHA token, including its legal nature, token distribution, staking and rewards, Utility-Bound Tokens (UBTs), eligibility requirements, and important disclaimers, please refer to our ALPHA Token Terms & Conditions. The following section provides a summary of key points relevant to using ALPHA tokens on the Becoming Alpha platform.

• Alpha Token as Exclusive Medium: Becoming Alpha uses its native digital asset, the Alpha token, as the exclusive medium of exchange on the platform's marketplace. This means all purchases, sales, payments, and transactions for goods or services facilitated through the Becoming Alpha platform must be conducted in Alpha tokens. You agree not to attempt to pay with, or solicit payments in, any currency other than the Alpha token for transactions taking place on our platform.
• Nature of Alpha Token: The Alpha token is a cryptocurrency issued by Becoming Alpha at the launch of the platform. It is not legal tender or fiat currency, nor is it backed by any government. Alpha tokens derive value solely from the agreement of users and market demand. Alpha's value can be highly volatile. You acknowledge that the price of Alpha (like other digital assets) may fluctuate rapidly, and you accept all risks associated with holding or transacting in Alpha.
• Buying and Selling Alpha: Users may buy Alpha tokens from, or sell Alpha tokens to, other users through peer-to-peer transactions on the platform. Becoming Alpha may provide a listing or matching service to help users find trading partners for Alpha, but Becoming Alpha is not a broker, exchange, or financial intermediary in these trades. Any exchange of Alpha for fiat currency or other value is strictly between the users involved. Payment arrangements (such as bank transfers or other payment methods) to purchase Alpha must be agreed upon directly between the buyer and seller. We do not handle or custody any fiat funds; we do not act as a payment processor or escrow agent for such trades.
• Transaction Finality: Transactions involving Alpha tokens are executed on a blockchain network. Once a transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, it is generally irreversible. Becoming Alpha does not control the blockchain network and cannot cancel, undo, or reverse a transfer of Alpha tokens. No refunds or chargebacks are available through our platform for completed blockchain transactions. Users should exercise extreme caution and double-check all transaction details (including recipient wallet addresses and amounts) before sending any tokens.
• Token Utility and Fees: Alpha tokens may be used not only to pay other users for goods or services but also to access certain features or educational content on the platform. Becoming Alpha reserves the right to require payment of Alpha tokens for specific premium features or to impose transaction fees in Alpha for marketplace trades (for example, a small percentage of each sale). If any such fees are introduced, they will be clearly disclosed. All fees paid in Alpha are non-refundable (except as required by law or expressly stated otherwise).
• No Investment Advice or Guarantee: By enabling the use of Alpha tokens on the platform, Becoming Alpha makes no representation or warranty that Alpha is a sound investment, will hold its value, or will appreciate in value. Alpha is intended as a utility token for use within our ecosystem, and any value it has on secondary markets is driven by user demand and other external factors outside our control. We do not guarantee you will profit from holding or using Alpha. You are solely responsible for your decision to acquire or use Alpha tokens and should do so only after careful consideration of your financial circumstances and risk tolerance.

Marketplace Rules and User Responsibilities

Becoming Alpha operates a peer-to-peer marketplace where users can offer and obtain goods and services with payment in Alpha tokens. All users must adhere to the following marketplace rules:

• Peer-to-Peer Transactions: All transactions on Becoming Alpha are conducted directly between users (the buyer and the seller). Our platform serves as a venue to connect buyers and sellers and provides tools (such as listings, direct messaging, and rating/review systems) to facilitate exchanges. We do not buy, sell, or ever take ownership of the items or services listed by users, and we are not a party to any sales contract between users. Becoming Alpha does not act as an agent, dealer, or escrow service, and we do not guarantee that buyers or sellers will complete any given transaction.
• Listing and Selling Goods/Services: If you are a seller on the platform, you must ensure that any item or service you list is described accurately and completely. You are responsible for setting the price in Alpha tokens and any other terms of sale (for example, condition of an item, shipping or delivery method and timeline, warranty or support if any). By listing an item or service, you agree to deliver that item or fulfill that service as described once you have confirmed receipt of the agreed-upon payment in Alpha. Do not list anything illegal, prohibited, or that you do not have the legal right to sell. (See the Prohibited Activities section below for details on forbidden content and items.)
• Buying and Payment: If you are a buyer, you agree to pay only in Alpha tokens as required by the seller's listing terms. Before committing to a purchase, ensure you have sufficient Alpha tokens in your wallet. Once you and a seller reach an agreement on a transaction, you should transfer the specified amount of Alpha tokens to the seller's designated wallet address. Only send payments to the exact wallet address provided by the seller and verify all transaction details beforehand — cryptocurrency transactions cannot be undone. After you send the payment and it is confirmed on the blockchain, the seller is expected to promptly deliver the goods or perform the service as agreed.
• No Interference with Transactions: Users shall not interfere with another user's listing or transaction. This means you should not attempt to contact another user to conduct a transaction outside of the platform (for example, to avoid fees or platform rules), and you should not harass, pressure, or otherwise influence users in a malicious way during a trade. All communications and negotiations regarding a transaction should remain honest and, where possible, within the platform's channels so that a record is maintained in case of disputes.
• User Disputes: Because Becoming Alpha is not a party to transactions between users, users are responsible for resolving any disagreements or disputes arising from a trade. If an issue occurs (for example, non-delivery of goods, goods not as described, or non-payment), we strongly encourage the buyer and seller to communicate directly and attempt to reach a resolution in good faith. Becoming Alpha may, at our discretion, offer a basic dispute resolution process or mediation tools to assist users, but we do not guarantee a resolution and we will not compensate any party for losses. In some cases, we may provide relevant evidence or information (such as chat logs or transaction records) to the parties or to law enforcement to help resolve a dispute, but the ultimate outcome is determined by the users involved. All risk and liability for peer-to-peer transactions lie with the buyer and seller.
• Non-Custodial Platform: Remember that Becoming Alpha is a non-custodial platform – we do not hold users' cryptocurrency tokens or physical goods on their behalf. We do not control the Alpha tokens being exchanged or any item being sold. Therefore, we cannot guarantee delivery of goods or payment, and we cannot retrieve or refund tokens that a user has sent to another user. All transactions are peer-to-peer and are made at your own risk. Use your best judgment when trading, and only transact with users you trust. You should also consider using any security features we provide (for example, user ratings/reviews or smart contract-based escrow mechanisms, if available) to improve the safety of your transactions.

Project Launch & Listings

Becoming Alpha operates as a blockchain launchpad that enables projects to build, launch, and scale blockchain ventures. This section sets forth the terms and obligations applicable to projects that launch on our platform.

