Terms of Service

Last Updated: 3/15/2026

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using TipBolt ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Platform.

TipBolt is a financial intermediary service that enables creators to receive monetary tips from their supporters. By creating an account, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms.

2. Financial Terms

Platform Fee

TipBolt charges a 2% platform fee on all gross tips received. This fee is automatically deducted from each tip before it is added to your balance. The net amount (tip amount minus 2% fee) is what appears in your creator dashboard.

The 7-Day Security Hold

All incoming tips are subject to a mandatory 7-day security hold period. During this time, funds are held in a "Pending\" status to:

  • Verify that the payment has fully cleared through the supporter's bank
  • Protect against credit card fraud and unauthorized transactions
  • Allow time for potential chargebacks or payment disputes to be identified
  • Ensure compliance with payment processing regulations

After 7 days, funds automatically transition from "Pending" to "Available" and become eligible for withdrawal. This is not TipBolt withholding your funds – it is a standard industry practice to protect both creators and the platform from fraudulent activity.

The $20 Withdrawal Threshold

To minimize transaction costs and keep our platform fee at an industry-leading 2%, withdrawals are only permitted once your "Available Balance" reaches $20.00 USD.

Why this threshold exists:

  • Payment processors charge fixed fees per transaction (typically $0.25-$0.50)
  • Without a minimum threshold, these fees could consume 10-25% of small withdrawals
  • The $20 minimum ensures efficient processing while keeping your costs low
  • This allows TipBolt to maintain the lowest platform fee in the industry

When you initiate a withdrawal, your entire Available Balance will be transferred to minimize transaction overhead. Partial withdrawals are not supported.

Chargebacks and Disputes

TipBolt reserves the right to deduct disputed funds from your creator balance in the following situations:

  • Credit card chargebacks initiated by supporters
  • Fraudulent or unauthorized payment activity
  • Payment reversals requested by financial institutions
  • Violations of these Terms of Service

If your balance becomes negative due to chargebacks or fraud, future tips will be applied to the deficit until the balance is restored to zero. You will be notified via email of any chargeback activity.

3. Creator Responsibilities

As a creator on TipBolt, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate and truthful information for your profile and payout details
  • Maintain the security of your account credentials
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction
  • Not engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal activities
  • Not manipulate the platform or attempt to bypass security measures
  • Report any unauthorized account access immediately

4. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited and may result in account suspension or termination:

  • Creating multiple accounts to circumvent withdrawal limits or fees
  • Engaging in self-tipping or coordinated tipping schemes
  • Using stolen or fraudulent payment methods
  • Laundering money or conducting illegal financial transactions
  • Violating intellectual property rights or impersonating others
  • Harassing, threatening, or abusing other users

5. Account Suspension and Review

TipBolt employs automated fraud detection systems to protect the platform and its users. If unusual activity is detected on your account, we reserve the right to:

  • Temporarily freeze withdrawals pending manual review
  • Request additional verification or documentation
  • Suspend or terminate accounts involved in fraudulent activity
  • Report suspected illegal activity to appropriate authorities

Example: If a creator receives more than $500 in tips within one hour, the account may be automatically flagged for review. This protects against stolen credit cards and ensures legitimate transactions.

6. Payment Processing

TipBolt uses Stripe as its payment processor. By using the Platform, you also agree to Stripe'sTerms of Service.

Payouts are processed via Stripe Connect. You must link a valid bank account or debit card to receive funds. TipBolt is not responsible for delays caused by your financial institution or payment processor.

7. Taxes and Reporting

You are solely responsible for determining and paying any applicable taxes on income received through TipBolt. TipBolt may be required to report earnings to tax authorities in accordance with applicable law.

For creators earning more than $600 USD annually, TipBolt will issue a 1099 form (or equivalent) as required by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities.

8. Limitation of Liability

TipBolt provides the Platform "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by law, TipBolt shall not be liable for:

  • Lost profits, revenue, or business opportunities
  • Payment processing delays or failures beyond our control
  • Chargebacks or fraudulent transactions initiated by supporters
  • Technical issues, downtime, or data loss
  • Actions taken by third-party payment processors

9. Termination

You may close your TipBolt account at any time. Upon closure, any Available Balance exceeding the $20 threshold will be paid out according to our standard withdrawal process.

TipBolt reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms of Service, engage in fraudulent activity, or pose a risk to the platform or other users.

10. Changes to Terms

TipBolt reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email and prominently displayed on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

11. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at:

legal@tipbolt.com