Affiliate Agreement

1.Authorization and Contract.

By executing the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Agreement (“Agreement”), you apply for legal authorization to become a n Trading Platform Affiliate and enter into contract with Ascend Trading Platform, hereinafter “Ascend Trading Platform.” You acknowledge that prior to signing you have received, read and understood the Ascend Trading Platform Income Disclosure Statement, that you have read and understood the Ascend Trading Platform Policies and Procedures, which are incorporated into this Agreement and made part of it as if restated in full, as posted on www.ascend.trade, and that you have read and agree to all terms set forth in this Agreement. Ascend Trading Platform reserves the right to reject any application for any reason within 30 days of receipt.

2.Expiration, Renewal, and Termination.

The term of this Agreement is month to month (subject to prior cancellation or disqualification as provided in the Policies and Procedures). If your Ascend Trading Platform business is canceled or terminated for any reason, you understand that you will permanently lose all rights as an Affiliate. In the event of cancellation or termination you waive all rights you have, including but not limited to property rights, to your former referred users and to any milestone bonuses, commissions or other remuneration derived through the sales and other activities of your referred users. Ascend Trading Platform reserves the right to terminate all Affiliate Agreements upon thirty (30) days’ notice if the Company elects to: (1) cease business operations; (2) dissolve as a business entity; or (3) terminate distribution of its services via direct selling channels.

3.Independent Contractor Status.

You agree this authorization does not make you an employee, agent, or legal representative of Ascend Trading Platform. As a self-employed independent contractor, you will be operating your own independent business, buying and selling services available through Ascend Trading Platform on your own account. You have complete freedom in determining the number of hours that you will devote to your business, and you have the sole discretion of scheduling such hours. You will receive IRS Form 1099-MISC reflecting the amount of income paid to you during the calendar year. It will be your sole responsibility to account for such income on your individual income tax returns.

4.Presenting the Plan

You agree when presenting the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Plan to present it in its entirety as outlined in official Ascend Trading Platform materials, emphasizing that sales to end consumers are required to receive compensation in the form of one-tier commission structure. In presenting the plan to prospects, you agree not to utilize any literature, materials or aids not produced or specifically authorized in writing by Ascend Trading Platform. You agree to instruct all prospective Affiliates to review the Ascend Trading Platform Income Disclosure Statement.

5.Selling the Service.

You agree to make no representations or claims about any services beyond those shown in official Ascend Trading Platform literature. You further agree to sell services available through Ascend Trading Platform only in authorized territories.

6.Non-Solicitation Agreement.

In accordance with the Policies and Procedures, you agree that during the period while you are an Affiliate, and for one calendar year following resignation, non-renewal, or termination of your business, you will not encourage, solicit, or otherwise attempt to recruit or persuade any other Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate to compete with the business of Ascend Trading Platform.

7. Images / Recordings / Consents.

You agree to permit Ascend Trading Platform to obtain photographs, videos, and other recorded media of you or your likeness. You acknowledge and agree to allow any such recorded media to be used by Ascend Trading Platform for any lawful purpose, and without compensation.

8.Modification of Terms.

With the exception of the dispute resolution section in Policies and Procedures, which can only be modified by way of mutual consent, the terms of this Agreement may be modified as specified in Rule 1 in the Policies and Procedures.

9. Jurisdiction and Governing Law.

The formation, construction, interpretation, and enforceability of your contract with Ascend Trading Platform as set forth in this Affiliate Agreement and any incorporated documents shall be governed by and interpreted in all respects under the laws of Panama without regard to conflict of law provisions.

10.Dispute Resolution.

All disputes and claims relating to Ascend Trading Platform, its services, the rights and obligations of an Affiliate and Ascend Trading Platform, or any other claims or causes of action relating to the performance of either an Affiliate or Ascend Trading Platform under the Agreement or the Ascend Trading Platform Policies and Procedures shall be settled totally and finally by arbitration as enumerated in the Policies and Procedures in Panama, or such other location as Ascend Trading Platform prescribed, in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that all parties shall be entitled to discovery rights allowed under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Additionally, you agree not to initiate or participate in any class action proceeding against Ascend Trading Platform, whether in a judicial or mediation or arbitration proceeding, and you waive all rights to become a member of any certified class in any lawsuit or proceeding. This agreement to arbitrate shall survive any termination or expiration of the Agreement. Nothing in the Agreement shall prevent Ascend Trading Platform from applying to and obtaining from any court having jurisdiction a writ of attachment, garnishment, temporary injunction, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction or other equitable relief available to safeguard and protect its interest prior to, during or following the filing of any arbitration or other proceeding or pending the rendition of a decision or award in connection with any arbitration or other proceeding.