Project Compliance Obligations:

• Regulatory Compliance: Projects launching on Becoming Alpha must warrant and represent that their tokens, offerings, and operations comply with all applicable securities laws, commodities laws, anti-money laundering laws, consumer protection laws, and other applicable laws and regulations in all jurisdictions where they operate or offer their tokens. Projects are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including obtaining any necessary registrations, licenses, or approvals.
• Accurate and Complete Disclosure: Projects must provide accurate, complete, and not misleading information about:
  • Tokenomics, including token distribution, vesting schedules, and allocation
  • Rights and utility of project tokens
  • Use of proceeds from token sales or fundraising
  • Team members, advisors, and key personnel
  • Project roadmap, milestones, and development plans
  • Known risks, limitations, and material information that could affect token value or project success
  Projects must promptly update any material information and notify Becoming Alpha of any material changes to project information, including changes that could affect the legality or regulatory status of the project or its tokens.
• No Unregistered Securities: Projects must not offer, sell, or promote tokens that constitute unregistered securities in any jurisdiction where registration is required, unless an applicable exemption is available and all conditions for such exemption are met. Projects are responsible for determining whether their tokens are securities under applicable law and for complying with all securities laws and regulations.
• Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Projects must comply with all applicable anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) laws and regulations. Projects must conduct appropriate due diligence on participants and implement measures to prevent their tokens from being used for money laundering, terrorist financing, or other illicit activities.

Becoming Alpha's Rights:

• Refusal, Suspension, and Delisting: Becoming Alpha reserves the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse to launch, suspend, or delist any project at any time, with or without notice, if we determine that:
  • The project has violated these Terms, our Acceptable Use Policy, or any other applicable policies
  • The project has made material misrepresentations or failed to disclose material information
  • The project or its tokens may violate applicable laws or regulations
  • Regulatory concerns or enforcement actions have been raised regarding the project
  • The project poses a risk to Becoming Alpha, our users, or the broader ecosystem
  • The project has engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal conduct
  Becoming Alpha is not obligated to provide reasons for refusal, suspension, or delisting, and our decisions in this regard are final and binding.
• Due Diligence and Screening: Becoming Alpha may perform due diligence, screening, verification, or background checks on projects, their team members, and their tokens. However, any such due diligence or screening:
  • Does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of the project
  • Does not guarantee the legality, legitimacy, or regulatory compliance of the project
  • Does not guarantee the financial soundness, viability, or success of the project
  • Does not eliminate or reduce the risks associated with investing in or participating in the project
  • May not identify all risks, issues, or concerns
• 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 or benefits to participants. Projects may fail, experience technical issues, face regulatory challenges, or otherwise not meet expectations.

Investor and Participant Responsibilities:

• Conduct Your Own Due Diligence: Investors and participants are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence on any project before investing or participating. You should not rely solely on information provided by Becoming Alpha or the project, and you should verify all information independently.
• Assess Risks: You are responsible for assessing the risks and suitability of any project or investment opportunity for your individual circumstances, financial situation, and risk tolerance.
• No Investment Advice: Nothing on Becoming Alpha's platform constitutes investment advice. Becoming Alpha does not recommend, endorse, or provide opinions on any project or investment opportunity.

Project Tokens and Offerings:

• Separate Terms: Each project may have its own terms and conditions, token sale agreements, or other documents that govern the purchase, holding, and use of project tokens. You are responsible for reading and understanding all project-specific terms and agreements.
• Smart Contract Risks: Project tokens and offerings may involve smart contracts that carry inherent risks, including bugs, vulnerabilities, and potential exploits. Becoming Alpha does not guarantee the security or functionality of any project's smart contracts.
• No Refund Guarantee: Becoming Alpha does not guarantee refunds for any project tokens or investments. Refund policies, if any, are determined by each project and are subject to the project's terms and conditions.

For comprehensive information about risks associated with projects, tokens, and investments, please see our Risk Disclosure Policy.

Compliance and Verification (KYC/AML)

Becoming Alpha is committed to complying with all laws and regulations related to financial transactions, anti-money laundering (AML), and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT). By using our Services, you agree to complete all required identity and verification procedures and to assist in our compliance efforts. We have implemented robust Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) procedures to verify user identities and ensure our platform is not used for illicit purposes.

For detailed information about our identity verification procedures, sanctions screening, ongoing monitoring, data retention, and your rights and responsibilities regarding KYC/AML compliance, please see our KYC / AML & Sanctions Compliance Overview.

Failure to complete required KYC/KYB verification steps, or if you no longer meet legal requirements to use the platform, may result in refusal to open an account or suspension/termination of your existing account. Becoming Alpha is not liable for any losses or inconvenience resulting from our compliance measures (such as being unable to trade while your account is frozen for review).

Prohibited Activities

When using Becoming Alpha, you agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities. These rules are designed to keep our marketplace safe, lawful, and fair. Violating these prohibitions can result in suspension or termination of your account and may result in legal action against you.

• Illegal or Unlawful Use: You may not use the Services for any illegal purpose or to further any criminal activity. This includes (but is not limited to) using our platform to launder money, finance terrorism, engage in fraud, deal in stolen property, or violate any law, regulation, or governmental guideline. You agree to abide by all applicable export controls, sanctions, and trade restrictions. Any transaction that would violate U.S. or international law is strictly forbidden on Becoming Alpha.
• Sanctions Violations: Do not attempt to use the platform if you are subject to economic sanctions or if you reside in a region under comprehensive U.S. sanctions. Likewise, you may not use Becoming Alpha to transact with any person or entity that appears on a sanctions or watchlist (for example, the U.S. OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list or similar lists maintained by other countries or international organizations). Engaging in transactions involving sanctioned parties or jurisdictions is a violation of these Terms.
• False Information and Impersonation: You must not provide false, misleading, or deceptive information to Becoming Alpha or other users. This includes creating a fake identity or alias, impersonating any person or entity, or misrepresenting your affiliation with a person or entity. Do not falsify documents or attempt to circumvent our verification processes (e.g. by using someone else's identification documents or altered documents). Any attempt to deceive other users for financial gain (such as through scams, phishing, or fraud) is strictly prohibited.
• Multiple Accounts and Evasion: Except as expressly permitted by us, you may not create multiple accounts for yourself. You also may not create a new account if we have terminated or suspended your original account. Additionally, you must not try to circumvent any restrictions we have placed on you — for example, by using a VPN or proxy to bypass geo-blocking, or by providing false location information. You may also not direct or encourage users to complete transactions outside of the Becoming Alpha platform in order to evade our rules or fees; all marketplace transactions initiated on the platform should be completed through the platform's intended process.
• Prohibited Goods and Services: You must not use the marketplace to buy or sell goods, services, or content that are illegal or that require special regulation unless you fully comply with all applicable laws and we have expressly allowed such activity on the platform. Prohibited items include, for example: illegal drugs or controlled substances; firearms, ammunition, or explosives; stolen or illegally obtained goods; counterfeit or pirated products (including fake designer items or unlicensed media); human organs or body parts; sexually explicit content involving minors (or any child pornography); and any item whose sale is restricted or regulated by law without proper authorization (such as certain wildlife products, prescription medications, etc.). If you are unsure whether something is allowed, do not list it. When in doubt, contact us for clarification before proceeding.
• Intellectual Property Infringement: Do not use the Services to infringe on others' intellectual property (IP) rights. This means you may not list or sell counterfeit goods or unauthorized replicas (e.g. fake branded merchandise), and you may not upload or share content (text, images, software, etc.) that you do not have the right to use. Respect copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other IP rights. If you post content on the platform (such as images or descriptions for your listings), you must either own that content or have permission to use it. We reserve the right to remove any listing or content that allegedly infringes a third party's rights, and we may ban users who are repeat infringers.
• Malicious Activity and Security Violations: You must not engage in any activity that interferes with or disrupts the proper functioning of our platform or the underlying blockchain networks. Prohibited activities include (but are not limited to):

