1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website at https://ascend.finance and the Ascend Protocol liquid staking interface (collectively, the “Interface”) operated by Upsteak Tech S.A., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama (“Ascend,” “we,” “us”). Please also read our Privacy Policy.

By clicking “I Agree,” checking the acceptance box, or otherwise accessing or using the Interface, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Interface.

2. Modifications

We may modify these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms on the Interface or by other reasonable means. Modifications are effective upon posting unless otherwise stated. Your continued use of the Interface after any modification constitutes acceptance. We may also modify, suspend, or discontinue the Interface at any time without notice or liability.

3. Eligibility; Sanctioned Persons and Jurisdictions

By using the Interface, you represent, warrant, and agree that:

1. You are at least eighteen (18) years of age and have legal capacity to enter binding contracts;
2. You are not a citizen, resident, national, or agent of any country, state, territory, or jurisdiction subject to comprehensive economic or trade sanctions administered or enforced by the United States, the European Union or its member states, the United Kingdom, or the United Nations, or any jurisdiction where access to or use of the Interface would be illegal or otherwise violate applicable law (each, a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”);
3. You are not identified as a Specially Designated National or Blocked Person by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), listed on any equivalent sanctions list maintained by the European Union, the United Kingdom, or the United Nations Security Council, or otherwise the subject of any economic, trade, or financial sanctions administered or enforced by any governmental authority (each, a “Sanctioned Person”), and you are not acting on behalf of a Sanctioned Person;
4. You are not in contravention of any laws or regulations pertaining to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, or the prevention of financial crime;
5. You do not use any VPN, proxy, or anonymization tool to circumvent geographic restrictions or disguise your location; and
6. Your use of the Interface complies with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction, including laws governing digital assets. You will immediately cease using the Interface if any of the above representations cease to be true.

4. The Interface and Ascend Protocol

4.1 Protocol Description

The Ascend Protocol is a decentralized, non-custodial liquid staking protocol deployed on 0G Chain (the “Protocol”). The Protocol enables users to stake 0G tokens with validator node operators and receive a0G liquid staking tokens (“a0G”) representing their proportional interest in the Protocol’s aggregated staking pool. The Interface is a front-end convenience layer for interacting with the Protocol’s deployed smart contracts; it is not the Protocol itself. Ascend does not operate, manage, or directly control the 0G Chain validators or the Protocol’s smart contracts, which execute autonomously on-chain.

4.2 a0G Liquid Staking Token

Upon staking 0G tokens, the Protocol’s smart contracts issue a0G tokens at the then-current exchange rate. The a0G-to-0G exchange rate increases over time as staking rewards accumulate; the amount of 0G redeemable per a0G may be greater at redemption than at staking. The exchange rate may decrease in the event of a slashing event. The a0G tokens are: (a) a technical on-chain representation of staking participation, not a security, investment contract, fund unit, or regulated financial instrument in any jurisdiction; (b) not a claim, liability, or debt of Ascend; (c) not a guarantee of any reward, return, or yield; and (d) not legal tender. The characterization of a0G may differ under the laws of different jurisdictions. You are responsible for compliance with applicable law in your jurisdiction.

5. Wallet; Non-Custodial Access

To use the Interface, you must connect a compatible self-custodial digital asset wallet (“Wallet”). You represent that you are the sole lawful owner of the Wallet and all digital assets in it, have full authority to connect the Wallet and authorize transactions, and accept sole responsibility for all activity initiated from your Wallet.

Ascend does not at any time hold custody of, control, or have access to any digital assets in your Wallet, including any 0G or a0G tokens. You are solely responsible for the security of your private keys and seed phrases. Ascend cannot reverse, cancel, or modify any transaction once submitted to 0G Chain. We may screen wallet addresses against sanctions lists and third-party risk databases and may restrict access to any address associated with a Sanctioned Person or elevated risk profile.

6. Staking, Unstaking, and Fees

To stake 0G tokens, submit a staking transaction via the Interface. Upon on-chain confirmation, the Protocol issues a0G tokens at the then-current exchange rate. All staking transactions are irreversible once submitted.

To redeem your staked position, submit an unstaking request. Your a0G tokens will be burned and your 0G tokens will enter an unbonding period of approximately 22 days. During unbonding, your 0G tokens earn no rewards, are not accessible or transferable, and remain subject to slashing. Ascend does not control the unbonding period, which is a 0G Chain network parameter subject to governance change.

The Protocol charges a fee on staking rewards, automatically applied before rewards are added to the staking pool and reflected in the a0G exchange rate. The current fee rate is published on the Interface and may be modified upon notice. You are solely responsible for all network gas fees. Third-party protocols charge their own fees for which Ascend is not responsible.

