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Terms of Service

1. Introduction​

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern the use of Bitlayer’s Bitcoin Layer 2 network and associated services (the “Services”), provided by Bitlayer. By using our Services, you signify your agreement to these Terms, Bitlayer’s Privacy Policy, and any other policies incorporated herein.

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to modify these Terms from time to time. If we make changes, we will provide you with notice of such changes using commercially reasonable means, such as by sending an email, providing a notice through the Website or our Services, or updating the date at the top of these Terms. Unless we say otherwise in our notice, any modifications are effective immediately, and your continued use of the Website or our Services will confirm your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the amended Terms, you must stop using our Services.

2. Description of Services​

Bitlayer provides a Bitcoin Layer 2 solution utilizing BitVM technology to enhance scalability, enable smart contract functionalities, and facilitate secure cross-chain interactions while maintaining the security and decentralization of the Bitcoin network. Our Services include:

  • Bitcoin Layer 2 Network: A scalable and efficient Layer 2 network designed to improve Bitcoin transaction throughput and enable smart contract execution without compromising the security and decentralization of the Bitcoin mainnet.
  • Multi-Virtual Machine Compatibility: Support for multiple virtual machines, including EVM, allowing developers to seamlessly deploy and migrate decentralized applications (dApps) onto the Bitlayer network.
  • Trust-Minimized Cross-Chain Interoperability: Secure and efficient cross-chain asset transfers between Bitcoin and other blockchain networks via the Finality Bridge, ensuring 1:1 asset pegging and integrity.
  • Bitcoin-Native Smart Contracts: A smart contract execution environment that enhances Bitcoin's programmability, supporting DeFi applications, tokenization, and on-chain financial instruments.
  • Decentralized Data Oracles: Access to real-time Bitcoin data feeds, price oracles, and API integrations that provide reliable, on-chain data for decentralized applications and smart contracts.
  • Developer Tools and Ecosystem Growth: A robust suite of developer resources, including SDKs, APIs, grants, and community initiatives to foster innovation within the Bitlayer network.
  • Security and Regulatory Compliance: Implementation of industry-leading security protocols, decentralized verification mechanisms, and compliance tools to safeguard user data and prevent unauthorized activities.
  • Infrastructure and Governance: A decentralized governance model that ensures community participation in network upgrades, decision-making, and protocol improvements.

Bitlayer reserves the right to modify or discontinue any aspect of its Services at its sole discretion and will make reasonable efforts to notify users of significant changes.

3. Your Representations and Warranties; Conditions​

To use the Bitlayer Website or Services, you must have the legal capacity to form a binding contract online, either as an individual in your personal capacity or on behalf of an entity. By accessing or using Bitlayer’s Website or Services, you represent and warrant that:

(1) Age and Legal Capacity: You are at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater) and possess the full right, power, and authority to enter into and comply with the obligations under these Terms.

(2) Authorized Use: You confirm that any account registered in your name will be used solely by you or authorized representatives acting on your behalf, and you will not attempt to access any unauthorized accounts or data within Bitlayer’s systems.

(3) Accuracy of Information: All information you provide to Bitlayer is accurate, current, and complete. You agree to promptly update any information necessary to maintain accuracy and acknowledge that failure to provide accurate information may result in suspension or termination of your account.

(4) Sanctions Compliance: You are not:

  • The subject of economic or trade sanctions administered or enforced by any governmental authority or listed on any prohibited or restricted parties list (including lists maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the European Union, any EU member state, the United Kingdom (including HM Treasury), the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, or the United Nations).
  • A citizen, resident, or organized in a jurisdiction or territory subject to comprehensive sanctions by any of the aforementioned entities.
  • Directly or indirectly controlling any blockchain address listed on a prohibited or restricted parties list.

(5) Prohibited Activities: You will not engage in any activity that could disrupt, damage, or impair Bitlayer’s Services, including but not limited to using automated methods to access data without prior approval, attempting unauthorized access, or engaging in activities that violate the rights of third parties.

(6) Jurisdiction Compliance: You are not a citizen or resident of any jurisdiction where the use of the Website or Services would be illegal or would otherwise violate any domestic or international law, rule, statute, regulation, or directive intended to govern or regulate any person, transaction, or activity relevant to the Website or Services.