• Introducing Harmful Code: Uploading or distributing viruses, worms, malware, or any other code that is malicious or technologically harmful.
• Hacking and Unauthorized Access: Attempting to hack, probe, or gain unauthorized access to any part of our website, servers, systems, user accounts, or smart contracts. This also includes trying to circumvent or disable any security or technical measures we have in place to protect the platform.
• Automated Scraping or Bot Use: Using any automated means (such as bots, crawlers, or scrapers) to collect data from the platform or to engage in transactions, except where such automated access is explicitly allowed by us (for example, if we provide an API and you comply with its terms).
• Platform Abuse (DoS/Spamming): Deliberately overloading the platform with excessive traffic or requests (e.g., a denial-of-service attack), or otherwise using the Services in a manner that could damage, disable, or impair the platform's infrastructure.

• Harassment and Abuse: We require mutual respect among all users. You may not harass, threaten, bully, or abuse others through our platform. This includes using hate speech or slurs, making defamatory or obscene comments, or engaging in conduct that violates another person's privacy or dignity. Do not stalk or attempt to dox (publicly reveal personal information about) other users. Any form of intimidation, extreme or repeated harassment, or encouragement of violence is strictly prohibited. If you have a dispute with another user, keep communications civil and focused on resolving the issue or seek our help if appropriate—do not engage in personal attacks.
• Market Manipulation: You agree not to engage in schemes or activities that aim to artificially influence the price or trading volume of the Alpha token or any goods/services on the marketplace. Prohibited manipulative behaviors include, for example: wash trading (pretending to trade by buying and selling to yourself or an associate to create false volume or pricing), pump-and-dump schemes (spreading hype or false information to inflate an asset's price, then selling off), spoofing (placing orders you do not intend to execute, to mislead others), or spreading false or misleading information about Alpha or any listed item to affect prices. The Alpha token's value should be determined by legitimate market forces; any attempt to distort or tamper with market prices is not allowed.
• Unauthorized Marketing or Spam: You must not use Becoming Alpha to promote third-party products or services without our permission. For example, do not post advertisements, referral links, or promotional content in forums, chats, or listing descriptions, especially when they are unrelated to a legitimate transaction on our platform. Additionally, do not "spam" other users with unsolicited offers or messages. All communication on the platform should be relevant to its intended purpose and adhere to these Terms and any community guidelines we provide.
• Other Harmful Activities: You are prohibited from engaging in any other activity that Becoming Alpha deems harmful to its users, operations, or reputation. This includes encouraging or assisting anyone in violating these Terms, or engaging in conduct that we find abusive or detrimental to the platform or its user community.
• Enforcement and Reporting: We reserve the right to investigate any suspected violation of this Prohibited Activities section and to take any action we deem appropriate to address the misconduct. This can include removing or editing content, canceling ongoing trades, suspending or terminating accounts, and reporting you to law enforcement authorities. If you become aware of any user engaging in the above prohibited activities, please report it to us immediately using the contact information provided below. Your vigilance helps us keep the community safe.

Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights

• Platform Ownership: All content and materials provided through the Becoming Alpha Services (including, but not limited to, the software and source code, website design, text, graphics, logos, the Alpha token smart contract code, and any proprietary technology) are owned by or licensed to Becoming Alpha and are protected by intellectual property laws. Becoming Alpha (and our licensors, if applicable) retain all rights, title, and interest in and to the Services and all related intellectual property. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Services only for their intended purposes (for example, participating in the marketplace and using our educational resources) and only in compliance with these Terms.
• Use Restrictions: You agree that you will not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, create derivative works of, publicly display, or publicly perform any part of our Services or content, except as expressly permitted by us. You will not reverse engineer or attempt to extract the source code of any software or blockchain smart contracts used in our Services, unless such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law (and then only after giving us prior written notice of your intent). No trademark, logo, or branding of Becoming Alpha (including our name "Becoming Alpha" or the name "Alpha" in connection with our token) may be used by you without our prior written consent. For example, you cannot use our logo on your own website or product in a manner that would confuse people into thinking we endorse or are affiliated with you.
• User Content License: If you post, upload, or otherwise transmit any content through the Services (for example, product listings, descriptions, photographs of items, reviews, or posts on community forums), you retain ownership of your content. However, by submitting or posting content on our platform, you grant Becoming Alpha a worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-exclusive, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify (for technical display or formatting purposes), distribute, and display your content as necessary to operate and provide the Services. For instance, we may display your listing descriptions and images on our site, use excerpts of your content in promotional materials, or translate your content as needed for users in different regions. This license is limited to the purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services and will end when you delete the content from our platform (except to the extent that: (a) others have already viewed, downloaded, or copied it, or (b) we have retained backups of the content as part of our regular system backups or record-keeping).
• Feedback: We appreciate and encourage feedback, comments, and suggestions from our users. If you choose to submit any ideas or suggestions to us about improving or adding new features to Becoming Alpha ("Feedback"), you agree that we are free to use and implement such Feedback in our products or Services without any restriction or compensation to you. By providing Feedback, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to use, modify, and incorporate the Feedback into our services or other offerings as we see fit. Do not submit any feedback that you consider confidential or proprietary, and understand that we are not obligated to keep any Feedback you send confidential or to pay you for it.
• Educational Content: Becoming Alpha may provide educational materials as part of the Services, such as articles, tutorials, blog posts, webinars, or other content. All such content is either owned by us or used under license from third-party creators. We grant you a limited right to access and view this educational content for your personal use. However, you may not redistribute, copy, or republish the content without our permission. Moreover, while we strive for accuracy in our educational materials, they are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We do not guarantee that any educational content is accurate, complete, or up-to-date, and you should verify information independently. (See the Disclaimers section below for more on this.)
• Third-Party IP: The platform may include content or software provided by third parties (for example, open-source software libraries, or user-generated content uploaded by other users). Third-party software components may be subject to their own license terms, which will govern your use of those components (we will inform you if any separate terms apply to specific third-party software on the platform). Similarly, if you believe that any content on our platform infringes your copyright or other IP rights, please notify us in writing with all relevant details. We have a process for addressing IP infringement claims and will promptly investigate and take appropriate action, such as removing or disabling access to infringing material, in accordance with applicable intellectual property laws.
• Reservation of Rights: All rights not expressly granted to you in these Terms are reserved by Becoming Alpha and our licensors. Nothing in these Terms grants you any rights in the Alpha token itself beyond the right to use it as a medium of exchange and utility on the platform. In particular, buying or holding Alpha tokens does not grant you any ownership of or equity in Becoming Alpha as a company, nor any rights to our proprietary software or intellectual property beyond the license described above. Specifically, purchasing Alpha tokens does not confer any rights to our trademarks, and you agree not to use or register any name, trademark, or domain that is confusingly similar to "Becoming Alpha" or our other branding.

