Non-custodial conditional payments
A non-custodial escrow alternative for B2B services
Set clear payment conditions for business services without asking Covalt to take custody of client money. The configured payment rails handle the transaction.
No outcome, no fee. The stated Covalt Work platform fee is 3.5% when the agreed outcome lands. Covalt is non-custodial; configured payment rails process authorisation, capture and payout.
The difference
From payment friction to agreed conditions.
The old way
- Traditional escrow can introduce a separate custodian, onboarding steps and release administration.
- A payment may be detached from the evidence that was supposed to trigger it.
- Both sides can end up negotiating what was agreed after the work is delivered.
The Covalt Work way
- Create a direct Pact between the client and provider.
- Bind the agreed conditions and evidence to the transaction record.
- Authorisation and settlement run through configured payment rails; Covalt does not hold funds.
Explore the flow
A three-stage non-custodial flow
The exact authorisation and settlement sequence depends on the payment rail and Pact configuration. This diagram describes the intended control flow, not a guarantee of instant settlement.
01 / 03
Authorise
The selected payment provider handles authorisation under its own rules.
02 / 03
Verify evidence
Submitted evidence is compared with the conditions recorded in the Pact.
03 / 03
Rail settlement
When transaction rules are satisfied, settlement proceeds through the configured rail.
Questions, answered
Before you start a Work Pact
Is Covalt Work an escrow service?
No. Covalt is non-custodial and does not hold client funds as an escrow agent. Payment authorisation, capture and payout are performed by the configured payment providers under their terms.
Does non-custodial mean there is no payment risk?
No payment arrangement removes all risk. Provider rules, authorisation expiry, chargebacks, FX, corridor availability and disputes may still affect a transaction. Review the specific Pact and payment-rail terms.
Does Covalt Work hold client funds?
No. Covalt is non-custodial: it records the Pact, agreed conditions and outcome. Authorisation, capture and payout are handled by the configured regulated payment rails; availability and timing depend on the transaction and corridor.
What happens if a milestone is disputed?
The Pact keeps the agreed conditions and submitted evidence together so the parties can review the same record. Sonar and Guard Dog can provide matching and risk signals where configured; they are not a court, arbitrator or substitute for an agreed dispute process. A disputed outcome should follow the terms agreed by the parties and any applicable rail procedures.
Which payment rails can I use?
Available rails and settlement corridors depend on the parties, currency, transaction and current provider support. The available option is confirmed during setup; do not assume every rail or country is supported for every Pact.
Put the conditions in writing before work begins.
Use the existing wizard to define the parties, project value, milestones, completion conditions and evidence.
Start a Work Pact