> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vault.ky/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vault.ky/getting-started/what-is-vault.md).

# What is Vault?

Vault is a decentralized crowdfunding platform built around on-chain escrow on Solana. A campaign raises funds toward a defined goal and deadline. At the deadline, the outcome is decided by the protocol's rules — not by Vault's discretion, and not by the campaign creator.

There are two sides to every campaign:

* **Creators** define what they are raising for, a funding goal in SOL, and a deadline. Once the campaign is created, those terms are locked and cannot be changed.
* **Contributors** send SOL into the campaign's own escrow account. If the campaign succeeds, that money is used to fulfill the campaign's stated purpose. If it fails, refunds are processed automatically.

## The core idea: escrow, not trust

Traditional crowdfunding asks you to trust an intermediary to hold funds and honor the outcome. Vault replaces that trust with escrow that anyone can inspect.

Your contribution goes into a campaign-specific escrow account on Solana. It does not go to the campaign creator, and it does not sit in a Vault company wallet. The escrow address is public, so you can verify the balance yourself on any Solana block explorer at any time.

The rules that decide what happens to that money — the goal, the deadline, the fee rates — are fixed when the campaign is created.

## What Vault is not

* **Not a custodian of your wallet.** You hold your own keys. Vault never asks for a seed phrase, recovery phrase, or private key.
* **Not a guarantor of outcomes.** Vault's escrow protects the funding process. It does not guarantee the legitimacy, performance, or conduct of any project, creator, or beneficiary.
* **Not a multichain custody system.** Campaigns can display project identity from several blockchain ecosystems, but every campaign is funded in SOL and every escrow account lives on Solana. There is no bridge.
* **Not an account-based platform.** There is no Vault account, no email signup, and no registration. Browsing and submitting a campaign require no wallet at all.

## What you need

To browse campaigns or submit a campaign request, you need nothing.

To contribute, you need a Solana wallet and SOL. Contributions are always in SOL.


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