Terms and Conditions

1. Scope of the Platform

Stronghold is a distribution platform and label dedicated to underground metal, offering limited-edition CDs, vinyls, cassettes, t-shirts, patches, and other merchandise. Integrated with Web3 and blockchain technology, Stronghold enables purchases using cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) and offers exclusive NFT collectibles tied to releases. The platform supports the underground metal community by directly empowering artists and delivering relics to the global horde.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Stronghold, you agree to these Terms and represent that you:

• Possess a valid Web3 wallet for cryptocurrency transactions and NFT interactions.
• Will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and these Terms.
• Acknowledge that blockchain transactions may incur gas fees, payable to the blockchain network and not to Stronghold.
• Are solely responsible for securing your Web3 wallet, private keys, and any associated accounts.
• Understand that purchases and NFT minting are subject to stock availability and blockchain network conditions.

3. Purchases and Payments

Stronghold offers physical and digital products for purchase, including CDs, vinyls, cassettes, merchandise, and NFT collectibles. All transactions are subject to the following terms:

3.1 Payment Methods

• Card Payments via Stripe: We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and other major credit/debit cards through Stripe, a globally trusted payment processor. Stripe is PCI DSS Level 1 certified (the highest security standard) and employs bank-level encryption to protect your payment information. Card payments are processed instantly with 3D Secure authentication support for enhanced fraud protection. We never see, access, or store your card details—all card data is handled exclusively by Stripe on their secure servers.
• Cryptocurrency Payments: We accept USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin) stablecoins on BNB Smart Chain and Polygon networks. Stablecoins maintain a 1:1 value with USD, eliminating price volatility concerns. Crypto payments are processed through audited smart contracts deployed on these networks, with confirmation times of 10-30 seconds (Polygon) or 1-3 minutes (BNB Smart Chain). You are responsible for ensuring sufficient token balance and gas fees (paid in native network tokens like BNB or MATIC) for transaction completion.
• Pricing and Currency: Prices are displayed in USD, EUR, and PLN based on real-time exchange rates. Card payments are charged in your selected currency. Cryptocurrency payments are calculated in USD equivalent at the time of checkout, with the exact token amount displayed before transaction confirmation.

3.2 Order Fulfillment

• Physical Products: Items such as CDs, vinyls, cassettes, t-shirts, and patches are shipped globally, subject to stock availability. Shipping costs and estimated delivery times are displayed at checkout and vary by destination. We partner with trusted carriers to ensure secure delivery, but we are not liable for delays caused by customs, postal strikes, or force majeure events beyond our control.
• Digital Products and NFTs: NFTs and digital collectibles are delivered to your connected Web3 wallet address upon successful payment confirmation. Ensure your wallet supports the blockchain network used (e.g., Ethereum, Polygon) before purchasing.
• Order Confirmation: Upon successful payment, you will receive an order confirmation email (if provided) with transaction details, order number, and estimated delivery timeline for physical products.

3.3 Refunds and Returns

• Physical Products: Due to the limited nature of underground metal releases, all sales are final unless the item is defective, damaged during shipping, or incorrect. If you receive a defective or incorrect product, contact us at [email TBD] within 14 days of receipt with photographic evidence and order details. We will offer a replacement or refund (via original payment method) at our discretion.
• NFTs and Digital Products: All NFT and digital product sales are final and non-refundable once minted or delivered to your wallet, as blockchain transactions are immutable. Ensure you review product details, metadata, and wallet address before completing a purchase.
• Cryptocurrency Refunds: If a refund is approved for a crypto payment, the refund amount will be returned to your originating wallet address in the same token (USDT or USDC) based on the original transaction value in USD. We are not liable for price fluctuations between the purchase date and refund date.
• Card Payment Refunds: Refunds for card payments processed via Stripe will be returned to your original payment method within 5-10 business days, subject to your bank's processing times.