(7) Assumption of Risks: You acknowledge that Bitlayer provides data on an “as-is” basis and cannot guarantee data accuracy or security. By using Bitlayer’s Services, you accept the risks associated with data reliance, blockchain interactions, and potential market volatility.

(8) Conditions of Use: Bitlayer’s Services are subject to compliance with these Terms, including respect for intellectual property rights and adherence to usage limits specified in Bitlayer’s API documentation. Breach of these conditions may result in restricted access or account suspension.

4. Eligibility and Account Requirements​

Bitlayer’s Services are available only to users who comply with all applicable laws and who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction. Users must provide accurate information upon registration and update their accounts as needed. Bitlayer reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts for any breach or suspected unauthorized access.

5. Data Accuracy, Reliability, and Liability Disclaimer​

While Bitlayer endeavors to provide accurate and timely data, the complexity of market conditions, technological limitations, or unforeseen external factors may impact data accuracy. All data feeds are provided “as-is” without any warranties regarding accuracy or reliability. Bitlayer disclaims liability for damages resulting from reliance on or use of data provided.

6. License and Use Restrictions​

Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to use Bitlayer’s Services solely for personal or authorized business purposes. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or distribution of Bitlayer’s intellectual property—including data feeds, software, or documentation—is strictly prohibited. Use of the Services must not violate any laws or infringe on the rights of any third party.

7. Fees, Payments, and Refund Policy​

Certain Services or features provided by Bitlayer may be subject to fees. By subscribing to paid Services, users agree to pay all associated fees as indicated on the Bitlayer website or within their account. Fees are non-refundable, except as required by law or as explicitly stated by Bitlayer. Bitlayer may modify its pricing structure, provided that users are notified of any fee adjustments at least 30 days in advance.

8. Intellectual Property Rights​

Bitlayer owns and retains all rights, titles, and interests in its Services, including all content, software, algorithms, and proprietary information. Users may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on Bitlayer’s intellectual property without prior written consent. Any unauthorized use of Bitlayer’s intellectual property constitutes a breach of these Terms.

9. Privacy, Data Security, and Confidentiality​

Bitlayer values user privacy and takes reasonable measures to protect personal information. However, users acknowledge that data transmission over the internet carries inherent security risks, and Bitlayer is not liable for unauthorized access due to circumstances beyond its control. Users are responsible for maintaining confidentiality over account credentials and are prohibited from sharing account information with unauthorized parties.

10. API Access, Rate Limits, and Usage Restrictions​

Bitlayer provides API access for integrating data into third-party applications. API use is subject to rate limits and guidelines provided in Bitlayer’s API documentation. Excessive usage or activities that disrupt Bitlayer’s systems may result in rate limiting, suspension, or termination of access. Users must comply with all API terms to maintain service reliability.

11. User Obligations and Prohibited Activities​

Users agree to refrain from:

  • Engaging in fraudulent activities or attempting to gain unauthorized access.
  • Using Bitlayer’s Services for illegal activities, including money laundering or terrorist financing.
  • Employing bots or automated means to access data without prior written permission.
  • Any activity that disrupts or interferes with Bitlayer’s infrastructure, including DDoS attacks.

12. Disclosures; Disclaimers​

Bitlayer aims to support the use of its Services as a public good but does not operate as an exchange or offer financial execution or clearing services. Accordingly, Bitlayer has no involvement or oversight over any transactions, including Bitcoin or other token transactions. Users are responsible for compliance with applicable laws in their jurisdiction, including those enforced by financial regulatory authorities.
Bitlayer is not registered with or regulated by financial authorities, such as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), nor has any regulatory body reviewed or approved Bitlayer’s services. The Website, Services, and data provided do not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Bitlayer does not function as an investment or commodity trading adviser.
Bitlayer does not own or control the underlying blockchain protocols and is not responsible for their operation, security, or availability. The protocols may be open-source, and Bitlayer makes no warranties regarding the performance or security of any blockchain integrated into its Services. Users are solely responsible for ensuring the correctness of any integrations or configurations they deploy and for verifying the details in any transactions. Bitlayer disclaims liability for losses arising from user errors, incorrect configurations, or third-party software failures.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Bitlayer’s Website and Services are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. Bitlayer disclaims all implied or express warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, and non-infringement. Bitlayer does not warrant that the Website or Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that any issues will be resolved.
Bitlayer is not liable for data loss or corruption due to technical failures, cyberattacks, software issues, protocol changes, maintenance, or events outside its control, including force majeure events or network outages. Where implied warranties cannot be excluded, such limitations shall apply to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law.