11. Time Limitation.

If an Affiliate wishes to bring an action against Ascend Trading Platform for any act or omission relating to or arising from the Agreement, such action must be brought within one year from the date of the alleged conduct giving rise to the cause of action. Affiliate waives all claims that any other statutes of limitations apply.

12. Refund Policy.

Ascend Trading Platform offers a fourteen (14) day satisfaction guarantee on all initial fees paid to the company. All subsequent fees are nonrefundable. The digital nature of the service and the immediacy of the benefits make any possibility for a longer refund period commercially impractical.

13. Miscellaneous.

If any provision of the Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable and the balance of the Agreement will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. The provisions of this Agreement, including all documents incorporated herein by reference, embody the whole agreement between you and Ascend Trading Platform and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings and obligations between you and Ascend Trading Platform concerning the subject matter of your contract with Ascend Trading Platform.

14. Notice of Right to Cancel.

You may request a refund on your enrollment fee if it’s done within fourteen (14) days from the date of enrollment. If you cancel, any enrollment fees paid will be returned within FOURTEEN BUSINESS DAYS following receipt by the seller of your cancellation notice. To cancel this transaction, you can go to the Ascend Trading Platform Helpdesk, not later than midnight of the fourteenth (14th) business day following the date of this Agreement.

Ascend Trading Platform Statement of Policies and Procedures

Effective January 01, 2024

SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.1 Code Of Ethics
1.2 Policies Incorporated Into Affiliate Agreement
1.3 Changes To The Affiliate Agreement, Policies And Procedures, Or Affiliate Commission Structure
1.4 Delays
1.5 Policies And Provisions Severable
1.6 Waiver

SECTION 2 -BECOMING AN AFFILIATE

2.1 Requirements To Become an Affiliate

SECTION 3 - INCOME DISCLOSURE POLICY

SECTION 4 - ADVERTISING

4.1 Adherence To The Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Structure
4.2 Use Of Sales Aid
4.3 Intellectual Property
4.4 Web Policy
4.5 Media And Media Inquiries
4.6 Unsolicited Email And Fax Communication

SECTION 5 - OPERATING an Ascend Trading Platform BUSINESS.

5.2 Unauthorized Claims And Action
5.2.1 Indemnification
5.2.2 Endorsement of Ascend Trading Platform Services
5.3 Conflicts
5.3.1 Non-Solicitations
5.4 Governmental Approval Or Endorsement
5.5 Identification
5.6 Income Taxes
5.7 Independent Contractor Status
5.8 Structuring
5.9 One Ascend Trading Platform Business Per Affiliate
5.10 Succession
5.11 Sale, Transfer, Or Assignment Of An Ascend Trading Platform Business
5.12 Separation Of AN Ascend Trading Platform Business

6 RESPONSIBILITIES OF AFFILIATES

6.1 Change Of Address, Telephone No., Email-Address
6.2 Sponsoring Affiliate Responsibilities
6.3 Non disparagement

7 BONUSES AND COMMISSIONS

7.1 Commission Qualifications
7.2 Errors Or Questions
7.3 Reports
7.4 Refund Policy

8 DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

8.1 Disciplinary Sanctions
8.2 Mediation
8.3 Arbitration
8.4 Governing Law, Jurisdiction, And Venue

9 EFFECT OF CANCELLATION

9.1 Effect Of Cancellation And Termination
9.2 Non-Renewal

10 DEFINITIONS

Ascend Trading Platform Statement of Policies and Procedures

Effective January 01, 2024

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 - Code of Ethics

Ascend Trading Platform (hereafter "Ascend Trading Platform" or "the Company") is a values-based company that prides itself on the quality and character of its Affiliates (hereinafter "Affiliate"). The following guidelines help ensure a uniform standard of excellence throughout our organization. Every Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate is expected to practice the following ethical behavior when acting in the name of the company:

A. I will be respectful of every person I meet while doing Ascend Trading Platform related business.
B. At all times I will conduct myself and my business in an ethical, moral, legal, and financially sound manner.
C. I will not engage in activities that would bring disrepute to Ascend Trading Platform, any Ascend Trading Platform corporate officer or employee, myself, or other Affiliates.
D. I will not make discouraging or disparaging claims toward other Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates. I will ensure that in all Ascend Trading Platform business dealings I will refrain from engaging in negative language. I will refrain from making any type of slanderous statements.
E. I will provide support and encouragement to my Customers to ensure that their experience with Ascend Trading Platform is a successful one. I understand that it is important to provide follow-up service and support to my sign-ups.
F. I will correctly represent the Affiliate compensation structure available through Ascend Trading Platform and the income potential represented therein. I understand I may not use my own income as an indication of others' potential success or use compensation checks as marketing materials.
G. I will abide by all of Ascend Trading Platform's Policies & Procedures now and as they may be amended in the future.

1.2 - Policies Incorporated into Affiliate Agreement

These Policies and Procedures ("Policies"), in their present form and as amended at the sole discretion of Ascend Trading Platform, are incorporated into, and form an integral part of, the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Agreement (hereafter "Affiliate Agreement"). Throughout these Policies, when the term "Agreement" is used, it collectively refers to the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Agreement, these Policies, and the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Structure. These documents are incorporated by reference into the Affiliate Agreement (all in their current form and as amended by Ascend Trading Platform). It is the responsibility of each Affiliate to read, understand, adhere to, and ensure that he or she is aware of and operating under the most current version of these Policies.

1.3 - Changes to the Affiliate Agreement, Policies and Procedures, or Affiliate Commission Structure

Because federal, state, and local laws, as well as the business environment, periodically change, Ascend Trading Platform reserves the right to amend the Agreement and the prices in its Ascend Trading Platform Product Price List in its sole and absolute discretion. Notification of amendments shall appear in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials. Amendments shall be effective upon publication in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials, including but not limited to, posting on Ascend Trading Platform's website, e-mail distribution, publication in Ascend Trading Platform's newsletter, product inserts, or any other commercially reasonable method. The continuation of an Affiliate's Ascend Trading Platform business or an Affiliate's acceptance of commissions constitutes acceptance of any and all amendments. The ability to modify the agreement does not extend to the dispute resolution section in these Policies (Section 9), as those provisions can only be modified by way of mutual consent.

1.4 - Delays

Ascend Trading Platform shall not be responsible for delays and failures in performance of its obligations when performance is made commercially impracticable due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control. This includes, without limitation, strikes, labor difficulties, riot, war, fire, flood, death, curtailment of a party's source of supply, or government decrees or orders.

1.5 -Policies and Provisions Severable

If any provision of the Agreement, in its current form or as may be amended, is found to be invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, only the invalid portion(s) of the provision shall be severed and the remaining terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed as if such invalid, or unenforceable provision never comprised a part of the Agreement.

1.6 -Waiver

The Company never gives up its right to insist on compliance with the Agreement and with the applicable laws governing the conduct of a business. No failure of Ascend Trading Platform to exercise any right or power under the Agreement or to insist upon strict compliance by an Affiliate with any obligation or provision of the Agreement, and no custom or practice of the parties at variance with the terms of the Agreement, shall constitute a waiver of Ascend Trading Platform's right to demand exact compliance with the Agreement. Waiver by Ascend Trading Platform can be effectuated only in writing by an authorized officer of the Company.