7. Rewards and Incentive Programs

Holders of a0G may earn staking rewards derived from 0G Chain’s proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, reflected in the increasing a0G-to-0G exchange rate. Ascend does not guarantee any specific reward rate. Rewards are subject to 0G Chain network parameters, validator performance, slashing, and Protocol fees.

Ascend may offer points, loyalty, or tiered incentive programs (“Incentive Programs”), including the Ascend Points program and third-party programs such as those operated by Symbiotic. Points have no guaranteed monetary value and are not a financial instrument, currency, or property right. Points are non-transferable unless expressly enabled. The terms, accrual rate, and redemption mechanics of any Incentive Program may be modified or discontinued by Ascend at any time with or without notice. Ascend makes no commitment regarding the future value, utility, or convertibility of any Points. Third-party Incentive Programs are operated and governed exclusively by the relevant third party; Ascend makes no representations regarding their availability or value and assumes no liability for any loss arising from your participation in them.

8. Validators

The Protocol delegates aggregated staked 0G to professional validator node operators. Validator node operators are independent parties, not agents or employees of Ascend. Ascend does not guarantee any validator’s performance, uptime, or security.

9. Third-Party Services

The Interface may display or allow interaction with third-party DeFi protocols, decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, and other applications (“Third-Party Protocols”), including Jaine, Zerrow, Zia TradeGPT, Morpho, and others. Listing any Third-Party Protocol on the Interface is not an endorsement by Ascend. Ascend does not control, audit, or accept responsibility for any Third-Party Protocol, wallet provider, or the 0G Chain network. Your use of any Third-Party Protocol is at your own risk and subject to that protocol’s own terms. Ascend is not liable for any loss arising from your use of any Third-Party Protocol.

10. Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

1. violate any applicable law, regulation, or sanctions program, including OFAC regulations and anti-money laundering or counter-terrorism financing laws;
2. access or use the Interface as a Sanctioned Person or from a Sanctioned Jurisdiction;
3. use any VPN, proxy, or anonymization tool to circumvent geographic or access restrictions;
4. engage in wash trading, market manipulation, front-running, or any deceptive financial activity;
5. probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Interface, Protocol smart contracts, or related infrastructure;
6. use the Interface for money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion, or any other illicit purpose;
7. reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any component of the Interface (except as permitted by applicable law);
8. introduce any virus, malware, or other harmful code; or
9. encourage or enable any other person to do any of the foregoing.

11. Intellectual Property; Termination

The Interface and all content, features, designs, logos, trademarks, and software (“Ascend Materials”) are owned by or licensed to Ascend and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on Ascend Materials without prior written consent. If you provide feedback or suggestions, you grant Ascend a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use such feedback for any purpose without restriction. To the extent any applicable open-source license expressly conflicts with these Terms, the open-source license governs with respect to the applicable component.

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Interface at any time for any reason, including reasonable belief that you have violated these Terms or are a Sanctioned Person, without prior notice or liability. Termination does not affect a0G tokens you hold (which are governed by the Protocol’s smart contracts) or any rights and obligations accrued before termination. Sections 4.2, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 survive termination.

12. Disclaimers; Risk Acknowledgments

THE INTERFACE AND THE ASCEND PROTOCOL ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ASCEND DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ACCURACY. ASCEND DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE INTERFACE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, THAT ANY STAKING REWARDS WILL ACCRUE AT ANY PARTICULAR RATE, THAT a0G TOKENS WILL MAINTAIN ANY PARTICULAR VALUE, THAT THE PROTOCOL SMART CONTRACTS ARE FREE FROM BUGS OR EXPLOITS, THAT THE 0G CHAIN NETWORK WILL OPERATE FREE FROM DISRUPTION OR FAILURE, OR THAT THE INTERFACE IS LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE IN YOUR JURISDICTION. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT FULLY APPLY TO YOU.

By accessing the Interface, you acknowledge and accept the following risks:

1. Smart Contract and Technology Risk: The Protocol operates via smart contracts that may contain bugs, vulnerabilities, or be subject to malicious exploits, resulting in partial or total loss of staked 0G or a0G tokens. The 0G Chain network is novel and evolving; upgrades, forks, governance decisions, or network failures may adversely affect the Protocol or Interface availability. Ascend is not responsible for smart contract failures or network disruptions.
2. Liquidity Risk: During the unbonding period, your 0G tokens are illiquid and earn no rewards. No guarantee exists that a liquid secondary market for a0G tokens will be available at any time.
3. Regulatory Risk: The regulatory treatment of liquid staking and digital assets is evolving. Future regulatory actions may restrict or prohibit use of the Interface, Protocol, or a0G tokens, impose tax obligations, or adversely affect your participation. You are solely responsible for compliance with applicable law.
4. Market and No-Advice Risk: 0G and a0G tokens may be highly volatile and you may lose some or all of your digital assets. Nothing on the Interface constitutes financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Ascend is not a broker, dealer, investment adviser, exchange, or financial institution. Data displayed on the Interface (including APY figures and exchange rates) is informational only and may be inaccurate, delayed, or subject to manipulation.

