> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://maplefun.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://maplefun.gitbook.io/docs/risks-and-community/risks.md).

# Risks

## Risks

Maple.fun is non-custodial, on-chain software. Your tokens, your wallet, your responsibility. Crypto has sharp edges, and pools are no exception. Here's the honest rundown.

***

## What Could Go Wrong

**Solana Being Solana**

Network congestion can spike transaction fees or slow things down. RPC nodes sometimes hiccup, causing temporary delays or stale data in the UI. Your on-chain balances are always the truth, don't panic if the interface lags behind.

**Weird Tokens**

Not all SPL tokens behave the same. Some have transfer fees, freeze authorities, or other extensions baked in. These quirks can affect how deposits and withdrawals actually play out. If a token looks exotic, treat it that way.

**Pool Settings**

Every pool has its own rules: fees, cooldowns, penalties, reserve ratios. A pool with aggressive settings might sting you on early withdrawals or block large exits entirely. The creator configured it, and the contract enforces it. No exceptions.

**Pool Value Can Drop**

This is the big one. Pools can lose value. Market swings, weak reward sources, token depreciation, a pool that dries out. Any of these can leave you with less than you put in. Maple doesn't guarantee rewards and can't protect you from markets doing market things.

**Your Own Mistakes**

Wrong network, wrong address, not enough SOL for fees, clicking too fast. Classic self-inflicted wounds. The blockchain doesn't have an undo button.

***

## What Maple Does About It

The protocol has some built-in guardrails:

**Non-custodial by design.** Your wallet, your keys. Maple never holds your tokens.

**Everything on-chain.** Pool parameters are public and verifiable. No hidden fees, no secret rules.

**Reserve ratio gates.** Large withdrawals can't drain a pool below its safety buffer.

**Loss-cap pause.** If a pool's exchange rate craters beyond its configured threshold, it auto-pauses until the principal reviews and unpauses.

**Non-transferable shares.** You can't sell or move your pool shares. This keeps the cooldown and penalty math clean and predictable.

***

## How to Protect Yourself

**Start small.** Toss in a test amount, try a withdrawal, see how it feels before committing real money.

**Read the pool params.** Fees, cooldown periods, fast-exit penalties, reserve ratios. It's all there. Look at it.

**Watch the clock.** Withdrawing right after depositing usually costs extra. Patience pays.

**Spread it around.** Don't dump everything into one pool or one token.

**Double-check addresses.** Use explorer links from your wallet. Compare against the official contract addresses.

**Keep SOL on hand.** Every Solana transaction needs a bit of SOL for fees. Don't strand yourself.

**Guard your keys.** If someone asks for your seed phrase, they're trying to rob you.

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## When Things Look Broken

**"Fees are way higher than I expected."** You're likely inside the cooldown or fast-exit window. Wait it out and the penalty drops.

**"The USD values look wrong."** Price feeds can lag. Your on-chain token balance is what matters.

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## Before You Deposit

* Verified the pool address on a block explorer
* Checked the fees, cooldown, fast-exit floor, and reserve ratio
* Have enough SOL for transaction fees
* Understand any quirks of the token I'm depositing
* Comfortable losing this amount if everything goes sideways

***

## Terms of Use

By using Maple.fun, you accept the following:

**No liability.** The protocol is provided as-is. Maple.fun and its contributors aren't responsible for losses from market conditions, bugs, or user errors.

**Your compliance.** You're responsible for following the laws in your jurisdiction.

**Your risk.** You've read the above. You know pools can lose value. You're choosing to participate anyway.

**Things change.** The protocol and these terms may evolve. Check back occasionally.