DAO Participation and Decentralized Governance

Becoming Alpha is not only a marketplace and educational platform; it is also an evolving project with a vision to become a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). This section outlines how we plan to introduce community governance via the Alpha token and what that means for you as a user. (Note: The DAO initiative is a forward-looking feature and may not be active at the time you agree to these Terms.)

• Roadmap to Decentralization: From day one, Becoming Alpha launched with the Alpha token integrated into the ecosystem. Initially, the platform is operated by the company (a centralized entity), but we plan to progressively decentralize control and decision-making. Over time, certain governance decisions, platform parameters, or future developments may be determined by votes of Alpha token holders in a DAO structure. We will communicate details of this decentralization roadmap — including phases, types of governance proposals, voting mechanisms, and timelines — through official channels (such as our website, a published whitepaper, or community announcements). Please note that the transition to a DAO is an evolving process subject to regulatory considerations and technical development; no specific outcome or timetable is guaranteed.
• Governance Rights: In the future, the Alpha token may function as a governance token. This means holders of Alpha tokens could gain the right to propose or vote on certain changes or initiatives related to the platform. For example, token holders might vote on protocol upgrades, adjustments to platform fees, funding grants for community projects, election of community representatives or moderators, or modifications to platform policies. If and when such governance functionality is enabled, participation will be optional but encouraged for those who want a say in the platform's direction. The weight of your vote may be proportional to the number of tokens you hold or other criteria, as specified in the DAO's governance documents when they become available.
• Interim Centralized Control: Until the DAO is formally established and capable of effective governance, Becoming Alpha's operations and decision-making remain under the control of the company. These Terms and our existing policies will continue to apply in full. During the transition period, we may experiment with non-binding community votes or polls (sometimes called "signal" votes or advisory votes) to gather input from token holders; however, such votes will generally not be binding on the company. We will clearly indicate when a particular decision or policy is officially handed over to token-holder governance. In the meantime, the company reserves the right to make all platform decisions necessary to ensure legal compliance, user safety, and platform stability.
• DAO Governance Documents: Once the DAO is launched, there will likely be additional terms or a DAO Constitution/Charter that outlines how the DAO will operate. This would cover how proposals are made and voted on, what counts as a quorum, how votes are executed on-chain, etc. Those DAO-specific terms will work in conjunction with (and in some cases may supersede or replace) certain provisions of these Terms. We will provide all users and token holders with any such governance documents at the appropriate time. By choosing to participate in the DAO (for example, by voting on proposals or staking tokens for governance), you may be asked to agree to the DAO-specific terms. If you do not agree with the direction of the DAO or the rules it sets, you will have the choice not to participate in governance or to exit the platform (for example, by transferring or selling your tokens).
• No Immediate Legal Change: It's important to understand that becoming a DAO does not mean the company ceases to exist or that laws no longer apply. Even as we decentralize decision-making, Becoming Alpha will continue to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations (including those described in the Compliance section above). The DAO will be structured in a manner consistent with U.S. laws to the extent possible. For example, the DAO might be formalized through a legal entity (such as a Delaware DAO LLC or another appropriate legal framework) to provide clarity on liability and legal status. We will keep the community informed about these structural steps as we move toward decentralization.
• User Responsibilities in the DAO: If you choose to engage in governance activities, you must do so responsibly and in good faith. Any proposal you submit or vote you cast should be with the intention of benefiting the community and the platform as a whole. You must not attempt to defraud, manipulate, or deceive the community through the governance process (for instance, by introducing malicious smart contract code in a proposal, or spreading misinformation about proposals or candidates). The DAO is meant to embody transparency and community benefit; abusing the governance process can result in loss of governance privileges or other community-driven consequences.
• Amendments via the DAO: In the future, the DAO may have the authority to propose and vote on amendments to these Terms or other platform policies. If the DAO-approved governance process results in an amendment to the Terms, Becoming Alpha will provide clear notice to all users and specify the effective date of the new terms. However, certain sections of these Terms – particularly those that are required by law or are critical to legal protections (for example, compliance obligations, dispute resolution terms, or provisions protecting fundamental rights and liabilities) – may be designated as not subject to change via DAO vote without Company approval or regulatory clearance. We will clarify which parts of governance are managed on-chain by the DAO versus which obligations remain off-chain and legally required, when the DAO framework is published.
• Risk Acknowledgment: By participating in or relying on a future DAO for governance, you acknowledge that decentralized governance is an experimental process and may not always function as intended. There may be technical or procedural vulnerabilities, and outcomes may not satisfy all participants. There is also regulatory uncertainty surrounding DAOs and their decisions. We intend to navigate these challenges carefully, but by participating, you accept the risks inherent in a partially or fully decentralized platform. The company will strive to facilitate a smooth transition and will retain certain emergency powers if needed to protect users (for example, the ability to pause smart contracts in case of hacks or to comply with regulatory orders) even after the DAO launch, unless and until those powers can be safely transitioned to the community or a neutral protocol mechanism.
• No Fiduciary Duties: Neither Becoming Alpha nor any of its founders, team members, or early token holders owe fiduciary duties to the community in the way that a corporate director or officer would to a corporation. Likewise, participating in the DAO does not make any user a general partner or create joint liability. All governance participation is voluntary and at-will. While we pledge to act in what we believe are the best interests of the platform and encourage community participants to do the same, all governance activities are provided "as is" without any fiduciary responsibility. (This clarification does not waive any rights you may have under law, but is meant to explain the nature of the DAO relationship.)
• Transparency: We commit to transparency as we move toward a DAO model. Key governance documents, proposals, votes, and discussions will be made public for the community to review. The smart contracts governing the Alpha token and any DAO voting mechanisms will be visible and auditable on the blockchain. We invite the community to stay informed and actively involved as Becoming Alpha evolves into a community-governed ecosystem.

Suspension and Termination

Both you and Becoming Alpha have the right to end your relationship with the platform under certain circumstances. This section explains when and how accounts may be suspended or terminated, and what happens after termination.

• User Termination: You may terminate your account and stop using the Services at any time, for any reason. You can do this simply by ceasing all use of the platform and, if applicable, contacting us to request formal account closure. If you would like us to delete personal data associated with your account, please refer to our Privacy Policy for information on data deletion procedures. Note that if you stop using your account without formally closing it, your data may remain in our systems in accordance with our data retention policies.
• Our Right to Terminate or Suspend: Becoming Alpha may, at its sole discretion, suspend, restrict, or terminate your account or access to the Services at any time, with or without notice, for any reason including (but not limited to):

• Violation of Terms: If you breach these Terms or any other policy of ours (for example, engaging in any Prohibited Activities or providing false information).
• Failed Verification: If you fail to successfully complete required KYC/KYB verification, or if any information you provided is suspected to be fraudulent or inaccurate.
• Legal Compliance: If we receive a legal request or court order requiring us to terminate your account, or if continuing to offer you Services would violate any law or regulation (for instance, if laws in your state or country prohibit the type of service we provide).
• Security or Technical Concerns: If we encounter unexpected technical or security issues with your account, or detect unusual activity indicating your account may have been compromised.
• Harmful Behavior: If you engage in behavior that we believe is harmful to other users, our platform, or third parties (for example, fraud, harassment, or selling illegal goods).
• Extended Inactivity: If your account is inactive for an extended period, we may deactivate it to reduce security risks associated with dormant accounts.

