Applies to: DataFi APIs Marketplace (`datafi-marketplace.com`) and the platform that powers it, including the Platform UI, Admin UI, and BackEndforFrontEnd (BFF).

 

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms. They work together with the [Privacy Policy](./privacy-policy.md) to describe how DataFi ("Data Fidelity") operates the marketplace.

 

 

1. Who's who

- Subscriber — a registered user who finds, subscribes to, and consumes the APIs listed on the Platform.

- Provider — a registered user who lists one or more APIs. You become a Provider simply by onboarding your first API.

Both roles can live on one account.

 

 2. Signing up

- Signing up is free. Every new account is a Subscriber on the Basic platform tier by default.

- You must keep your account information accurate and current, and you're responsible for everything that happens under your account.

- DataFi may suspend or close an account at any time, with or without cause, including for breach of these Terms or applicable law.

 

 3. Subscriptions (what you consume)

- A Subscriber API subscription is your agreement to use a specific API plan (Free, Starter, or Growth) published by a Provider.

- Subscriptions can be grouped into Projects inside your account.

- Paid plans are billed through a prepaid wallet (denominated in NGN). Usage is debited from the wallet in real time — there are no monthend invoices to chase.

- To fund the wallet you use PayStack (card, bank transfer, or USSD). There's a minimum topup of ₦10, and the subscriber pays PayStack's fee.

- If your wallet reaches zero or below on a paid plan, calls through the gateway return HTTP 402 ("Insufficient funds"). Your subscription stays Active — you need to top up before trying again.

- Because every call is metered, you can view usage statements for your API subscriptions.

- Each subscription can generate an API key, shown only once (at creation or regeneration). Copy it somewhere safe at that moment — it can't be shown to you again.

 

 4. Platform tiers (your account)

- Basic (free, MVP) includes browsing/search, registration, subscription management, API key management, a funded wallet, and a default rate limit.

- Professional ($10/month) and Advanced ($30/month) are paid tiers that add extra features (e.g., richer ratelimit controls and provider analytics). They're available after the MVP.

 

 5. Listings & provider APIs

- A Provider publishes API products — their versions, endpoints, security settings, and pricing plans.

- While your API is under Draft, it isn't publicly discoverable. After an admin review, it moves to Published. Deprecated listings stay available to existing subscribers.

- You represent that you own (or control the rights to) the API content, origin servers, and credentials you list, and that you have all necessary rights to provide them.

- Earnings you receive are net of the platform fee, paid monthly in NGN via PayStack Transfer to your verified Nigerian bank account, once a 7day earnings hold period has passed.

- DataFi does not host, run, or maintain your API or your origin servers — it proxies requests to them.

 

 6. API keys & security

- API traffic is authenticated with an API key (`x-api-key`) and, where required, a Firebase ID token.

- Keys are stored hashed at rest. The full key is shown only once; after that it's unrecoverable.

 

 7. Acceptable use

You agree not to: 

- transmit unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, or objectionable content;

- try to gain unauthorised access to the Platform, its systems, or data;

- plug the gateway or any API through the Platform into systems that violate law or these Terms;

- reverseengineer, scrape, or copy the Platform's code, documentation, or proprietary materials;

- otherwise interfere with the operation or security of the Platform.

 

 8. Rates & limits

- Default rate limiting is on for all gateway traffic (60 requests per minute per subscription). Higher or perAPI limits are Professional/Advanced features.

 

 9. Data & privacy

- Using the Platform is subject to the [Privacy Policy](./privacy-policy.md). DataFi collects and processes personal data, account details, usage telemetry, and (for Providers) API content as needed to operate the Platform.

- DataFi owns all rights to the Platform itself (code, docs, infrastructure); Provider content remains the Provider's own.

 

 10. Payments & refunds

- At MVP all money is in NGN; USD prices convert to NGN at a daily rate when usage is priced.

- You agree to pay for all services you use, including any paid platform tier and wallet topups.

- No refunds of unused wallet balance at MVP.

- Payouts to Providers are subject to the earnings hold and PayStack Transfer processing; unpaid balances stay payable on account closure.

 

 11. Termination

- DataFi may suspend or close your access or subscription at any time, with or without cause.

- On termination you must stop using the Platform and any subscription or API key that belonged to you. Outstanding balances remain payable.

 

 12. No warranties

- The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. DataFi doesn't guarantee uninterrupted or errorfree access, or accurate results.

 

 13. Limitation of liability

- To the maximum extent allowed by law, DataFi isn't liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damage, or loss of profits, revenue, or data, arising from your use of the Platform.

- In no event will DataFi's liability exceed the amount you paid DataFi in the three months before the claim.

 

 14. Indemnity

- You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DataFi and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claim, loss, or expense (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your breach of these Terms, or your API content or credentials.

 

 15. Governing law & disputes

- These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which DataFi operates. The Platform's support and escalation process will handle disputes; unresolved matters may be taken to the relevant courts.

 

 16. Changes to these Terms

- DataFi may update these Terms, the Privacy Policy, or the Platform at any time, and will notify you of material changes. Your continued use after changes take effect means you accept the updated Terms.

 

 17. Thirdparty services

- The Platform uses thirdparty services such as PayStack and Firebase, each governed by their own terms. DataFi isn't responsible for thirdparty outages or features.

 

 18. Contact

- Questions? Contact DataFi through the Platform's support channels.

Terms of Service — DataFi APIs Marketplace. Draft 0.1 for use on `datafi-marketplace.com`. Derived from the marketplace documentation (`apis-marketplace-docs`); please have a legal reviewer finalise before going live.