Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the CHIPS Marketplace.
General
What is CHIPS?
CHIPS is a marketplace for creative design work. Clients post projects, designers claim and complete them, and payments happen through CHIPS -- a stable digital currency pegged 1:1 to the US dollar.
Is CHIPS a cryptocurrency?
CHIPS is a digital token, but it is not speculative. One CHIPS always equals one US dollar. You do not need to understand crypto to use CHIPS -- think of it as a platform currency, like credits in a marketplace.
How does CHIPS make money?
CHIPS takes a 21% fee on each completed project. Of that, 15% covers marketplace operations, 5% goes to the Merit Pool (rewarding top designers), and 1% funds the Review Panel reserve for dispute resolution.
For Clients
How do I know the designer will deliver?
Every designer on CHIPS has a public Reputation score and tier level. Designers also lock a Commitment Deposit (10-30% of the project value) when they claim your project. If they fail to deliver, you receive their deposit as compensation.
What if the client does not respond to submitted work?
An Auto-Approve Timer runs during your review window (48 or 72 hours, your choice). If you do not approve or respond, the work is automatically approved and payment is released. You will receive a reminder 24 hours before the timer expires.
Can I cancel a project?
Yes. If no designer has claimed your project, you get a full refund. If a designer has already claimed it, the project is closed, the designer's Commitment Deposit is returned, and your payment is refunded.
What is a Good Faith Deposit?
A small refundable deposit (3-7% of project value) that some clients pay when posting a project. The percentage depends on your Trust Score. It is returned when the project completes. This keeps the marketplace healthy by ensuring clients are serious.
What is my Trust Score?
Your Trust Score reflects your reliability as a client. It is visible to designers as a number before they claim. Respond on time, give clear feedback, and approve good work to maintain a strong score.
For Designers
How do I level up?
Your tier is determined by your Reputation score:
- Fresh: Complete 5 supervised projects to graduate
- Common: Reputation 0 -- 29
- Rare: Reputation 30 -- 59
- Epic: Reputation 60 -- 84
- Legendary: Reputation 85 -- 100
There is no application. Hit the threshold and you level up automatically.
What is a Commitment Deposit?
A percentage of the project value that you lock when you claim a project. It is returned when you deliver on time. The percentage depends on your tier -- higher tiers lock less. Fresh designers do not pay any deposit.
| Tier | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Fresh | 0% |
| Common | 30% |
| Rare | 25% |
| Epic | 20% |
| Legendary | 10% |
What happens if I miss a deadline?
Your full Commitment Deposit is transferred to the client. Your Reputation score also takes a hit. Missing deadlines is the fastest way to lose tier status.
What happens if I abandon a project?
75% of your Commitment Deposit goes to the client and 25% is permanently removed from circulation. Abandonment is treated more seriously than a missed deadline.
How do I cash out?
Use Instant Cashout to convert your CHIPS to USDC at any time, 24/7. The rate is always 1:1. No invoicing, no waiting.
What is the Merit Pool?
5% of every project payment goes into the Merit Pool, which is distributed to top-performing designers based on their total earnings and Reputation. The better and more consistent your work, the larger your share.
What is a Verified Credit?
A permanent, non-transferable record of each project you complete. Verified Credits are your portable proof of work history. They cannot be bought, sold, or faked.
What if I disagree with a client's rejection?
You can request a Review Panel -- a dispute resolution process where 2 Legendary designers and 1 CHIPS staff member evaluate the work against the original brief. If the panel rules in your favor, the work is approved and you get paid.
Safety and Security
Is my payment safe?
Yes. All payments are held in Payment Escrow -- a secure holding system where neither the client nor designer can access the funds until the work is reviewed and approved (or auto-approved).
What is a Safety Pause?
If the system detects unusual marketplace activity (like a sudden spike in disputes or unusual transaction patterns), a Safety Pause temporarily halts affected operations. This protects all users from potential issues.
What if the platform goes down?
Your CHIPS are stored on the Solana blockchain, which means they exist independently of the CHIPS website. Even if the platform experiences downtime, your funds are safe and accessible.