• Effect of Termination (Account Closure): Upon termination of your account for any reason (whether initiated by you or by us):

• Cease Use: You must immediately stop using the Services. Any licenses or rights granted to you under these Terms will end immediately upon termination.
• Outstanding Transactions: If there are any pending transactions at the time of termination (for example, you agreed to sell an item but have not delivered it yet, or you purchased something but have not received it), we may cancel those transactions if possible. However, if a transaction has already been completed on the blockchain (i.e., tokens have been transferred), we cannot reverse it. In such cases, the users involved should attempt to settle any remaining obligations directly with each other. Becoming Alpha will not be liable for any incomplete transactions or unmet obligations due to account termination.
• Data and Content: In general, you may lose access to information or content that was associated with your account, including your profile information, listings, and any data stored in an in-platform wallet. (Note: as a non-custodial service, we typically do not hold your tokens; they remain in your own external wallet.) We may retain certain information from your account as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (for example, compliance records or evidence of disputes). See our Privacy Policy for details on data retention and deletion.
• No Liability for Termination: Except as expressly provided in these Terms or required by law, Becoming Alpha will not be liable to you for compensation, reimbursement, or damages arising from termination or suspension of your account, or termination of your access to Services. For example, if we terminate your account without cause and you had prepaid for some service, we may refund the unused portion of your payment; however, beyond such obligations, you agree not to hold us responsible for the consequences of termination.
• Survival of Terms: Even after your account is terminated, certain provisions of these Terms will remain in effect. In particular, any clauses relating to ownership of intellectual property, disclaimers of warranties, limitations of liability, indemnification obligations, governing law, and dispute resolution (including arbitration), and any other provisions which by their nature should survive, will survive termination. Termination of your account does not relieve you of any obligations to pay any fees or costs accrued prior to termination (if any), nor does it nullify any transactions that were executed while your account was active.
• Reinstatement: If your account was suspended or restricted (but not permanently terminated), we may allow you to resume use of the Services once the underlying issue is resolved (for example, if you completed a pending verification, or if an investigation concludes in your favor). However, we are under no obligation to reinstate accounts. If your account was permanently terminated, you will generally not be allowed to rejoin without our explicit written permission, and we may impose conditions on any such reinstatement.
• Multiple Account Ban: If your account was terminated for a violation of these Terms or other misconduct, you are strictly prohibited from creating a new account to circumvent the ban. If we discover that you have created a new account after termination, we reserve the right to immediately terminate the new account as well and take further legal action if necessary. We also reserve the right to block blockchain addresses associated with you from interacting with our smart contracts (to the extent technically feasible) to enforce bans on a decentralized level in extreme cases (for example, in cases of fraud or abuse).

• Company Termination of Services: Separately from individual account termination, Becoming Alpha reserves the right to discontinue or wind down the Services entirely (for example, if the company decides to cease operations of the platform). If we choose to shut down the platform, we will make reasonable efforts to provide advance notice to all users. In such an event, you should ensure that you have saved any information from your account that you might need, and that you have control over your Alpha tokens in your own personal wallet (since our service is non-custodial, you should already have your tokens in your own wallet). We will not have any liability to users for the cessation of Services, but we will endeavor to wind down operations in an orderly manner — for example, by allowing users to complete any last pending transactions or to retrieve any important data, subject to regulatory constraints.

Disclaimers of Warranties

Becoming Alpha provides the Services "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE." Your use of the platform is at your own risk. This section contains important disclaimers of warranties and explanations of what we do not promise regarding the Services.

• No Warranty of Uninterrupted Service: We do not guarantee that the Services will be available at all times, or that they will be uninterrupted or error-free. Downtime, delays, and errors can occur for many reasons, including technical problems, maintenance, upgrades, or factors outside our control (such as internet outages or blockchain network congestion). You acknowledge that access to the platform may be suspended or disrupted from time to time without notice in cases of system failure, maintenance, or for security reasons.
• No Warranty on Results or Accuracy: Becoming Alpha makes no warranty that using the Services will achieve any particular results or meet your expectations. For example, we do not warrant that you will successfully sell your goods, find the items or services you want to buy, or achieve any financial gains. Any data, analytics, or informational content provided via the Services (such as educational materials, token price feeds, or marketplace statistics) are for general information only. We do not guarantee that this information is complete, accurate, or current. You should independently verify all information before relying on it. Any decisions you make based on information obtained from our platform (for example, investing in Alpha tokens or entering into a transaction) are made at your own discretion and risk.
• Volatility and Financial Risk: Participation in cryptocurrency and digital token markets carries a high degree of risk. The Alpha token (and other cryptocurrencies) can be extremely volatile — its value may rise or fall dramatically over short periods. There is a substantial risk that you could lose money by buying, selling, holding, or using Alpha tokens. Additionally, the legal and regulatory status of crypto assets is evolving and may be uncertain in many jurisdictions; new laws, regulations, or government policies can adversely impact the Alpha token or the operation of the platform, potentially without warning. By using our Services, you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks. Becoming Alpha does not provide financial or investment advice, and nothing on our platform should be construed as such. If you are unsure about whether engaging in cryptocurrency transactions is suitable for you, you should consult with a qualified financial advisor and carefully consider your own financial situation and risk tolerance.
• No Custody; No Fiduciary Duty; No Investment, Tax, or Legal Advice: Because Becoming Alpha is non-custodial and peer-to-peer, we do not hold your assets on your behalf, and we do not act as a fiduciary, trustee, or agent for you. We do not control your Alpha tokens or other funds — you do. We also make no guarantee that unauthorized third parties will never be able to defeat our security measures or gain access to information you provide us (although we employ industry-standard security practices, no system is infallible). Our relationship with you is purely contractual as set out in these Terms; we owe you no fiduciary duties. You are solely responsible for safeguarding your own assets, which includes protecting access to your cryptocurrency wallets and private keys. Becoming Alpha is not responsible for any loss of crypto assets due to your failure to secure your account or wallet.
• 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, financial planning, tax advice, or legal advice. We do not make recommendations about whether to buy, sell, or hold any tokens or digital assets. You are solely responsible for all investment decisions you make, and you should consult with qualified financial advisors, tax professionals, and legal counsel as appropriate. You are solely responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable tax laws and reporting requirements in your jurisdiction. Becoming Alpha does not provide tax advice, and you should not rely on us for tax reporting or compliance. All investment and trading decisions are made at your own risk and discretion.
• Quality of Goods/Services: We do not warrant or guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or authenticity of any goods or services listed and transacted by users on the marketplace. Any issues or disputes regarding a product or service (for example, if it is defective, not as described, never delivered, or otherwise unsatisfactory) are strictly matters between the buyer and seller. Becoming Alpha does not provide any warranty on behalf of sellers. Transactions on the marketplace are conducted at your own risk. Buyers should use discretion and, if available, review seller ratings or feedback before purchasing. Similarly, sellers should exercise caution and perhaps vet buyers if possible. We provide no insurance or guarantees that buyers will pay or that sellers will deliver; to the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim any implied warranties for marketplace transactions.
• Third-Party Services, Content, and Protocols: Our platform may integrate with or allow you to access third-party services, content, blockchain networks, bridges, or protocols. For example, we might use a third-party identity verification service, link to external wallets, integrate with third-party blockchain networks, or show content such as news, charts, or external websites for convenience. These third-party services, content, protocols, and integrations are provided for your convenience only; they are not under our control and are subject to their own risks, terms, and policies. We make no warranties or representations about any third-party services, content, or protocols accessed through our platform. Your use of any third-party service, blockchain network, bridge, or protocol is at your own risk and may be subject to the third party's own terms, privacy policy, and risks (including smart contract risks, network risks, and other risks specific to those third-party systems). We do not endorse or assume responsibility for any third-party offerings. If a third-party service, network, or protocol fails or causes you harm, you must address that issue with the third party — Becoming Alpha is not liable for the actions, failures, or risks of third parties, including third-party blockchain networks, bridges, or protocols.
• "As Is" and "As Available": To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Becoming Alpha disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, or statutory, regarding the Services. This includes any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Services will meet your requirements or expectations, or that any errors or defects in the Services will be corrected. For example, we do not guarantee that any particular smart contract or feature is free of vulnerabilities or that any known bugs will be fixed promptly. You acknowledge that software (including blockchain smart contracts) can never be completely free from defects or vulnerabilities.
• No Warranty of Future Value or Utility: We specifically disclaim any warranty that the Alpha token will maintain any particular value or utility over time. Regulatory changes, shifts in market conditions, technical developments, or numerous other factors could diminish or eliminate the utility and/or market value of Alpha tokens. The success of the platform and the token is speculative and subject to all the risks of a new technology venture. You acquire and use Alpha tokens with no warranties whatsoever from us that they will hold value, perform in any particular way, or that the platform will continue to support their use indefinitely.
• Exceptions: Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so some of the above disclaimers may not fully apply to you. In such cases, the warranties are disclaimed to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of your jurisdiction. Also, no advice or information (whether oral or written) obtained from Becoming Alpha or through the Services shall create any warranty not expressly stated in these Terms.