SECTION 2 - BECOMING AN AFFILIATE

2.1 - Requirements to Become an Affiliate

To become a Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate, each applicant must:

A. Be of the age of majority in his or her state of residence;
B. Reside in the United States or other countries, which have been officially opened by Ascend Trading Platform;
C. Have a valid Social Security Number or Federal Tax Identification Number;

SECTION 3 - INCOME DISCLOSURE POLICY

In an effort to conduct best business practices, Ascend Trading Platform has developed the Income Disclosure Statement ("IDS"). The Ascend Trading Platform IDS is designed to convey truthful, timely, and comprehensive information regarding the income that Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates earn. In order to accomplish this objective, a copy of the IDS must be presented to all prospective Affiliates.
A copy of the IDS must be presented to a prospective Affiliate (someone who is not a party to a current Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Agreement) anytime the Affiliate Commission Structure is presented or discussed, or any type of income claim or earnings representation is made.
The terms "income claim" and/or "earnings representation" (collectively "income claim") include: (1) statements of average earnings, (2) statements of non-average earnings, (3) statements of earnings ranges, (4) income testimonials, (5) lifestyle claims, and (6) hypothetical claims. Examples of "statements of non-average earnings" include, "Our number one Affiliate earned over a million dollars last year" or "Our average ranking Affiliate makes five thousand per month." An example of a "statement of earnings ranges" is "The monthly income for our higher ranking Affiliates is ten thousand dollars on the low end to thirty thousand dollars a month on the high end."
In any meeting that is open to the public in which the Affiliate Commission Structure is discussed or any type of income claim is made, you must provide every prospective Affiliate with a copy of the IDS. Copies of the IDS may be printed or downloaded without charge from the company website at www.ascend.trade

SECTION 4 – ADVERTISING

4.1 - Adherence to the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Plan

Affiliates must adhere to the terms of the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Plan as set forth in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials. Affiliates shall not offer the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Plan through, or in combination with, any other system, program, or method of marketing other than that specifically stated in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials. Affiliates shall not require or encourage other current or prospective customers or Affiliates to participate in Ascend Trading Platform in any manner that varies from the program as set forth in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials. Affiliates shall not require or encourage other current or prospective customers or Affiliates to execute any agreement or contract other than official Ascend Trading Platform agreements and contracts in order to become an Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate. Similarly, Affiliates shall not require or encourage other current or prospective customers or Affiliates to make any purchase from, or payment to, any individual or other entity to participate in the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Plan other than those purchases or payments identified as recommended or required in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials.

4.2 - Use of Sales Aids

To refer the services of Ascend Trading Platform, Affiliates must use the sales aids and support materials produced by Ascend Trading Platform. If Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates develop their own sales aids and promotional materials (which includes Internet advertising), notwithstanding Affiliates' good intentions, they may unintentionally violate any number of statutes or regulations affecting a Ascend Trading Platform business. These violations, although they may be relatively few in number, could jeopardize the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Structure for all Affiliates. Accordingly, Affiliates must submit all written sales aids, promotional materials, advertisements, websites and other literature to the Company for Company's approval prior to use. Unless the Affiliate receives specific written approval to use the material, the request shall be deemed denied. All Affiliates shall safeguard and promote the good reputation of Ascend Trading Platform and its services. The marketing and promotion of Ascend Trading Platform, the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Plan, shall be consistent with the public interest, and must avoid all discourteous, deceptive, misleading, unethical or immoral conduct or practices.

4.3 -Intellectual Property

Ascend Trading Platform will not allow the use of its trade names, trademarks, designs, or symbols outside of corporate produced and approved sales aids by any person, including Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates, without prior written authorization from Ascend Trading Platform. Furthermore, no Affiliate may use, publish, reproduce, advertise, sell, or display in any manner the name, picture or likeness, or voice of another Affiliate without prior written consent from the named Affiliate. This consent must be on file with Ascend Trading Platform's Compliance department prior to any use.

4.4 -Web Policy

A. General

It is your obligation to ensure your Online marketing activities are truthful, are not deceptive and do not mislead customers or potential Affiliates in any way. Websites and web promotion activities and tactics that mislead or are deceptive, regardless of intent, will not be allowed. This may include representation in any manner that you are an authorized representative for Ascend Trading Platform, spam linking (or blog spam), unethical search engine optimization (SEO) tactics, misleading click-through ads (i.e., having the display URL of a PPC campaign appear to resolve to an official Ascend Trading Platform Corporate Site when it goes elsewhere), unapproved banner ads, and unauthorized press releases. Ascend Trading Platform will be the sole determinant of truthfulness as to whether specific activities are misleading or deceptive.

