These Terms of Service (“Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RoyalMerit Inc., a California Benefit Corporation (“RoyalMerit,” “Merit,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing or using the Merit platform (the “Platform”), you confirm that you:

• have read and understood these Terms;
• agree to be legally bound by them;
• are at least 18 years old (or legal age of majority in your jurisdiction).

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

2. NATURE OF THE PLATFORM – NOT A CHARITY

RoyalMerit Inc. is a for-profit technology company operating a digital marketplace that connects individuals seeking help with individuals willing to assist.

RoyalMerit Inc.:

• is NOT a charitable organization;
• is NOT a nonprofit corporation;
• does NOT operate as a 501(c)(3);
• does NOT provide tax-deductible donations;
• does NOT solicit charitable contributions on its own behalf.

The Platform enables peer-to-peer voluntary assistance between private individuals.

All payments made through the Platform are voluntary peer-to-peer transfers and are not charitable donations to RoyalMerit Inc.

3. ROLE AS LIMITED PAYMENT COLLECTION AGENT

RoyalMerit acts solely as a limited payment collection agent of the recipient, for the purpose of facilitating peer-to-peer financial assistance.

When a user sends financial assistance:

• the payment is made to the recipient;
• funds belong exclusively to the recipient;
• RoyalMerit does not take ownership of funds;
• RoyalMerit does not hold funds as trustee or fiduciary.

Payments are processed through licensed third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe).

RoyalMerit is not a bank, financial institution, escrow agent, or money transmitter.

4. PLATFORM SERVICE FEE

RoyalMerit charges a platform service fee, currently set at 5% of each financial assistance transaction.

This fee compensates RoyalMerit for:

• providing technical infrastructure,
• moderation and verification tools,
• fraud prevention,
• customer support,
• regulatory compliance,
• payment processing coordination,
• taxes and operational costs.

RoyalMerit reserves the right to modify the service fee at its discretion.

Any applicable fee will be disclosed prior to transaction completion.

RoyalMerit earns revenue only from the disclosed service fee.

5. NO TAX DEDUCTION

Payments made through the Platform:

• are NOT charitable donations to RoyalMerit;
• may NOT be tax-deductible;
• are the sole responsibility of the sender and recipient.

RoyalMerit does not provide tax advice. Users are responsible for their own tax compliance.

Recipients are responsible for reporting income received through the Platform as required by law.

6. NO MONEY TRANSMISSION SERVICES

RoyalMerit does not:

• provide money transmission services,
• operate as a payment institution,
• hold customer funds,
• provide escrow services.

All payment processing is conducted by licensed third-party providers.

Users agree that RoyalMerit’s role is limited to facilitating payment instructions between users and payment processors.

7. ASSUMPTION OF RISK

You acknowledge and agree that interactions initiated through the Platform involve risks, including but not limited to:

• physical injury,
• fraud,
• theft,
• financial loss,
• misrepresentation,
• criminal conduct.

You voluntarily assume all risks arising from your use of the Platform.

RoyalMerit has no obligation to intervene in user disputes.

8. NO VERIFICATION OR GUARANTEE

RoyalMerit does not guarantee:

• identity of users,
• authenticity of documents,
• truthfulness of requests,
• safety of interactions,
• proper use of funds.

Any verification tools are provided “as is” without warranty.

9. USER CONDUCT & ACCOUNT TERMINATION

RoyalMerit may suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate any account, at its sole discretion, for:

• violation of these Terms;
• abusive, threatening, or harassing behavior;
• fraudulent activity;
• misrepresentation;
• attempt to manipulate Merit Score;
• legal, regulatory, reputational, or safety risk.

Enforcement decisions are final.

10. MERIT SCORE

Merit Score:

• has no monetary value;
• is not property;
• is not transferable;
• may be modified, revoked, reset, or discontinued at any time.

No user acquires legal rights based on Merit Score.

11. DONATIONS TO ROYALMERIT & VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

Users may voluntarily support development of the Platform.

Such contributions:

• are not investments;
• do not create ownership rights;
• are non-refundable.

Any ideas, feedback, suggestions, or materials submitted to RoyalMerit may be used, modified, commercialized, or incorporated into the Platform without compensation.

You waive any claim to ownership, royalties, or authorship.

12. USE OF REVIEWS & GRATITUDE CONTENT

RoyalMerit may use user-generated feedback, testimonials, or gratitude messages for promotional purposes, provided such use:

• does not distort meaning,
• does not harm user reputation,
• remains respectful and accurate.

Users may request removal at any time by contacting in-app support.

13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, RoyalMerit Inc. shall not be liable for:

• bodily injury or death,
• theft or fraud,
• emotional distress,
• lost profits,
• indirect or consequential damages.

Maximum aggregate liability shall not exceed USD $100 or the amount paid to RoyalMerit in the past 12 months, whichever is lower.

14. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to defend and indemnify RoyalMerit Inc. from claims arising from:

• your use of the Platform,
• your interaction with other users,
• your violation of law,
• your fraudulent or negligent conduct.

15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

All disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association.

You waive the right to:

• jury trial;
• class action;
• collective proceedings.

Venue: California, USA.

16. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California.

For EU users, mandatory consumer protections remain unaffected.

The English version prevails in case of translation conflict.

17. MODIFICATIONS

Continued use of the Platform after updates constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.

18. CONTACT

Legal notices:
andrei@royalmerit.ai