Bitlayer and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, including loss of data, revenue, profits, goodwill, or other financial losses, arising from the use of or inability to use Bitlayer’s Website, Services, or related content. Bitlayer disclaims liability for any digital asset transactions, whether on a blockchain or using Bitlayer’s services, and this limitation applies regardless of notification of potential damages.

14. Limitation of Liability​

BITLAYER’s total aggregate liability for claims arising from or related to the use of the Website, Services, or related content shall not exceed the total fees paid by the user to Bitlayer in the twelve (12) months preceding the incident. This limitation applies to all claims under contract, tort, civil liability, or any legal theory, and shall survive the termination of these Terms.

15. Indemnification​

Users agree to indemnify and hold Bitlayer, its affiliates, and employees harmless from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from the use of the Services, violations of these Terms, or infringements on the rights of third parties. Users are responsible for their own compliance with applicable laws and assume liability for any misuse of the Services.

16. Release​

To the fullest extent permitted by law, in consideration of being allowed to use Bitlayer’s Website, Services, and network, you and any organization on whose behalf you use the Website or Services hereby release and forever discharge Bitlayer, its affiliates, and Protected Parties from any claims, disputes, liabilities, or causes of action (including personal injury and property damage) arising directly or indirectly from the use of Bitlayer’s Website or Services, including interactions with other users or third-party services.

17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution​

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Any dispute arising from these Terms or the use of Bitlayer’s Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in the British Virgin Islands. Users waive the right to participate in class action lawsuits.

18. Termination and Suspension of Access​

Bitlayer reserves the right to suspend or terminate user access to its Services for any violation of these Terms or as required to protect the integrity of Bitlayer’s infrastructure. Terminated users are not entitled to refunds. Upon termination, users must cease all use of Bitlayer’s Services and return or destroy any materials obtained under the Terms.

19. Amendments to Terms and Notice of Changes​

Bitlayer may amend these Terms at its discretion. Users will be notified of material changes via email or an in-service notification. Continued use of Bitlayer’s Services following changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. Users are encouraged to review the Terms periodically.

20. Risk Factors​

Users should be aware of the following risks associated with using Bitlayer’s Services. These risks are not exhaustive, and users are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence before using Bitlayer’s Services.

(1) Blockchain and Smart Contract Risks: Bitlayer’s Services support integration with blockchain networks and smart contracts, which may rely on third-party oracles. The security and reliability of external oracles are not guaranteed by Bitlayer, and users should conduct their own due diligence before relying on such data sources. Bitlayer’s Services are intended for use with blockchain networks and smart contracts, which are inherently risky and subject to bugs, hacks, or unforeseen technical issues. Bitlayer does not guarantee the security or reliability of any blockchain or smart contract utilizing third-party oracle data.

(2) System and Network Vulnerabilities: While Bitlayer implements security measures, no online platform is entirely secure. Users accept the risks associated with cyber attacks, data breaches, or network disruptions that could compromise data integrity or access to Bitlayer’s Services.

(3) Legal and Regulatory Risks: Blockchain and cryptocurrency regulations are evolving, and Bitlayer’s Services may be subject to changing laws. Bitlayer disclaims responsibility for compliance with laws applicable to user locations and may discontinue or alter Services in response to regulatory changes.

(4) Operational Risks: Bitlayer’s Services may be affected by operational issues such as maintenance, outages, or service interruptions. Bitlayer endeavors to minimize disruptions but cannot guarantee continuous uptime.

21. Miscellaneous Provisions​

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between Bitlayer and the user, superseding any prior agreements. If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions will continue in effect. Bitlayer’s failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of its rights.