Limitation of Liability

This section limits the types of damages that Becoming Alpha (and related parties) may be held liable for, and it limits the amount of money you can recover from us, if any.

• No Indirect or Consequential Damages: To the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event will Becoming Alpha or its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, or licensors (collectively, the "Becoming Alpha Parties") be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to your use of (or inability to use) the Services. This includes any dispute or interactions between users of the platform, or any unauthorized access to or alteration of your data or communications. Examples of such disclaimed damages include, without limitation: lost profits, lost revenue, lost business opportunities or goodwill, loss of cryptocurrency or other assets, loss of data, or the cost of procuring substitute goods or services. These exclusions apply even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages, and regardless of the legal theory the claim is based on (whether breach of contract, tort including negligence, strict liability, statutory violations, or otherwise).
• Cap on Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, the total cumulative liability of the Becoming Alpha Parties to you for any and all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services is limited to the greater of: (a) the total amount of fees (if any) that you paid to Becoming Alpha for use of the Services in the six (6) months immediately prior to the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) $100 USD. For example, if you paid us $30 in fees over the past six months, our maximum liability for your claims would be $100 (since $100 is greater than $30). If you paid us $500 in fees in that period, our maximum liability would be $500. And if you have paid us nothing (as might be the case since many platform features may not involve direct fees), our maximum liability to you would be $100. You agree that this limitation on liability is reasonable, given the nature of the Services and the fact that use of the platform often does not require monetary fees.
• User Disputes & Release: As noted elsewhere, we are not a party to transactions or interactions between users. If you have a dispute with one or more users, you release Becoming Alpha and the Becoming Alpha Parties from any and all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes. We do not control and do not guarantee the truth, accuracy, or legality of any user-generated content or listings on the platform, nor do we guarantee that any user will fulfill their obligations in a transaction. Your dealings are solely between you and the other user(s). This release is not intended to waive any rights or claims you may have against the other user who directly harmed you; rather, it means that you agree you will not hold Becoming Alpha responsible for another user's actions or omissions.
• Risks of Cryptocurrency: Becoming Alpha shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from the inherent risks of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. This includes, but is not limited to: losses due to volatile market conditions (for example, if the value of the Alpha token or other tokens drops sharply or spikes unpredictably), issues on the blockchain network (such as network forks, congestion, or failure of the underlying blockchain), errors in smart contracts (bugs or exploits that affect token functionality), or security breaches on your end (for instance, if your private key is stolen due to phishing or your own failure to secure your devices or accounts). All blockchain transactions are irreversible and, by using our platform, you accept that responsibility for mistakes (such as sending cryptocurrency to the wrong address) or for any external fraud rests with you. Becoming Alpha has no ability to reverse blockchain transactions or recover lost funds.
• Force Majeure: We are not liable for any damages or losses resulting from events outside our reasonable control (so-called "force majeure" events). Such events include, but are not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, war or acts of terrorism, civil unrest, acts of government or regulatory authorities, embargos or trade restrictions, labor disputes or strikes, power or utility failures, internet or blockchain network failures, and other events that are beyond our reasonable control and could not have been prevented by reasonable precautions.
• Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Becoming Alpha and its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, and agents, from and against any and all third-party claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal costs) arising out of or related to: (a) your use or misuse of the Services; (b) your breach or alleged breach of these Terms; (c) your violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any rights of any third party; or (d) any content you post or actions you take on the platform. We reserve the right, at our own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you. If we do assume the defense of a claim, you agree to cooperate with our defense of that claim and you will not settle any such claim without our prior written consent.
• No Liability for Educational Content: Any information provided by Becoming Alpha that is of an educational or informational nature (for instance, articles, tutorials, or webinars) is used at your own risk. We do not accept liability for any actions you take or fail to take based on the information you obtain from our educational content. Always conduct your own research and consider seeking professional advice tailored to your circumstances before making decisions based on educational materials.
• Applicability of Limitations: Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain types of liability (for example, they may not allow the exclusion of liability for personal injury or for a party's own intentional misconduct). Therefore, some of the above limitations may not apply to you in part or in full. In such jurisdictions, the liability of the Becoming Alpha Parties will be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law. Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or limit any non-waivable statutory rights or remedies that apply to you (such as certain consumer rights that by law cannot be waived).
• Timing of Claims: To the extent permitted by applicable law, any claim or cause of action you have arising out of or related to your use of the Services or these Terms must be filed within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose. If you do not file the claim within that one-year period, it will be forever barred. (Note: If applicable law prohibits this one-year limitation for certain claims, then the shortest allowable limitations period will apply.)
• Acknowledgment: You acknowledge and agree that the disclaimers and limitations of liability set forth in these Terms are a fundamental part of the agreement between you and Becoming Alpha. We would not be able to provide the Services to you without such disclaimers and limitations. In entering into these Terms, you have relied on these disclaimers and limitations, and you agree that they are fair and reasonable.

