> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://base-zap.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How BaseZap Works: USDC Tips Settled on Base Mainnet

> Understand the end-to-end flow of a BaseZap tip — from entering a username to funds settling in the recipient's wallet on Base in ~2 seconds.

When you send a tip through BaseZap, the entire flow — from identity lookup to on-chain settlement — happens in a single, continuous sequence that takes about two seconds. BaseZap reads the recipient's wallet address from their Farcaster profile, constructs a USDC transfer on Base Mainnet, and asks you to approve it in your wallet. Once you confirm, the transaction is broadcast directly to the Base network. No intermediary holds your funds at any point: the USDC moves from your wallet to the recipient's wallet in a single on-chain step.

## Step-by-Step Flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Recipient lookup">
    You enter a Farcaster username or paste a cast link. BaseZap resolves the identity against the Farcaster protocol and retrieves the wallet address associated with that account. The recipient's profile is displayed for you to confirm before proceeding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Amount selection">
    You choose a tip amount — either a preset ($0.10, $0.50, $1, $5) or a custom value. BaseZap calculates the 2% platform fee in real time and shows you the exact amount the recipient will receive before you commit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wallet approval">
    You click **Connect & Tip**. BaseZap constructs a USDC transfer transaction on Base Mainnet and sends it to your connected wallet for signing. Nothing is broadcast until you approve.
  </Step>

  <Step title="On-chain settlement">
    Once you confirm, the signed transaction is submitted to Base Mainnet. Base's \~2 second block time means the transaction reaches finality almost immediately. The 2% platform fee is deducted at this step and routed to the BaseZap fee wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Recipient receives USDC">
    The net USDC amount (98% of your tip) lands in the recipient's wallet on Base Mainnet. They can use, transfer, or bridge those funds at any time — no claiming step required.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Settlement Details

| Detail              | Value                         |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| **Chain**           | Base Mainnet                  |
| **Token**           | USDC                          |
| **Settlement time** | \~2 seconds                   |
| **Network fee**     | \<\$0.01                      |
| **Platform fee**    | 2% (deducted before delivery) |

## What Happens to the Fee

BaseZap charges a flat 2% platform fee on every tip. This fee is deducted from your tip amount before the remainder is sent to the recipient — so if you tip $1.00, the recipient receives $0.98 and \$0.02 goes to the platform fee wallet.

The fee is routed on-chain to a publicly verifiable address:

```
0x7845D45d9E53268EBFf3C4a9daBb994cE5b93918
```

You can verify all fee transactions on Basescan:

[View fee wallet on Basescan →](https://basescan.org/address/0x7845D45d9E53268EBFf3C4a9daBb994cE5b93918)

Because everything happens on a public blockchain, every fee collection is auditable by anyone at any time — no trust required.

<Note>
  BaseZap never holds your funds. The moment you confirm, USDC transfers directly from your wallet to the recipient's wallet on-chain.
</Note>

## Optional: VVV Staking

In addition to USDC tipping, BaseZap includes an optional VVV staking feature at [basefarcaster.vercel.app/stake](https://basefarcaster.vercel.app/stake). VVV is the token that powers the Venice AI ecosystem. The staking flow is entirely separate from tipping and involves two steps — **Approve** and **Stake** — both of which you sign in your own wallet. Like tipping, staking is fully non-custodial: BaseZap never holds your VVV tokens.

## Leaderboard

BaseZap maintains a live leaderboard with two views: **Top Senders** (accounts that have tipped the most) and **Top Earners** (accounts that have received the most). All leaderboard data is derived directly from on-chain transactions — every entry links to the corresponding Basescan address for full transparency.