Platform Policies

SmartShell Escrow Agreement

Last updated February 7, 2026

This SmartShell Escrow Agreement (“Agreement”) governs the operation of automated escrow contracts used on the Fisheez platform. It is incorporated by reference into the Fisheez Terms of Service and is binding upon all Buyers and Sellers who participate in escrow-based transactions on the platform.

1. Introduction

1.1 Fisheez provides a marketplace where Buyers and Sellers may transact using SmartShell, an automated, non-custodial escrow system.

1.2 SmartShell manages deposits, holds, releases, returns, disputes, and appeals in accordance with fixed rules and time periods.

1.3 By initiating or participating in a SmartShell escrow transaction, Buyers and Sellers agree to be bound by this Agreement.

2. Non-Custodial Structure

2.1 No Custody by Fisheez. Funds used in SmartShell escrow transactions do not enter the possession or control of Fisheez. Funds are transferred directly between the Buyer’s wallet, the SmartShell contract, and the designated recipient.

2.2 Autonomous Execution. SmartShell operates solely according to predefined logic, timers, and dispute outcomes. Fisheez does not manually trigger releases, refunds, extensions, or reallocations of escrowed funds.

2.3 Binary Outcomes Only. Each SmartShell escrow supports only two settlement outcomes:

Forward Release: payment of the full escrow amount to the Seller; or
Backward Refund: refund of the full escrow amount to the Buyer.

2.4 No Partial Settlements. SmartShell does not provide for partial refunds, split payments, or discretionary allocation of funds within a single escrow contract.

3. Escrow Activation

3.1 An escrow contract is activated when:

the Buyer initiates a transaction;
the Buyer deposits the full transaction amount into SmartShell; and
the Seller accepts the order or otherwise agrees to the transaction.

3.2 Seller Acknowledgment Window (Non-Response Rule).

Although SmartShell becomes funded and technically active as soon as the Buyer deposits funds, the Seller must acknowledge the order within seventy-two (72) hours by either:

Accepting the order; or
Rejecting the order (which triggers an immediate full refund to the Buyer); or
Communicating through the in-platform messaging system in a way that confirms awareness of the transaction.

3.2(a) Failure to Acknowledge.

If the Seller does not accept, reject, or communicate within the 72-hour acknowledgment window:

SmartShell automatically treats the order as unaccepted,
Opens a Non-Response Dispute on behalf of the Buyer, and
After a short verification step confirming no Seller activity,
SmartShell refunds the full escrow amount to the Buyer.

3.2(b) Effect on Timers.

The main escrow timer does not begin until the Seller acknowledges the order.
If no acknowledgment occurs within the 72-hour window, no standard escrow period begins.
No extensions and no dispute-cycle timers apply unless the Seller communicates and accepts.

3.2(c) No Penalty to Buyer.

A Buyer cannot be penalized for a Seller’s non-response.

No review windows, return cycles, or other obligations ever trigger if the Seller never acknowledges the order.

3.2(d) No Custodial Discretion.

SmartShell performs this refund automatically based strictly on metadata showing that:

the Seller’s wallet never accepted the transaction; and
no in-platform acknowledgment occurred within the required window.

Fisheez does not manually handle funds, override logic, or exercise discretion.

3.3 The applicable escrow duration will be disclosed to the Buyer and Seller at or before the time of transaction.

3.4 Pre-Dispute Extensions

Before a dispute is filed, Buyers and Sellers may mutually agree to extend the active escrow expiration.
Either party may request a Pre-Dispute Extension, specifying a custom number of additional days between one (1) and twenty-eight (28).
A Pre-Dispute Extension:
must be approved by the other party to take effect;
must be submitted at least twenty-four (24) hours before the current expiration time;
may be requested multiple times, subject to mutual approval each time; and
results in automatic release to the Seller at the extended expiration unless a dispute is filed before the new deadline.
SmartShell updates its expiration timestamp solely based on the parties’ mutual approval and does not create any custodial responsibility for Fisheez.