Governing Law

These Terms, and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or related to these Terms or their subject matter, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. (The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to these Terms.)

Because the Services are based in the United States, certain U.S. federal laws may also apply. In particular, the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) will govern the interpretation and enforcement of the arbitration agreement in these Terms (see the Dispute Resolution – Arbitration Agreement section below).

If for any reason a dispute between you and Becoming Alpha is found not to be subject to arbitration, then (except as otherwise required by applicable law) you and Becoming Alpha agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Georgia for the resolution of that dispute. You and Becoming Alpha each consent to venue in Georgia, and waive any objections to the exercise of jurisdiction by such courts or to the convenience of that forum.

Important: Although the Services may be accessible in many locations worldwide, we make no representation that the Services are appropriate or available for use in any particular jurisdiction outside the United States. If you choose to access or use the platform from outside the U.S., you do so on your own initiative and at your own risk, and you are responsible for compliance with all local laws and regulations that may apply to you.

Restricted Jurisdictions: Becoming Alpha may restrict or prohibit access to our Services from certain jurisdictions that are subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions programs or that are identified as high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering or terrorist financing. We may also restrict services to users in jurisdictions where cryptocurrency or digital asset transactions are prohibited or heavily restricted by local law. Currently, we generally do not provide services to users located in, or who are citizens or residents of, countries subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions (such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea region of Ukraine) or other high-risk jurisdictions. This list of restricted jurisdictions may be updated as sanctions programs and regulations evolve. If you attempt to access our Services from a restricted jurisdiction or use a virtual private network (VPN) or other method to circumvent our jurisdictional restrictions, we reserve the right to immediately suspend or terminate your account. We also reserve the right to restrict or terminate accounts from any jurisdiction at any time if we determine that providing services would violate applicable law or create unacceptable risk.

Export Controls: Becoming Alpha's Services, software, and technology are subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). You may not access or use our Services in violation of U.S. export control laws or sanctions programs. By using our Services, you represent and warrant that: (i) you are not located in, and are not a citizen or resident of, any country subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions; (ii) you are not on any U.S. government list of prohibited or restricted parties; (iii) you will not export, re-export, or transfer our Services to any country, entity, or person subject to U.S. export controls or sanctions; and (iv) your use of our Services does not violate any applicable export control or sanctions laws. Violations of export control laws may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. We reserve the right to restrict access to our Services in any jurisdiction to comply with applicable export control and sanctions laws.

Dispute Resolution (Arbitration Agreement)

Please read this section carefully. It requires that most disputes be resolved through individual arbitration rather than in court, and it significantly limits the right to participate in class actions or have a trial by jury.

• Agreement to Arbitrate: You and Becoming Alpha agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Services (collectively, "Disputes") shall be resolved by binding arbitration on an individual basis, rather than in court, except for the limited exceptions described below. By agreeing to arbitration, both you and we waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action in court. This arbitration agreement is governed by the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1–16) and, to the extent state law is relevant, by the laws of the State of Georgia.
• Scope: This arbitration agreement is intended to be interpreted broadly. It includes, for example, disputes based on contract, statute, regulation, ordinance, tort (including fraud, misrepresentation, negligence, or any other legal theory), or arising out of or relating to any aspect of the relationship between you and Becoming Alpha. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the arbitrator – and not any court – shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, including any claim that all or part of this arbitration agreement is void or voidable.
• Exceptions to Arbitration: Notwithstanding the above, either you or Becoming Alpha may choose to pursue a Dispute in small claims court (if the dispute qualifies for small claims jurisdiction) rather than in arbitration. Also, any party may seek injunctive or equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction when such relief is necessary to protect that party's rights or property pending the outcome of arbitration. For example, a party may seek court relief to prevent the misuse of intellectual property or the disclosure of confidential information before an arbitrator is able to rule. In addition, disputes relating to allegations of intellectual property infringement or misappropriation may, at the option of the party alleging infringement, be resolved in court rather than through arbitration.
• Arbitration Procedures: The arbitration will be administered by a neutral arbitration organization, such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), as mutually agreed by the parties. If we are unable to agree on an arbitrator or arbitration forum, we default to using the AAA. The arbitration shall be conducted according to the rules of the chosen arbitration organization that are in effect at the time a claim is filed (for example, the AAA's Consumer Arbitration Rules, if applicable). You may initiate an arbitration by submitting the required forms and paying any necessary filing fee to the arbitration organization. The arbitration organization's rules will govern the payment of filing fees and other arbitration costs; however, we will reimburse your filing fee for claims totaling less than $10,000, unless the arbitrator determines your claims are frivolous or brought in bad faith. The arbitrator may choose to conduct any hearings by telephone or video conference, and not in person, unless an in-person hearing is requested by one of the parties and the arbitrator agrees that it is necessary.
• Arbitration Location: If an in-person arbitration hearing is needed, the default location shall be in Georgia, unless you and Becoming Alpha agree to a different location. If Georgia is not convenient for you, please let us know — for consumers, we will consider any reasonable request to hold the hearing at a location more convenient to you (for example, in or near your home state), provided it is within the United States. The arbitrator also has discretion to select a different location if required by the arbitration rules or to avoid undue burden.
• Arbitrator's Authority and Award: The arbitrator will have the authority to grant any relief that would be available in court under applicable law, except that the arbitrator's authority is limited to resolving disputes between individual parties only. The arbitrator may award relief (including declaratory or injunctive relief) only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide the relief warranted by that party's individual claim. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that includes the essential findings and conclusions upon which any award is based. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the parties.
• Class Action Waiver: You and Becoming Alpha agree that any Dispute will be resolved on an individual basis, and not on a class, collective, consolidated, or representative basis. You and Becoming Alpha expressly waive any right to have any Dispute heard as a class action or in any other proceeding in which either party acts or proposes to act in a representative capacity. The arbitrator shall not have authority to combine or aggregate similar claims or conduct any class, collective, or representative proceeding, and shall not be able to provide relief for or on behalf of anyone who is not a party to the arbitration. If this class action waiver is found to be unenforceable or unlawful, then the entirety of this Dispute Resolution (Arbitration Agreement) section shall be null and void, but the rest of the Terms shall continue to apply, except that the waiver of the right to jury trial set forth above will still apply.
• 30-Day Opt-Out Right: We want to give you a choice. If you do not wish to be bound by the arbitration and class-action waiver provisions in this section, you must opt out by notifying us in writing within 30 days of first agreeing to these Terms. Your written opt-out notice must be sent to us by mail at the address provided in the Contact Information section below, and must include: (a) your account username (or email) and any other information we may need to identify your account; and (b) a clear statement that you wish to opt out of the arbitration agreement in these Terms. If you opt out of arbitration, all other parts of these Terms will continue to apply to you. Opting out of this arbitration agreement will not negatively affect your use of the Services. If you do not opt out within 30 days of first accepting these Terms, you will be deemed to have agreed to this arbitration agreement.
• Future Changes to Arbitration Agreement: If we make any changes to this arbitration agreement in the future (other than a change to our contact information or a change that provides you with more rights or options), you have the right to reject the change by sending us written notice within 30 days of the change. By rejecting a new change, you agree that you will arbitrate any Dispute between you and Becoming Alpha in accordance with the language of this arbitration section as of the date you first agreed to the Terms (or agreed to any subsequent changes to the Terms).
• Severability of Arbitration Terms: If any portion of this Dispute Resolution (Arbitration) section (other than the Class Action Waiver clause above) is found to be unenforceable, that portion shall be severed and the remainder of this section shall remain in full force and effect. If the Class Action Waiver is found to be unenforceable, then this entire Dispute Resolution section shall be null and void, but in that event the parties agree that the exclusive jurisdiction and venue provisions in the Governing Law section shall govern any court actions.
• Confidentiality of Arbitration: Any arbitration proceeding, and any ruling, decision, or award by the arbitrator, shall be confidential and not disclosed to anyone outside the arbitration, except as may be required to enforce the award or as otherwise required by law. You and we agree not to disclose any information about the existence of the arbitration, the content of the proceedings, or the outcome, except as allowed by the preceding sentence.
• Judicial Forum for Limited Circumstances: Subject to the above Class Action Waiver, if this arbitration agreement is found not to apply to you or to a particular claim (for example, if you opt out of arbitration or if a court of competent jurisdiction finds the arbitration agreement unenforceable), then for any such matters you and Becoming Alpha agree that any lawsuit or court proceeding (other than small claims actions or requests for injunctive relief as noted above) will be brought in the federal or state courts located in Georgia, and both you and we consent to the jurisdiction of those courts for such purposes.

