Why Vendor Verification Matters
The quality of vendors determines the quality of a marketplace. TorZon's verification process combines cryptographic proof (PGP), economic stake (bond), and progressive reputation building (tier system) to produce a vendor ecosystem with measurably better outcomes than platforms relying on single-factor screening.
The Three-Stage Process
Stage one is PGP verification: applicants sign a challenge with a 4096-bit RSA or Ed25519 key. This proves cryptographic competence and secures the account against password-only access. Stage two is the bond payment (currently 0.15 XMR) — an economic stake that disincentivises low-effort fraud. Stage three is the trial period: new vendors display a visible 'New Vendor' badge on all listings, signalling to buyers to apply additional caution for first orders.
Progressive Tier Advancement
Vendors advance through Standard (50+ transactions), Gold (200+ transactions, 98%+ rating), and Platinum tiers (500+ transactions, 99%+ rating, 12+ months continuous operation). Each tier brings additional marketplace privileges and trust signals. Platinum vendors are eligible for Finalize Early orders, representing the highest trust level achievable. The progression takes a minimum of 12 months even for the highest-volume vendors, preventing rapid tier-farming through artificial transactions.