# FAQ

## What products and services does Nous offer?

Rather than offering non-specific portfolio management, we create agency for our users with a suite of distinct investment products. Investors can select from a wide range of market strategies - including but not limited to arbitrage, futures, and bonds - and specify both amount to invest and time until contract end. Users with different needs and risk appetites may feel drawn to different kinds of contract; those looking for longer plays for example, may feel more comfortable with a multi-year bond contract, while others will opt for shorter term strategies with bolder yield predictions. Over time, Nous endeavors to broaden our product offering and hold contracts for every kind of investor, regardless of their liquidity or preference for risk. As of today, Nous offers the following investment products:

* [Smart Bonds](https://nous-systems.gitbook.io/nous-systems/our-products/smart-bonds)

## How do I mint my first contract?

As part of our gitbook we've created an extensive tutorial series to guide users in minting contracts with Nous. Click [here ](https://nous-systems.gitbook.io/nous-systems/guides-and-tutorials/getting-started-with-nous)to get started.

## How much does it cost to use Nous' platform?

Our fee model is divided between management fees, which are taken right after funds are deposited, and performance fees, which are taken at contract end. Fees support our work at Nous Systems to design the best financial solutions for our users.&#x20;

* Users on Nous' whitelist can expect to pay a 1.5% management fee and a 10% performance fee.
* All other users can expect to pay a 2% management fee and a 20% performance fee

In addition to these, all investments are subject to a minimum deposit of $100.

## Can I alter the terms and conditions of my contract to suit my needs?

When you first access our dApp, you'll notice a series of dropdown menus which allow you to tailor your investment to suit your needs. Note that depending on the parameters of your investment, the estimated payout will vary as a rough guide to how we expect your funds to perform. Users may edit their contracts as they see fit and find a payout and timeline which bests suits them.

![A $2500 smart bond contract carries a payout of $3625 in two years](https://2175144503-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2us4FCbVFZR0MoJUbB2h%2Fuploads%2Fc3ReCyAtdxVqdgwKGGGR%2FContract%20eg.png?alt=media\&token=e223c865-d4b2-43f9-a57c-4d05a9fd5973)

## What is delta neutral?

Our biggest priority at Nous is to control risk on behalf of our investors. One of the best ways to do this is through delta neutral - or "market neutral" - investment strategies; covering multiple positions during contract execution to resist unexpected volatility or price fluctuation. Arbitrage trading is a great practical example of this. During arbitrage, our algorithms detect subtle price discrepancies on different exchanges and rapidly buy/sell coin to make a profit. Because price discrepancy is not a reflection of market direction, its possible to benefit this way regardless of market trends. In other words, arbitrage is "neutral" to the lay of the market; if done right, it always comes out on top. You can read more about delta neutral investing [here](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/deltaneutral.asp).

## How can I monitor my contracts with Nous?

Contracts minted with Nous have the same functionality as NFTs - or as we call them NFCs (Non-Fungible Contracts). NFCs grant proprietary tokens to investors which act as a receipt, means to check in on market performance, and cash-out method all out once. These can be found in the "Contracts" section of the Nous dApp after payment is made.

![A Nous branded smart bond NFT](https://2175144503-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2us4FCbVFZR0MoJUbB2h%2Fuploads%2F7icAE0d2jJO5hD1olh8f%2F__next_static_media_smartbond.3348ce1f.png?alt=media\&token=0c83c03b-cb73-4bc2-8e1c-922349ad332f)

## Why should I trust Nous with my funds?

Transparency is at the foundation of Nous' ethos - that's why our entire operation is supported by smart contracts. Smart contracts are programs on the blockchain designed to execute predefined terms and conditions at a fixed time. They are decentralized - meaning they exist in their own right and cannot be influenced by third parties - and transparent, meaning investors can see exactly how their funds are being managed in real time. They also operate on the principle of "cryptographic truth"; the terms and conditions which define a contract are encoded in such a way that there can be no doubt about its functionality. For this reason, users can rest assured that all contracts minted with Nous will pay out on time and in the agreed upon manner.&#x20;
