# Identity and users

In Trustap, a user represents any individual or business entity participating in a transaction. To ensure complete accountability, every Trustap transaction operates on a strict peer-to-peer model and requires two explicit entities: a buyer and a seller.
Buyers and sellers are added to transactions using their IDs, `buyer_id` and `seller_id`.

While every transaction requires two users, verifying identities upfront slows down onboarding and hurts conversion rates. To protect your user experience, Trustap separates transaction setup from identity verification.
We achieve this by decoupling transaction initiation from full account compliance through two distinct user states: Guest Users and Full Users.

You can launch transactions instantly using frictionless Guest Accounts, and defer the heavy compliance liftoff—onboarding to a Full Account—until the moment money actually needs to leave the ecosystem.

* Buyers can remain guest users for the entire duration of a transaction.
* Sellers can remain guest users initially, but must register as full users to complete KYC and receive their payout.


## Guest vs. Full Users

| Capability | Guest User (ID starts with `1-`) | Full User (UUID format) |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| Onboarding Friction | None (Created silently via API) | Medium (Redirected to Trustap OAuth + KYC) |
| Initiate Transactions | Yes (As Buyer or Seller) | Yes (As Buyer or Seller) |
| Pay for Goods (Buy) | Yes | Yes |
| Receive Payouts (Sell) | No (Funds are held safely by Trustap) | Yes (Requires linked bank account) |


## Integration Blueprints

### Blueprint A: Single-Merchant eCommerce (B2C)

For applications where the merchant/seller is always the same (e.g., a standard brand storefront):

* The Seller. Create one permanent full user account for the merchant. Retain and reuse this ID for all transactions.
* The Buyers. Create a silent Guest User for each buyer at checkout to keep friction at zero.


### Blueprint B: Peer-to-Peer Marketplaces (C2C)

For applications with multiple independent sellers and buyers (e.g., classifieds, ticket exchanges):

* Initial Setup. Create Guest Users for both the buyer and the seller to get the transaction started instantly.
* The Payout. Convert the seller to a Full User when they are ready to be paid out.


## Payouts & KYC (Know Your Customer)

Before Trustap can release funds to a seller's bank account, financial regulations require us to verify their identity. This process is called KYC (Know Your Customer).

Instead of forcing you to build complex document upload forms and secure storage systems, Trustap hosts and manages the entire KYC process. This means sensitive banking and ID data is stored only on Trustap. Data liability and compliance burden is removed from your platform.

### The Payout Onboarding Flow

When you redirect a seller to Trustap to upgrade their account, we securely guide them through two distinct steps:

1. Payout Details. Entering their bank routing/sort codes and account numbers (or IBAN).
2. Identity Verification. Safely collecting and verifying their personal or business documentation depending on their account type.


### KYC Requirements

Verification requirements vary based on whether your seller operates as an individual or a registered business entity.

#### Requirements for Individuals

| Stage | When | Information collected |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| 🟢 Stage 1: Sign-up | Immediately at account creation | Date of birth, home address, phone number, and payout bank account (IBAN/routing number) |
| 🟡 Stage 2: Verification | Progressive. Not required upfront by default. | Government-issued photo ID (Passport, National ID, or Driver's Licence) |


#### Requirements for Companies

| Stage | When | Information collected |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| 🟢 Stage 1: Business Information | Immediately at account creation | Legal business name, registered address, and company registration number |
| 🟡 Stage 2: Key Person Verification | Progressive | Full name, date of birth, home address, and photo ID for each executive, director, and beneficial owner (25%+). Beneficial owners must also sign a UBO declaration. |
| 🔵 Stage 3: Corporate Documents | May be deferred. Not an initial blocker to going live. | Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent founding document |


### How to submit KYC

All Trustap KYC is managed through the Trustap app.

Test environment
```
https://app.stage.trustap.com/profile/payout/personal?edit=true&client_id={CLIENT_ID}
```

Production environment
```
https://app.trustap.com/profile/payout/personal?edit=true&client_id={CLIENT_ID}
```

KYC is only available for [full Trustap users](/docs/guides/transactions/full-users).

### KYC flows

#### Platform seller

The following Trustap KYC flow applies to sellers on a platform. Sellers are not required to complete KYC before creating or accepting transactions, but are required to complete their KYC before receiving their first payout

1. Register
The user signs up by providing basic account credentials (name, email address, and a secure password) to initiate the Trustap account creation process.

KYC user registration
2. Email
A verification link or code is sent to the seller’s email address. The seller confirms their email to secure the account and move forward.

KYC verify email
3. Personal
The seller enters essential personal information (such as full name, date of birth, and home address) to verify their identity and comply with standard regulations.

KYC add personal details
4. Payout
The seller inputs their preferred bank account details to enable secure transfers when funds are released from the Trustap vault.

KYC add account details
5. Documents
The seller uploads government-issued ID or supporting identity documents via Stripe to complete full account verification and unlock payouts.

KYC account verification screen
#### Merchant seller

The following Trustap KYC flow applies to Trustap merchants with their own business. Merchants must complete this KYC flow before they can receive a payout.

1. Register
The merchant owner or administrator creates a Trustap account using an email address and a strong password.

KYC user registration
2. Email
The merchant verifies their email address via an automated link or code sent to their inbox to authenticate ownership.

KYC verify email
3. Personal
The merchant provides the primary contact's personal information (full legal name, date of birth, and personal address) for identity verification.

KYC add personal details
4. Business
The merchant submits official business information, including legal entity name, business registration number, and company address.

KYC add personal details
5. Payout
The merchant submits company bank account information to ensure payouts are deposited directly to the business account.

KYC add account details
6. Documents
The merchant uploads official documentation (such as proof of identity and company registration/formation documents) for final regulatory KYC check and payout clearance.

KYC account verification screen