4. Early Release by Buyer

4.1 The Buyer may voluntarily release funds to the Seller prior to escrow expiration by marking the transaction as complete or using an equivalent confirmation control provided by the platform.

4.2 Upon Early Release:

the full escrow amount is released to the Seller; and
the Buyer waives all rights to dispute, return, or refund under this Agreement with respect to that escrow.

4.3 Early Release is final and irreversible.

5. Automatic Settlement

5.1 If the escrow timer expires without any active dispute or return process under this Agreement:

SmartShell automatically releases the full escrow amount to the Seller.

5.2 Automatic settlement is final and irreversible.

6. Return Requests for Shipped Goods

6.1 This Section applies only to transactions involving shipped physical goods.

6.2 Return Requests. When a Buyer requests a return, the original escrow timer is replaced and ceases to apply. SmartShell initiates a seventy-two (72) hour Seller Response Window.

6.3 Seller Response Window (72 Hours). During the Seller Response Window, the Seller may:

Accept the return, in which case SmartShell enters Return Required status and the Buyer Return Window begins;
Reject the return, in which case a dispute is opened; or
Fail to respond, in which case a dispute is opened automatically.

6.4 Return Required and Buyer Return Window (21 Days). When a return is required, SmartShell enters a twenty-one (21) day Buyer Return Window. During this period, the Buyer must ship the goods back to the Seller and enter tracking information into the platform before the window expires.

6.5 If the Buyer does not provide tracking information within the Buyer Return Window, SmartShell releases the full escrow amount to the Seller.

6.6 Seller Review Window (3 Days). If the Buyer provides tracking information within the Buyer Return Window, SmartShell initiates a three (3) day Seller Review Window. During this window, the Seller may:

inspect the returned goods; and
open a dispute if there is a claimed issue with the return.

6.7 If the Seller does not open a dispute during the Seller Review Window, SmartShell refunds the full escrow amount to the Buyer.

6.8 Return-Related Disputes. A dispute relating to a shipped-goods return may be opened:

during the Seller Response Window;
during the Buyer Return Window; or
during the Seller Review Window.

If the Buyer prevails in any such return-related dispute, SmartShell enters Return Required and re-initiates a full twenty-one (21) day Buyer Return Window, followed by a three (3) day Seller Review Window, unless the dispute outcome specifies a direct refund.

7. Dispute and Appeal Process (All Categories)

7.1 Dispute Filing

7.1 A dispute may be filed by either party in accordance with the Dispute & Refund Policy, including:

before escrow expiration;
upon rejection or non-response to a return request; or
during any return window as described in Section 6.

7.1(a) Effect on Extensions

Once a dispute is filed, any outstanding Pre-Dispute Extension requests are locked.

During the Dispute Cycle, Buyers and Sellers may request one (1) In-Dispute Extension, which:

may be proposed only during the Q&A portion of the Dispute Cycle (prior to the Voting Period);
must be approved by the other party; and
must specify a custom duration between one (1) and twenty-eight (28) days.

Only one In-Dispute Extension is permitted per dispute.

No extensions of any kind may be requested once the Voting Period begins.

7.2 Dispute Cycle (7 Days)

7.2 The standard dispute cycle lasts seven (7) days and generally consists of:

an initial private evidence submission period;
a rebuttal and questions period; and
a voting period during which Peacemakers (community reviewers) determine whether the Buyer or Seller should prevail.

7.2(a) In-Dispute Extension Phase

If an In-Dispute Extension is approved:

the Dispute Cycle is paused;
the dispute is temporarily closed;
SmartShell extends the escrow expiration by the mutually approved number of days; and
the matter enters the Extension Phase described in §7.3.

When the In-Dispute Extension ends, SmartShell automatically initiates the Extension Review Window before voting may occur.

