Terms of Service

Last updated on 16 December 2025.

Please read these Terms of Service carefully before using our Website.

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website (https://handshake.finance) (“Website”), our online platform, and any other related services operated by Handshake Technologies Pte. Ltd. (UEN 202424769C) (“Handshake”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) providing online escrow services (the “Platform” and collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing, registering for, or using the Services, you (“you” or the “User”) agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and any other guidelines, policies, or additional terms we may issue from time to time. If you do not agree, you must immediately discontinue use of our Services.

1. Changes to Terms

1. We may amend these Terms from time to time by posting the last updated version on our Website, indicated by the date above. Your continued use of the Website or Services after such update constitutes your acceptance of the amended Terms.

2. We reserve the right to update, modify, suspend, or discontinue the Website or Platform (in whole or in part) at any time. We shall provide reasonable advance notice of material changes affecting ongoing escrow transactions. We may suspend access immediately for security, legal compliance, or operational reasons.

3. You are also responsible for ensuring that all persons who access our Website through your internet connection are aware of these Terms and any other applicable terms, and that they comply with them.

2. Website Access

1. You agree to comply with any and all terms, guidelines, notices, policies, and instructions pertaining to the use and/or access of our Website, as well as any amendments, issued by us, from time to time.

2. You acknowledge and agree that to access and use certain services on our Website (including but not limited to the escrow services), you will be required to register for an account and additionally shall be bound to strictly comply with any other terms and conditions (where applicable) in addition to these Terms.

3. You may not adapt, alter or circumvent the systems or contents in connection with our Website, nor access our Website other than through normal methods. You may not deface, defame, post unlawful content or in any way unlawfully access, block or limit access to our Website.

4. Failure to comply with these Terms may result in our taking of actions we reasonably deem appropriate, including any or all of the following actions:

1. immediate, temporary or permanent withdrawal of your use of our Website;

2. immediate, temporary or permanent withdrawal of your use of your account;

3. issue of a warning to you;

4. issue of legal proceedings against you (including, but not limited to, damages and reasonable administrative and legal costs) resulting from your non-compliance; and/or

5. disclosure of such information to law enforcement authorities and any other authorities in any country.

5. We are not liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes outside our reasonable control, including acts of God, power failures, cyberattacks, bank disruptions, or regulatory action.

3. Escrow Services

1. We act solely as an independent escrow agent. Our Website shall not constitute us providing advice, recommendations, or opinions regarding the underlying transactions or the commercial merits of any underlying arrangement.

2. Our escrow services are conducted in accordance with Singapore law. You acknowledge that escrow services may be subject to regulatory requirements including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.

3. To use our escrow services, you must complete our business account registration process, which may include identity verification, primary contact information, and source of funds documentation as required by applicable law.

4. We are not a licensed financial institution and do not hold any licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Ministry of Law, or other regulatory authorities in Singapore.

5. All client funds are held in segregated accounts maintained with MAS-licensed banking institutions in Singapore. These arrangements are designed to ensure client fund protection and compliance with applicable banking and anti-money laundering regulations.

4. Intellectual Property and Use Restrictions 

1. Except as otherwise provided, the contents of this Website shall not be reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted or otherwise distributed in any way, without our prior written permission.

2. You must not use any part of the contents of our Website for commercial purposes without obtaining a licence to do so from us or our licensors.

3. Modification of any of the contents or use of the contents on our Website for any other purpose will be a violation of each respective owner’s copyright and other intellectual property rights as well as a breach of the applicable laws. Graphics and images on this Website are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced or appropriated in any manner without the written permission of their respective copyright owners.

4. If you copy or download any part of our Website in breach of these Terms, your access to our Website will be terminated immediately and you must, at our option, return or destroy any copies of the contents you have made.

5. Liability Disclaimer 

1. The contents of this Website are provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law:

1. we shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive damages; and

2. we shall not be liable for losses arising from third-party actions, system failures beyond our control, or your failure to follow our instructions.

2. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any damage or loss of any kind, howsoever caused as a result (indirect or direct) of the use of this Website, including but not limited to any damage or loss suffered as a result of reliance on the contents from our Website.

3. The contents of this Website do not constitute financial, legal or other professional advice. If financial, legal or other professional advice is required, services of a competent professional should be sought.

4. You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform to access our Website. You should use your own virus protection software.

5. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our Website, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the contents on our Website are accurate, complete, up-to-date, or suitable for you.

6. You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

1. your use of the services;

2. your breach of these Terms;

3. disputes with other users or parties; and

4. your violation of applicable law.

6. Third-Party Websites and Content

1. Where our Website contains links to other websites and resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for your information only. Such links shall not be interpreted as approval or endorsement by us of those linked websites or information you may obtain from them. We have no control over the contents of those websites or resources. When you click on a third-party link, you will leave our Website. Any personal data you submit on the resulting site will not be collected or controlled by us but will be subject to the privacy policy or terms of use of the resulting site.

2. Our Website may contain third party content, including but not limited to [comments and articles posted by third parties, the content of advertisements posted by third parties, applications posted by third parties and content accessed through such applications]. You agree that we shall not be responsible or liable for any third-party content on our Website or your access or use of any third-party content on our Website.

7. Personal Data

1. Your personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

2. By using our Services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data as described in our Privacy Policy and as required for escrow services, regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention.

8. Linking Our Website

1. You may not establish a link to the home page or to any other page on our Website without our express written consent. Even if consent is provided, you may only establish a link to the home page or to any other page on our Website in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it.

2. You must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement on our part where none exists.

3. We reserve the right to withdraw linking permission without notice.

9. Governing Law

1. These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore. 

2. In the event of any dispute, controversy, or claim (“Dispute“) arising out of or in connection with these Terms, the disputing party shall give the other party written notice of the nature and particulars of the Dispute (“Dispute Notice”).  

 

3. Within seven (7) days after receipt of a Dispute Notice, each party shall appoint a representative with the authority settle the Dispute shall meet and consult and negotiate in good faith with a view of reaching an amicable resolution.   

4. If the Dispute has not been resolved within thirty (30) days after the date of the Dispute Notice, or within such other period as the parties may agree in writing, either Party may refer the Dispute to mediation. 

5. The parties shall submit the unresolved Dispute to mediation which may be conducted virtually or in person, at a venue mutually agreed upon by the parties. Unless otherwise agreed, mediation shall be administered in accordance with the mediation rules of the Singapore Mediation Centre (“SMC”) or any other mutually agreed mediation provider. 

6. The mediation shall be conducted in Singapore and in the English language. Any settlement reached at such mediation shall be final and binding upon the Parties and may be recorded in writing and signed by both parties. Such a signed settlement agreement shall be enforceable as a contract and may, with the consent of the parties, be recorded as a consent judgment of the Singapore courts. 

7. If the Dispute is not resolved through mediation within forty-five days (45) from the date it is first submitted to the SMC, or such longer period as the parties may agree in writing, the Dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC Rules”) for the time being in force, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference in this clause. 

10. General

1. A failure by us to exercise or enforce any rights conferred upon us by these Terms shall not be deemed to be a waiver or variation of any such rights or operate so as to bar the exercise or enforcement thereof at any subsequent time or times.

2. If any provision of these Terms is held to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severed and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of these Terms shall not be affected.

3. A person who is not a party to these Terms shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 2001 of Singapore to enforce any of these Terms, and the application of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 2001 of Singapore is expressly excluded.

4. You agree that we can assign or transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms to any other party. You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms to anyone else.