13. Fiduciary Duty Disclaimer

Ascend is not a fiduciary. Nothing in these Terms or on the Interface creates any fiduciary, advisory, agency, or trust relationship between you and Ascend. Ascend does not act in your best interests, does not owe you any duty of care, loyalty, disclosure, or candor beyond what is expressly required by applicable law, and does not provide personalized financial, investment, or legal guidance of any kind. All decisions regarding staking, unstaking, use of a0G tokens, and interaction with Third-Party Protocols are made solely by you, at your own risk, based on your own independent judgment. Ascend’s provision of the Interface is as a neutral, non-custodial technology operator, not as an adviser, manager, or steward of your assets.

14. Indemnification

You will indemnify, defend (at Ascend’s option), and hold harmless Ascend and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Ascend Parties”) from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, fines, and costs (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to: (i) your access to or use of the Interface or Protocol; (ii) your a0G tokens or transactions conducted through the Protocol; (iii) your violation of these Terms; (iv) your violation of any applicable law or third-party right; (v) any fraud or willful misconduct by you; or (vi) your use of a0G tokens in any Third-Party Protocol. You will not settle any indemnified claim without Ascend’s prior written consent.

15. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE ASCEND PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUES, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF DIGITAL ASSETS, LOSS OF STAKING REWARDS, SMART CONTRACT FAILURES, OR SLASHING LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE INTERFACE OR PROTOCOL, REGARDLESS OF LEGAL THEORY AND WHETHER OR NOT ASCEND WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

THE ASCEND PARTIES’ TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING UNDER THESE TERMS SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) USD ONE HUNDRED (USD 100.00); or (B) THE TOTAL PROTOCOL FEES PAID BY YOU IN THE THREE (3) MONTHS PRECEDING THE FIRST EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT PERMIT EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

16. Dispute Resolution

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY — IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT AND TO HAVE DISPUTES DECIDED BY A JUDGE OR JURY.

16.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal dispute resolution, you agree to contact Ascend at legal@ascend.finance and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days. Both parties agree to negotiate in good faith.

16.2 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Interface, the Protocol, or a0G tokens (a “Dispute”) shall be finally resolved by binding arbitration administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) in accordance with the ICC Rules of Arbitration then in effect. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator with experience in commercial disputes involving digital assets or financial services. The seat of arbitration shall be Panama City, Republic of Panama. The language of arbitration shall be English. Costs shall be allocated per the ICC Rules, subject to the arbitrator’s authority to award costs to the prevailing party. The award shall be final, binding, and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

16.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND ASCEND AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims. If this provision is found unenforceable, the entirety of Section 16.2 shall be null and void.

16.4 Exceptions; Limitations Period

Either party may seek emergency injunctive or equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent imminent irreparable harm. Any claim must be brought within one (1) year of accrual or it shall be permanently barred.

17. Governing Law

These Terms and any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms, the Interface, or the Protocol shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Panama, without regard to its conflict of law principles, except to the extent that the laws of the seat of arbitration govern the interpretation and enforcement of Section 16. The exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute not subject to arbitration under Section 16 shall be the competent courts of the Republic of Panama.

18. General Terms

18.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any additional terms published on the Interface for specific features or programs, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ascend and supersede all prior agreements relating to the subject matter hereof.

18.2 Severability; Waiver

If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, it shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force. Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver.

18.3 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without Ascend’s prior written consent. Ascend may freely assign these Terms, including in connection with any merger, acquisition, or reorganization.

18.4 Miscellaneous

Notices from Ascend will be posted on the Interface or sent to your registered email; notices to Ascend: legal@ascend.finance. These Terms do not create third-party beneficiary rights, except that the Ascend Parties are intended beneficiaries of the indemnification and limitation of liability provisions. Ascend is not liable for failure or delay resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control. You may not use the Interface from any jurisdiction subject to applicable export controls or embargoes. Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship. These Terms are executed in English; the English version prevails over any translation.

19. Contact

Upsteak Tech S.A.

Email: legal@ascend.finance

© 2026 Upsteak Tech S.A. All rights reserved.