7.3 Extension Phase and Extension Review

7.3.1 Extension Phase

During the Extension Phase, the Seller performs whatever corrective actions, deliveries, or obligations were the basis for the mutually approved In-Dispute Extension. New disputes cannot be filed during this period. Any unresolved concerns must be raised during the Extension Review Window.

7.3.2 Extension Review Window (48 Hours)

When the In-Dispute Extension expires, SmartShell automatically initiates a forty-eight (48) hour Extension Review Window during which:

If the Buyer confirms that the matter is resolved, SmartShell releases the funds forward to the Seller;
If the Buyer asserts non-performance, the matter immediately proceeds to Peacemaker voting without restarting the Dispute Cycle; or
If the Buyer does not respond, SmartShell treats the matter as resolved and releases funds to the Seller.

Only evidence relating to performance during the extension may be submitted during the Extension Review Window.

7.3.3 No Extensions During Voting or Appeal

No Pre-Dispute or In-Dispute Extensions may be requested:

once the Voting Period opens;
during any post-vote appeal filing window; or
during any Appeal Cycle.

Appeal outcomes are final and binary.

7.4 Escalation to Appeal

7.4 If the Dispute Cycle does not produce a valid outcome due to insufficient votes or a tie, the matter proceeds to an appeal.

7.5 Appeal Cycle (7 Days)

7.5 Appeals are handled by a separate panel of Peacemakers over a seven (7) day period. Appeal outcomes are final.

7.6 Outcomes

7.6

If the Buyer prevails and a return is required, SmartShell enters Return Required and the Buyer Return Window in accordance with Section 6.
If the Buyer prevails and no return is required, SmartShell refunds the full escrow amount to the Buyer.
If the Seller prevails, SmartShell releases the full escrow amount to the Seller.

7.7 Automatic Execution

7.7 SmartShell automatically executes dispute and appeal outcomes without manual intervention.

8. Milestone & Multi-Payment Service Transactions

8.1 Services on the Platform may be structured as a single payment or as multiple payments, including milestone-based or phased service arrangements. Each funded payment may be governed by a separate SmartShell escrow contract.

8.2 Each payment may have its own funding amount, escrow duration, completion period, and dispute eligibility, as defined at the time the payment is created and funded.

8.3 Disputes, resolutions, releases, or outcomes related to a specific payment apply only to that payment and do not automatically affect any other payments associated with the same service.

8.4 Buyer approval, Early Release, automatic settlement, and dispute rights apply on a per-payment basis, regardless of whether the service is structured as a single payment or multiple payments.

9. Off-Platform Settlements

9.1 Buyers and Sellers may mutually agree to resolve a dispute or adjust their financial arrangements outside of SmartShell.

9.2 Any off-platform payments or concessions must occur directly between the parties.

9.3 SmartShell does not support partial payments or split settlements. Where the parties have reached agreement off-platform and the Buyer confirms to Fisheez that such settlement has occurred, SmartShell may proceed with a full forward release to the Seller, consistent with the binary outcome model described in Section 2.

10. Administrative Limitations

10.1 Fisheez does not:

manually release, refund, or reallocate funds held in SmartShell;
alter or override dispute or appeal outcomes;
modify escrow timers on a discretionary basis.
approve or deny extensions on behalf of users, or alter any escrow deadline except as triggered automatically by mutually approved extensions or valid dispute/appeal logic.

10.2 Fisheez may:

restrict or suspend access to the platform for violations of policies or applicable law;
initiate or force-open a dispute in cases of suspected fraud or abuse;
deploy technical fixes in accordance with Section 11 to ensure correct execution of SmartShell rules.

11. Technical Errors and Corrective Actions

11.1 Degraded Service Mode.
In the event of a verified platform service interruption, infrastructure outage, or other technical condition that materially prevents Buyers or Sellers from accessing standard SmartShell controls (a “Degraded Service Event”), SmartShell may enter a limited Degraded Service Mode.

11.2 Emergency Pause Trigger.
During a Degraded Service Event, either the Buyer or the Seller to a SmartShell escrow may initiate a one-time Emergency Pause. The Emergency Pause is a predefined protocol function designed solely to preserve user access rights during temporary service unavailability.