B. Domain Names, email Addresses and Online Aliases

You cannot use or register domain names, email addresses, and/or Online aliases that could cause confusion, or be misleading or deceptive, in that they cause individuals to believe or assume the communication is from, or is the property of Ascend Trading Platform by showing up as the sender of an email. Examples of the improper use include but are not limited to: Ascend Trading Platform@msn.com; www.ascend.trade; www.facebook.com/ascend or derivatives as described herein.
Examples of permitted URLs, email addresses, and Online aliases might appear as follows: facebook.com/iloveAscend Trading Platform; jimsmith@ZeroDowTradingAffiliate.net.
Determinations as to what could cause confusion, mislead or be considered deceptive is at the sole discretion of Ascend Trading Platform. If you have a question whether your chosen name is acceptable, you may submit it to compliance@ZeroDownTrading.com for review before use.

C. Banner Advertising

You may place banner advertisements on a website provided you use Ascend Trading Platform-approved templates and images. All banner advertisements must link to your Affiliate Link. You may not use blind ads or web pages that make non-compliant product or income claims that are ultimately associated with Ascend Trading Platform products or the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Structure.

D. Social Networking Sites

You may use social networking websites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, blogs, forums and other social shared interest sites) to share information about the Ascend Trading Platform product, mission and Affiliate opportunity. However, these sites may not be used to sell or offer to sell specific Ascend Trading Platform services.
Profiles you generate in any social community where you mention or discuss Ascend Trading Platform must clearly identify you as a Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate and must appear as described herein. When you participate in those communities you must avoid inappropriate conversations, comments, images, video, audio, applications or any other adult, profane, discriminatory or vulgar content. The determination of what is inappropriate is at Ascend Trading Platform's sole discretion, and offending Affiliates will be subject to disciplinary action and/or termination.
You agree that you will immediately take down a non-compliant site at the request of Ascend Trading Platform. Appeals regarding compliance may be submitted after the site has been taken down. Appeals should be directed to the email address set forth in the policy addressing dispute resolutions.

E. Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Image Mandate

When using a Social Media or external website it must contain:

a. An Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Logo from the approved templates.
b. Your Name and Title (example: Joan Arc, Independent Affiliate, Ascend Trading Platform.
c. A link to your Affiliate Replicated website.

Although Ascend Trading Platform brand themes and images are desirable for consistency, anyone landing on your page needs to clearly understand that they are at an Independent Affiliate site, and not a Ascend Trading Platform Corporate page.

4.5 - Media and Media Inquiries

Affiliates must not initiate any interaction with the media or attempt to respond to media inquiries regarding Ascend Trading Platform, its services, or their independent Ascend Trading Platform business. All inquiries by any type of media must be immediately referred to Ascend Trading Platform's Compliance department. This policy is designed to ensure that accurate and consistent information is provided to the public, as well as a proper public image.

4.6 - Unsolicited Email and Fax Communication

Ascend Trading Platform does not permit Affiliates to send unsolicited emails unless such emails strictly comply with applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the federal CAN SPAM Act. Any email sent by an Affiliate that promotes Ascend Trading Platform, the Ascend Trading Platform opportunity, or Ascend Trading Platform services, must comply with the following:

A. There must be a functioning return email address to the sender.
B. There must be a notice in the email that advises the recipient that they may reply to the email, via the functioning return email address, to request that future email solicitations or correspondence not be sent to him or her (a functioning "opt-out" notice).
C. The email must include the Affiliate's physical mailing address.
D. The email must clearly and conspicuously disclose that the message is an advertisement or solicitation.
E. The use of deceptive subject lines and/or false header information is prohibited.

All opt-out requests, whether received by email or regular mail, must be honored. If an Affiliate receives an opt-out request from a recipient of an email, the Affiliate must forward the opt-out request to the Company. Ascend Trading Platform may periodically send commercial emails on behalf of Affiliates. By entering into the Affiliate Agreement, Affiliate agrees that the Company may send such emails and that the Affiliate's physical and email addresses will be included in such emails as outlined above. Affiliates shall honor opt-out requests generated as a result of such emails sent by the Company. Except as provided in this section, Affiliates may not use or transmit unsolicited faxes or use an automatic telephone dialing system relative to the operation of their Ascend Trading Platform businesses.

SECTION 5 - OPERATING AN Ascend Trading Platform BUSINESS.

