> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://novacont.gitbook.io/nova-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://novacont.gitbook.io/nova-docs/getting-started/faq.md).

# FAQ

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Getting Started

<details>

<summary><strong>How do I get a cryptocurrency wallet?</strong></summary>

To use NovaCont, you need an Ethereum-compatible wallet. The most widely used option is **MetaMask**, which is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge, as well as a mobile application for iOS and Android.

To get started with MetaMask:

1. Visit [metamask.io](https://metamask.io) and download the official extension or app
2. Click **Create a new wallet** and follow the setup instructions
3. You will be given a **Secret Recovery Phrase** (a sequence of 12 or 24 words). Write this down and store it somewhere safe and private. This phrase is the only way to recover your wallet if you lose access to your device. Never share it with anyone under any circumstances.
4. Once your wallet is created, you will have an Ethereum address a string beginning with `0x` that serves as your identity on the blockchain

Other compatible wallets include **Coinbase Wallet**, **Rainbow**, and **Trust Wallet**. Any wallet that supports EVM-compatible networks and WalletConnect can be used with NovaCont.

> NovaCont has no affiliation with MetaMask or any other wallet provider. Always download wallets exclusively from their official websites. Fake wallet applications are a common vector for theft.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Do I need ETH to use NovaCont?</strong></summary>

Yes. You will need ETH in your wallet for two purposes: to fund the escrow deposit when creating or accepting a contract, and to pay network gas fees for every on-chain action. Because NovaCont runs on Base (an Ethereum Layer 2) gas fees are typically less than $0.02 per transaction. Always ensure your wallet holds slightly more ETH than the deposit amount to cover these costs.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>What if I send funds to the wrong address?</strong></summary>

Blockchain transactions are irreversible. If you send funds to an incorrect address (whether through a mistyped contract creation or any other error) those funds cannot be recovered by NovaCont or by anyone else. Always double-check wallet addresses before confirming any transaction. Copy and paste addresses rather than typing them manually, and verify the first and last several characters after pasting.

</details>

### General

<details>

<summary><strong>What is NovaCont?</strong></summary>

NovaCont is a decentralized escrow protocol that allows two parties to enter into a binding digital agreement without relying on a centralized intermediary. Funds are locked in a smart contract and released only when agreed conditions are met. No single entity (including NovaCont) has unilateral access to locked funds.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Who owns and operates NovaCont?</strong></summary>

NovaCont is a product of **NOVA**, a company dedicated to building decentralized financial infrastructure for the Web3 ecosystem. The protocol is developed, maintained, and operated by NOVA. While the smart contracts themselves are autonomous and operate without human intervention, the platform interface, dispute administration, and protocol governance are managed by NOVA.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Is NovaCont available worldwide?</strong></summary>

NovaCont is a permissionless protocol accessible to anyone with a compatible wallet and an internet connection. However, users are solely responsible for ensuring their use of the platform complies with the laws and regulations of their jurisdiction. NovaCont does not restrict access by geography but makes no representations regarding legal compliance in any specific region.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Is NovaCont available on mobile or Telegram?</strong></summary>

NovaCont's full platform is accessible via any mobile browser with a wallet app. Additionally, NovaCont Lite (a simplified escrow experience) is planned for Telegram, allowing users to create and manage basic agreements directly within the messaging app using a Telegram mini app and bot. NovaCont Lite will handle smaller agreements natively on the TON blockchain. For full dispute resolution and higher-value agreements, users are directed to the main platform on Base.

</details>

***

### Jury System

<details>

<summary><strong>Where do dispute fees go when the jury system is active?</strong></summary>

When a dispute is opened in jury mode, the dispute fee is transferred directly to the **NovaJury smart contract** not to NovaCont. The NovaJury contract holds these fees in its own balance and distributes them upon case resolution. 70% of the total fee pool collected from both parties is distributed equally among the jurors who actively voted on the case. The remaining 30% is retained by the protocol as an operational contribution. At no point do dispute fees pass through NovaCont's administrative control. The distribution is handled entirely by the smart contract.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Who can become a juror?</strong></summary>

Anyone with a compatible wallet and a minimum of 500 USDT can register as a juror. There are no identity requirements, no applications, and no approval process. Your stake is your entry ticket. See the **Becoming a Juror** section for full details.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Is the jury system active right now?</strong></summary>

Not yet. NovaCont is currently operating in administered mode, where disputes are reviewed and resolved by a designated administrator. The decentralized jury system will be activated once a sufficient juror pool has been established. See the **Jury System - Overview** page for more details on the current status and transition plan.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Can a jury verdict be appealed?</strong></summary>

No. Jury verdicts are final and are executed automatically on-chain once a majority is reached. There is no appeals mechanism. Users should approach any dispute with thorough, well-organized evidence from the outset.

</details>

***

### Fees & Costs

<details>

<summary><strong>What fees does NovaCont charge?</strong></summary>

NovaCont charges a 3% platform fee on the agreed base price of every successfully completed agreement. This fee is deducted automatically at settlement. There are no subscription fees, listing fees, or hidden charges. See the **Understanding Fees** page for a complete breakdown.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Are fees charged if a contract is cancelled?</strong></summary>

No platform fee is charged on cancelled contracts. However, gas fees paid for any on-chain actions during the contract lifecycle are non-refundable regardless of outcome.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Is the extra deposit a fee?</strong></summary>

No. The 1.25x deposit required for agreements below $200 is a fully refundable trust mechanism. The 25% surplus is returned to the client automatically upon successful completion. It is never paid to NovaCont or to the provider.

</details>

***

### Funds & Security

<details>

<summary><strong>Where do my locked funds actually go?</strong></summary>

Your funds are sent directly to the NovaCont smart contract address on the blockchain. They do not pass through NovaCont's servers, bank accounts, or any intermediary. The smart contract holds them autonomously according to its coded rules and releases them only when a valid condition is met (approval, cancellation, timeout, or dispute resolution).

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Can NovaCont access my locked funds?</strong></summary>

No. The smart contract operates autonomously. While the contract owner has certain administrative capabilities (such as pausing the contract or cancelling agreements in emergency situations) these actions always result in a full refund to the client. There is no mechanism by which NovaCont can redirect locked funds to itself or to any unauthorized party.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>What happens if NovaCont shuts down?</strong></summary>

The smart contracts are deployed on the blockchain and continue to exist and function independently of NovaCont's platform interface. Even if the NovaCont website goes offline, users can interact directly with the smart contract through a blockchain explorer or a compatible interface. Locked funds are never dependent on NovaCont's servers remaining online.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Can my funds ever get permanently stuck?</strong></summary>

No. Every state in the contract lifecycle has a defined exit path. Timeout mechanisms ensure that funds are never locked indefinitely due to one party becoming unresponsive. If you are a provider and your client disappears after delivery, you can claim your payment after 7 days. If you are a client and your provider never accepts, your funds are refunded when the accept deadline expires.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>What happens if ETH price changes significantly after I lock funds?</strong></summary>

The deposit amount is calculated in ETH at the moment of contract creation using a live oracle price. Once funds are locked, the contract records the ETH amount. Not the USD value. If ETH price moves significantly after locking, the real-world value of the locked funds changes accordingly. Both parties accept this market risk at the time of contract creation. For agreements where price stability is critical, USDT payment support mitigates this risk. NovaCont operates on Base, where gas fees are minimal, so price volatility during the transaction window is the primary market risk rather than fee unpredictability.

</details>