Escrow & Payouts
How Stripe-powered escrow, graduated releases, and creator payouts work.
Escrow Model
When a creator accepts an offer, the total contract value (base pay + all tier bonuses) is charged to the brand's payment method and held in escrow. This protects both parties — creators know the money exists, and brands know it's only released when milestones are verified.
Graduated Release Curve
PROOF uses a 4-phase graduated release system to release escrow funds as milestones are hit:
- 1Phase 1 (20%) — Released when content is posted and base pay conditions are met
- 2Phase 2 (25%) — Released when Tier 1 milestone is reached
- 3Phase 3 (25%) — Released when Tier 2 milestone is reached
- 4Phase 4 (30%) — Released when Tier 3 milestone is reached
If a creator doesn't hit all tiers, unreleased funds are automatically refunded to the brand after the measurement window closes.
Creator Payouts
Creators receive payouts through Stripe Express accounts. When a milestone release is triggered, the funds are transferred instantly to the creator's connected bank account.
Creators can view their earnings breakdown on the Earnings page, which shows per-contract amounts, payout history, and pending escrow.