By agreeing to these Terms, you explicitly acknowledge that you have read and understood this arbitration agreement and are knowingly and voluntarily agreeing to individual binding arbitration and to the waivers of jury trial and class action set forth above.

Changes to Terms

As our business evolves, we may need to update these Terms to reflect changes to our Services, technology, or legal requirements. This section explains how we might modify these Terms and how we will notify you.

• Right to Modify: Becoming Alpha reserves the right to amend or update these Terms at any time. Changes may be made for various reasons, such as adapting to new features or functionality, complying with new laws or regulations, or clarifying existing policies. We will not make arbitrary or capricious changes; generally, any modifications will be driven by legitimate needs or improvements in the user experience.
• Notification of Changes: If we make material changes to these Terms, we will provide reasonable notice to you of those changes. We may notify you through one or more of the following methods:

• Posting the updated Terms on our website, with an updated "Last Updated" date indicated at the top of the Terms.
• Sending an email to the email address associated with your account, informing you of the update.
• Providing an in-service notice through the platform's user interface (for example, a pop-up notification or banner when you log in).

• We will choose the method(s) of notification appropriate to the significance of the changes. It is important that you maintain an accurate email address with us and that you review any notices we provide.
• Acceptance of Changes: Unless otherwise stated, any changes to these Terms will be effective at the time we post the revised Terms or as of the date indicated in the notice we provide. In some cases, we might specify that changes become effective at a future date or upon a specific event (such as when a new feature is launched). If you continue to use the Services after the updated Terms take effect, that continued use constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to any updated Terms, you must stop using the Services and, if applicable, you should close your account.
• Reviewing Updates: We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed about any changes. We may (but are not obligated to) highlight or summarize major changes to the Terms for convenience. Nonetheless, the full text of the Terms as posted on our website will govern your use of the Services at all times. It is your responsibility to ensure you understand the current Terms in effect. Remember that your use of Becoming Alpha following any update means you agree to the updated Terms.
• Historic Versions: For transparency and reference, we may keep an archive of previous versions of these Terms. If required by law, or at our discretion, we might make past versions available on our site (for example, via a version history page or upon request). However, only the current version of the Terms (i.e., the version in effect at the time of your use) applies to you. Past versions are superseded and not binding once new Terms take effect.
• Emergency Changes: Occasionally, we may need to make urgent changes to these Terms without advance notice, particularly if required for legal compliance or to address a critical security issue. For example, if a new law is enacted that necessitates immediate changes, or if a security vulnerability is discovered, we may update relevant provisions of the Terms immediately. We will still notify users as promptly as possible about such changes. These emergency changes are effective immediately due to their nature, and by continuing to use the Services you are agreeing to the Terms as modified.
• DAO and User-Proposed Changes: As noted in the DAO Participation section above, in the future a decentralized governance process (the DAO) might have input on or even authority over certain platform rules or policies. We will clarify how any user/DAO-proposed changes to policies would be implemented in practice. In all cases, users will be informed of changes and given the opportunity to agree to the new terms or to cease using the Service. We will not retroactively impose material changes to the Terms — changes will apply going forward from their effective date.
• Severability of Changes: If any amendment to these Terms is found by a competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that particular change will be disregarded to the extent of the invalidity, and the prior version of that specific provision (unless it was already legally superseded by an earlier valid change) will remain in effect. All other provisions of the updated Terms will remain valid and in force. We will work in good faith to address any such invalid modification in a manner that best reflects the original intent and the requirements of law.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms or any aspect of the Becoming Alpha platform, please feel free to contact us. We value open communication with our users and will do our best to address your inquiries.

• Company Name & Address: Becoming Alpha, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) – 8000 Avalon Boulevard, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
• Email: support@becomingalpha.world

You can email us for general customer support, to report any issues or violations, or to ask questions about these Terms or our Privacy Policy. If you are sending a legal notice (for example, a notice of dispute, legal claim, or service of process), please indicate "Legal Notice" in the subject line of your email or correspondence to ensure it is routed properly.

• Website Contact Form: You may also reach out through our Contact page. We typically try to respond to user inquiries within 2–3 business days, although response times may vary.
• DAO Communication: If and when the Becoming Alpha DAO is established, we will provide additional channels for community and governance discussions (such as official community forums, a Discord or Telegram group, etc.). However, for any official support regarding account issues or potential violations of these Terms, please use the direct contact methods above (email or contact form) rather than solely posting in public forums. This will help us address your issue promptly and directly.
• Notice to California Residents: If you are a California resident, under California Civil Code Section 1789.3 you are entitled to the following consumer rights notice: The Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs can be contacted in writing at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834, or by telephone at (800) 952-5210.

By using the Becoming Alpha platform, you confirm that you have read these Terms of Service in their entirety and that you agree to abide by them. Thank you for being part of the Becoming Alpha community. We appreciate your trust and look forward to supporting you in this new peer-to-peer crypto marketplace era.