Smart-contract milestone escrow
Release each phase when the milestone clears
Fund the full contract in escrow. Pay out per phase when deliverables — and optional on-chain signals — match what both parties agreed at kickoff.
TXN-77210
Protocol audit — Phase 2
Ethereum · Phase-gated release
Contract value$240,000
| Phase | Amount | On-chain | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope and test plan | $80,000 | Tx confirmed | Released |
| Audit report draft | $80,000 | Attestation pending | In review |
| Final report and fixes | $80,000 | Not started | Pending |
Who it's for
Phased Web3 work that needs custody and proof
Multisig sends and informal milestone chat do not give finance a clean record. Escrow holds the full contract while each phase earns its release.
Web3 development agencies
You ship protocol work in phases. Clients want on-chain traceability; you need funded escrow before each sprint, not a lump-sum wallet send at the end.
DAO and foundation grant programs
Treasury committees approve grants with milestone gates. Each release should match documented deliverables — not an informal multisig vote with no audit trail.
Token projects and launch partners
Vesting, liquidity, and vendor payments often tie to contract deployments. Milestones map to specific on-chain events both sides can verify.
Enterprise blockchain pilots
Legal and finance teams need licensed custody between fiat or stablecoin funding and phased vendor payout, with evidence when a chain milestone clears.
Milestone schedule
Fields to define before funding
Each line should be specific enough to accept or dispute without renegotiating in chat.
| Field | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Phase name and amount | Each milestone has a fixed USD value and deliverable summary on the transaction record. |
| Acceptance criteria | What the buyer must see before approving release — files, deployments, or attestation hashes. |
| On-chain signal | Optional contract address, function call, or transaction hash that marks phase completion. |
| Review window | Days allowed for the buyer to inspect deliverables before auto-release or dispute. |
| Funding method | Wire, ACH, stablecoin, or crypto — full contract amount held in escrow at kickoff. |
Process
Five steps from funded contract to phase payout
The full amount is secured at kickoff. Only approved phases draw from the balance.
- 01
Define phased terms
Buyer and seller agree on milestone amounts, deliverables, acceptance rules, and any on-chain signals before funding.
- 02
Fund the full contract
The buyer deposits the entire contract value into escrow. Each phase draws from the same balance as it is approved.
- 03
Deliver and attest
The seller submits work and, where applicable, links on-chain activity to the milestone record.
- 04
Buyer approves the phase
The buyer reviews deliverables and on-chain evidence during the inspection window, then accepts or disputes.
- 05
Release for that phase
EscrowBolt pays out the milestone amount. Remaining phases stay held until their conditions clear.
On-chain signals
Optional chain evidence per milestone
Not every phase needs a transaction hash. When it does, the signal is named in the schedule before funding.
- Contract deployment
- A milestone completes when the agreed contract is live at the specified address on the named network.
- Transaction hash
- Seller provides a hash for a defined on-chain action — transfer, upgrade, or configuration change.
- Oracle or attestation
- Third-party attestation or signed message referenced on the deal file before release.
- Wallet confirmation
- Token delivery or NFT transfer to the buyer wallet, verified against locked contract and ID.
Protection
Custody for the contract. Control per phase.
Buyer
Full contract funded upfront
The entire amount is in escrow before work starts. You release per phase — not in one irreversible send.
Evidence before each payout
Deliverables and on-chain signals are checked against the milestone you approved at setup.
Disputes hold the phase amount
A contested milestone stays in escrow while both sides submit evidence. Later phases are unaffected until resolved.
Seller
Funded balance visible early
You see the full contract in custody before committing team time across multiple phases.
Predictable phase payouts
Each acceptance triggers a defined amount. No chasing partial payments after delivery.
Record for finance and auditors
Milestone approvals and releases are on one transaction file your team can reconcile.
Open a smart-contract milestone transaction
Define phases, fund the full contract, and release as each milestone clears.