5.1 - Unauthorized Claims and Action

5.1.1 - Indemnification

An Affiliate is fully responsible for all of his or her verbal and/or written statements made regarding Ascend Trading Platform services and the Affiliate Commission Plan, which are not expressly contained in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials. Affiliates agree to indemnify Ascend Trading Platform and hold it harmless from any and all liability including judgments, civil penalties, refunds, attorney fees, court costs or lost business incurred by Ascend Trading Platform as a result of the Affiliate's unauthorized representations or actions. This provision shall survive the cancellation of the Affiliate Agreement.

5.1.2 -Endorsements of Ascend Trading Platform Services

No claims as to any services offered by Ascend Trading Platform may be made except those contained in Official Ascend Trading Platform Materials.

5.2 - Conflicts

5.2.1 - Non-Solicitations

Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates are free to participate in any multilevel or network marketing business ventures or marketing opportunities (collectively "Network Marketing"). However, during the term of this Agreement, Affiliates may not directly or indirectly recruit other Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates or Customers other than those they have personally sponsored for any Network Marketing business. Following the cancellation of an Affiliate Agreement, and for a period of one (1) calendar year thereafter, with the exception of an Affiliate who is personally referred by the former Affiliate, a former Affiliate may not refer any Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate or Customer for another Network Marketing business.

5.3 -Governmental Approval or Endorsement

Neither federal nor state regulatory agencies nor officials approve or endorse any direct selling or network marketing companies or programs. Therefore, Affiliates shall not represent or imply that Ascend Trading Platform or its Affiliate Commission Structure have been "approved," "endorsed," or otherwise sanctioned by any government agency.

5.4 -Identification

All Affiliates are required to provide their Social Security Number, Federal Employer Identification Number, or their Government Issued ID Number to Ascend Trading Platform either on the Affiliate Agreement or at the company's request. Upon enrollment, the Company will provide a unique Affiliate Identification Number to the Affiliate by which they will be identified. This number will be used to place orders and track commissions and bonuses.

5.5 - Income Taxes

Every year, Ascend Trading Platform will provide an IRS Form 1099 MISC (Non-employee Compensation) earnings statement to each U.S. resident as required by the Internal Revenue Service. Each Affiliate is responsible for paying local, state and federal taxes on any income generated as a Affiliate. If an Ascend Trading Platform business is tax exempt, the Federal Tax Identification Number must be provided to Ascend Trading Platform. Any Affiliate that does not provide a valid social security number is subject to the federal backup withholding laws and 28% of their commissions and bonus will be withheld and submitted to the IRS.

5.6 - Independent Contractor Status

You are an independent contractor. You are not an agent, employee, partner, or joint venture with the Company. You may not represent yourself as anything other than an Independent Affiliate. You have no authority to bind Ascend Trading Platform to any obligation. You are responsible for paying your own self-employment taxes, federal income taxes and other taxes required by law. You must obey any federal, state, and local laws, as well as Company rules and regulations pertaining to your independent Ascend Trading Platform Business or the acquisition, receipt, holding, selling, distributing or advertising of Ascend Trading Platform's services or opportunity.
Affiliates may not answer the telephone by saying "Ascend Trading Platform," "Ascend Trading Platform Incorporated," or by any other manner that would lead the caller to believe that they have reached Ascend Trading Platform's corporate offices. An Affiliate may only represent that he/she is an Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate. Therefore, all correspondence and business cards relating to or in connection with an Affiliate's Ascend Trading Platform business shall contain the Affiliate's name followed by the term "Affiliate."

5.7 - Structuring

Structuring is the unauthorized manipulation of the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Plan and/or the marketing plan in order to trigger commissions or cause a milestone bonus for an Affiliate in an unearned manner. One example of structuring occurs when an Affiliate creates new fake customer accounts in order to trigger unearned qualification for commissioning.

5.8 - One Ascend Trading Platform Business per Affiliate

An Affiliate may operate or have an ownership interest, legal or equitable, as a sole proprietorship, partner, shareholder, trustee, or beneficiary, in only one Ascend Trading Platform business. No individual may have, operate or receive compensation from more than one Ascend Trading Platform business. Individuals of the same family unit may each enter into or have an interest in their own separate Ascend Trading Platform businesses. A "family unit" is defined as spouses and dependent children living at or doing business at the same address.

