B4. Milestones & Releases
Core Principle
Only proof moves money. Each gate enforces contract-defined requirements. Upon passing, that slice transitions from Locked EDSD to Unlocked EDSD and pays the same day.
Rule: No EMT, no funds.
Summary
Milestones are explicitly defined in the contract (MPA) as verifiable, discrete events.
Proof is independently verified via the Proof-of-Verification (PoV) protocol. If the milestone passes, EDMA mints an EMT for that stage.
The corresponding pre-assigned slice flips from Locked EDSD to Unlocked EDSD and pays immediately.
A short review window allows the buyer to block a release solely when evidence is invalid.
Sellers may assign Locked EDSD to whitelisted partners as funded-on-proof payments; off-platform cash-out is enabled only upon completion of the seller’s schedule.
Protocol fee is pre-paid; 50% of each stage’s fee is burned in EDM at milestone release (caps per tranche apply).
The Milestone Model: Gates & Required Proof
Each trade route selects gates at award. Typical milestones include:
Pre-Ship (Production Proven): Evidence: Third-party inspection (SGS/Intertek/BV) confirming quality/quantity, COA or equivalent, packing/barcode map, and order-matching lot list. Result: PoV verification mints Pre-Ship EMT and releases the prefunded slice (or, in milestone-prefund mode, triggers must-fund top-up before shipment).
On-Board & Sealed (Cargo Confirmed): Evidence: Ocean BL with vessel/voyage, container/seal numbers, seal photo matching packing report, carrier EDI if available. Result: On-Board EMT mints; On-Board slice flips to Unlocked EDSD and pays.
Customs Cleared (Border Passed, Optional): Evidence: Import/export EDI or stamped clearance documents. Result: Customs EMT mints; corresponding slice releases.
Arrival & DC QA (Program Complete): Evidence: DC check-in time/geo, random QA (count, damage, labeling), shelf-life check, cold chain temperature logs. Result: Arrival EMT mints; final slice releases; seller’s off-platform cash-out is enabled (Auto-redeem triggers immediate wire if set).
Cold-chain note: Out-of-range temperature = gate fail by default (unless MPA variance rule applies). No release until condition is satisfied.
How PoV and EMTs Connect the Dots
Source: Real-world event produces evidence (inspection, BL, seal photo, customs, DC receipt, temp logs).
Verify: Independent roles submit/confirm evidence.
Gate: EDMA checks evidence against the MPA checklist.
EMT: Passing gate mints a stage-specific EMT; pre-assigned slice flips to Unlocked EDSD and pays same day.
One-Claim: Prevents duplicate use of the same evidence (e.g., BL + seal) anywhere on EDMA.
Release Timing & Buyer Control
Auto-release is default.
Buyer may set a review window (e.g., up to 4 hours) per gate.
No action: auto-release proceeds.
Block within window: release pauses with stated reason; supplier must correct and resubmit.
EDMA never releases a stage without proof and, in milestone-prefund mode, without top-up present.
Fees & Burns at Each Release
Protocol fee: 0.5% per paid stage, pre-paid at award, with tranche caps (≤$1M: $5k; $1–5M: $25k; >$5M: $50k).
Burn: 50% of stage fee burned in EDM at release (USD payments converted to EDM at milestone). Remaining 50% funds attestors, ops, builders, ecosystem.
Ledger: Fee Ledger reconciles prepaid total → per-stage burn hashes → per-stage treasury releases.
Seller’s Funds: Lifecycle
While Locked: Seller sees Locked EDSD by stage; can assign funded-on-proof EDSD to whitelisted partners (carriers, inspectors, warehouses, OEMs). Assignments settle only when EMT mints. Assignment fee: 1% (ledger-recorded). No off-platform withdrawal until completion.
When Stage Passes: Slice flips to Unlocked EDSD; pays same day. Unlocked EDSD may pay other EDMA invoices but remains platform-bound until schedule completion.
Upon Schedule Completion: Off-platform cash-out is enabled; Auto-redeem triggers bank wire if set. Cash-out fee: 0.5% (ledger-logged).
If a Gate Fails or Evidence is Revoked
Fail now: Stage remains locked, displays issue and remediation steps; funds wait.
Revocation later: Dependent stages freeze until record is clean; already-paid slices remain paid; exception handled via evidence-first dispute path.
Edge Cases
Splits & rollovers: Sub-lots inherit same rule; each passing sub-lot unlocks its slice; others wait.
Date shifts: Amendment rebalances Locked EDSD and updates timelines for all parties.
Pending Funds: If buyer misses top-up, next gate shows Pending Funds and cannot release—even if proof is ready—until top-up arrives.
Plain-Language Promise
Milestones are explicit checklists—not slogans. Buyer funds before shipment, platform enforces contract terms, and funds move strictly on proof. Sellers operate with funded-on-proof assignments; buyers maintain control without communication friction. Every release generates a receipt and public proof page.
No EMT, no funds.
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