3.4 Payment Risks and Responsibilities

• Cryptocurrency Risks: Blockchain transactions are irreversible and cannot be canceled once confirmed on the network. You are solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy of wallet addresses, token selection (USDT/USDC), and network selection (BNB Smart Chain or Polygon). Stronghold is not liable for losses due to user error, such as sending funds to incorrect addresses, selecting the wrong network, or insufficient gas fees causing transaction failures.
• Gas Fees: Cryptocurrency transactions require gas fees paid to blockchain validators (not to Stronghold). Gas fees vary based on network congestion and are displayed before transaction confirmation. Failed transactions due to insufficient gas fees will not be refunded.
• Card Payment Disputes: For card payment disputes, chargebacks, or fraud claims, contact your card issuer directly. Stronghold will cooperate with Stripe and financial institutions to resolve disputes, but we reserve the right to suspend accounts involved in fraudulent activity or abuse of chargeback policies.
• Price Volatility: Cryptocurrency exchange rates fluctuate. The token amount required for payment is locked at checkout for 15 minutes. If the transaction is not completed within this window, you may need to re-initiate checkout with updated pricing.

4. NFT Collectibles

Stronghold offers exclusive NFT collectibles (e.g., digital artwork, music snippets, virtual concert passes) minted on the blockchain. By minting or purchasing NFTs, you agree to the following:

• Ownership and Use: NFTs confer ownership of a unique digital asset but do not grant intellectual property rights to the associated band or artwork unless explicitly stated.
• Minting Fees: Minting or transferring NFTs may incur gas fees, payable to the blockchain network.
• Non-Commercial Use: NFTs are intended for personal collection and may not be used for commercial purposes without permission from the rights holders.
• Permanence: Blockchain records are immutable. NFTs and associated metadata may persist on the blockchain beyond Stronghold's control.

5. User Conduct

Users must adhere to the following rules when using Stronghold:

• Refrain from engaging in illegal, fraudulent, or malicious activities.
• Respect the intellectual property rights of bands, artists, and other rights holders.
• Avoid submitting content (e.g., reviews, comments) that is defamatory, offensive, or violates the platform's ethos.
• Acknowledge that any user-generated content (e.g., reviews) grants Stronghold a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display within the platform.

Stronghold reserves the right to suspend or terminate access for users who violate these Terms or engage in conduct that harms the platform or its community.

6. Platform Governance

Stronghold, as stewards of the crypt, reserves the following rights:

• To remove or restrict access to any content or user account that violates these Terms, applicable laws, or the platform's underground metal ethos.
• To modify, suspend, or terminate the platform or its services at our discretion, subject to the immutable nature of blockchain records.
• To moderate user-generated content to ensure compliance with intellectual property rights and community standards.

7. Limitation of Liability

• Stronghold provides the platform and its services "as is," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to availability, functionality, or fitness for a particular purpose.
• We are not liable for any damages, losses, or disputes arising from your use of the platform, including those related to purchases, NFT minting, blockchain transactions, or third-party actions.
• The blockchain operates independently of Stronghold. We are not responsible for network failures, gas fee fluctuations, or other blockchain-related issues.
• Stronghold is not liable for delays, damages, or losses during shipping, except in cases of defective or incorrect items.

8. Intellectual Property

• All platform content, including product images and descriptions, is owned by Stronghold or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws.
• Users grant Stronghold a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display user-generated content (e.g., reviews, comments) within the platform.
• NFTs and associated digital assets do not confer ownership of a band's intellectual property unless explicitly authorized by the rights holders.
• Users must ensure their actions do not infringe upon third-party intellectual property rights. Stronghold is not liable for any infringement claims arising from user conduct.

9. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of Poland. Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms or your use of the platform shall be resolved in the courts of Poland. If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

10. Contact and Amendments

• For inquiries, support, or concerns, contact us at [email TBD].
• Stronghold may update these Terms at its discretion. Changes will be effective upon posting to the platform. Continued use constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.