11.3 Effect of Emergency Pause.
Upon activation of an Emergency Pause:

(a) All active SmartShell time-based processes for the affected escrow, including delivery windows, inspection windows, dispute cycles, voting periods, and appeal periods, are temporarily paused;
(b) No escrow funds are released, refunded, reallocated, or modified;
(c) The underlying dispute state, if any, remains unchanged; and
(d) No votes, evidence, or outcomes are reset, altered, or invalidated.

11.4 Fixed Duration and Automatic Resume.
Each Emergency Pause has a fixed, non-extendable duration determined by SmartShell protocol rules. Upon expiration of the Emergency Pause:

(a) All escrow timers automatically resume from the point at which they were paused; and
(b) The escrow proceeds under the same rules, deadlines, and outcomes that would have applied absent the pause.

Emergency Pauses cannot be stacked, renewed, or re-triggered for the same escrow.

11.5 One-Time Limitation.
Only one Emergency Pause may be applied per SmartShell escrow, regardless of whether the escrow is in an active, inspection, dispute, or appeal phase.

11.6 No Dispute Cancellation or Outcome Manipulation.
The Emergency Pause does not permit:

(a) unilateral cancellation of a dispute;
(b) reopening of a closed dispute;
(c) avoidance of an imminent outcome; or
(d) extension of escrow beyond the maximum periods otherwise permitted under this Agreement.

11.7 No Custodial Control or Discretion.
The Emergency Pause is executed automatically by SmartShell protocol logic. Fisheez does not manually approve, deny, extend, or terminate Emergency Pauses, does not control escrowed funds, and does not exercise discretion over escrow outcomes.

11.8 Guaranteed Resolution.
All SmartShell escrows are designed to resolve deterministically. Temporary service degradation or invocation of an Emergency Pause does not create indefinite holds, custodial control, or discretionary fund management. Every escrow will proceed to a final release or refund in accordance with this Agreement.

11.9 Fallback Access Interfaces.
Fisheez may provide alternate technical interfaces or access methods to allow Buyers and Sellers to interact with SmartShell during a Degraded Service Event. Use of such interfaces does not alter escrow logic, dispute rights, or settlement outcomes.

12. Governing Policies and Precedence

12.1 This Agreement incorporates by reference the following documents, as updated from time to time:

Fisheez Terms of Service;
Fisheez Dispute & Refund Policy;
Fisheez Return Policy for Shipped Goods;
Peacemaker Governance Charter; and
Category-specific marketplace rules published by Fisheez.
Peacemaker Governance & Charter, which governs Peacemaker eligibility, conduct, dispute-voting procedures, and community-moderation review under Terms of Service §6.11.

12.2 In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the Fisheez Terms of Service, the Fisheez Terms of Service shall control.

13. User Obligations

13.1 Buyers and Sellers agree to:

provide accurate and truthful information;
submit evidence in good faith;
meet all applicable deadlines for disputes, returns, and reviews;
comply with listing, delivery, and communication requirements;
refrain from abusing the dispute, return, or review processes.

13.2 Fisheez may restrict, suspend, or terminate access to the platform for users who violate these obligations or applicable law.

14. Finality of SmartShell Outcomes

14.1 Subject to any valid dispute or appeal processes described herein, all SmartShell releases, refunds, and settlements are final and irreversible once executed.

14.2 Neither Fisheez nor any of its affiliates shall be obligated to reverse or compensate for outcomes executed by SmartShell in accordance with this Agreement and applicable policies.

15. Acceptance

15.1 By initiating, participating in, or benefiting from a transaction governed by SmartShell, the Buyer and Seller acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this SmartShell Escrow Agreement.

15.2 If a user does not agree to this Agreement, that user must not participate in SmartShell-based transactions on the Fisheez platform.

Questions about this document? Email support@fisheez.com.