5.9 - Succession

Upon the death or incapacitation of an Affiliate, their business may be passed to a designated heir(s). Appropriate legal documentation must be submitted to the Company to ensure the transfer is proper. Whenever an Ascend Trading Platform business is transferred by a will or other testamentary process, the beneficiary acquires the right to collect all commissions and milestone bonuses, if any of the deceased Affiliate's referred users provided the following qualifications are met. The successor(s) must:

• Execute an Affiliate Agreement;
• Comply with terms and provisions of the Agreement;
• Provide Ascend Trading Platform with an "address of record" to which all commission checks will be sent. Milestone Bonuses and commission checks of an Ascend Trading Platform business transferred pursuant to this section will be paid in a single check jointly to the successor(s).

5.10 - Sale, Transfer, or Assignment of an Ascend Trading Platform Business

Although an Ascend Trading Platform business is a privately owned, independently operated business, the sale, transfer or assignment of an Ascend Trading Platform business is subject to certain limitations. If an Affiliate wishes to sell their Ascend Trading Platform business, the following criteria must be met:

A. The buyer or transferee must become a qualified Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate. If the buyer is an active Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate, they must first terminate their Ascend Trading Platform business and wait six calendar months before acquiring any interest in the new Ascend Trading Platform business;
B. Before the sale, transfer, or assignment can be finalized and approved by Ascend Trading Platform, any debt obligations the selling Affiliate has with Ascend Trading Platform must be satisfied; and
C. The selling Affiliate must be in good standing and not in violation of any of the terms of the Agreement in order to be eligible to sell, transfer, or assign an Ascend Trading Platform business

Prior to selling a Ascend Trading Platform business, the selling Affiliate must notify Ascend Trading Platform's Compliance department of their intent to sell the Ascend Trading Platform business.

5.11 - Separation of a Ascend Trading Platform Business

Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates sometimes operate their Ascend Trading Platform businesses as husband-wife partnerships, regular partnerships, corporations, or trusts. At such time as a marriage may end in divorce or a corporation, partnership, or trust (the latter three entities are collectively referred to herein as "entities") may dissolve, arrangements must be made to assure that any separation or division of the business is accomplished so as not to adversely affect the interests and income of other businesses. If the separating parties fail to provide for the best interests of other Affiliates and the Company in a timely fashion, Ascend Trading Platform will involuntarily terminate the Affiliate Agreement. During the divorce or entity dissolution process, the parties must adopt one of the following methods of operation:

A. One of the parties may, with consent of the other(s), operate the Ascend Trading Platform business pursuant to an assignment in writing whereby the relinquishing spouse, shareholders, partners, or trustees authorize Ascend Trading Platform to deal directly and solely with the other spouse or non-relinquishing shareholder, partner, or trustee.
B. The parties may continue to operate the Ascend Trading Platform business jointly on a "business-as-usual" basis, whereupon all compensation paid by Ascend Trading Platform will be paid according to the status quo as it existed prior to the divorce filing or dissolution proceedings. This is the default procedure if the parties do not agree on the format set forth above. The Company will never remove a party to a position from an Affiliate account without that party's written permission and signature. Under no circumstances will the referred users of divorcing spouses or a dissolving business entity be divided. Under no circumstances will Ascend Trading Platform split commission and milestone bonus checks between divorcing spouses or members of dissolving entities. Ascend Trading Platform will recognize only one Affiliate and will issue only one commission check per Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate per commission cycle. Commission checks shall always be issued to the same individual or entity. In the event that parties to a divorce or dissolution proceeding are unable to resolve a dispute over the disposition of commissions and ownership of the business in a timely fashion as determined by the Company, the Affiliate Agreement shall be involuntarily canceled.

SECTION 6 - RESPONSIBILITIES OF AFFILIATES

6.1 - Change of Address, Telephone, Email-Address

To ensure timely communications, delivery of support materials and commission checks, it is critically important that the Ascend Trading Platform's files are current. Affiliates planning to move or change their email address must submit an amended Affiliate Agreement complete with the new information.

6.2 - Non-Disparagement

Affiliates must not disparage, demean, or make negative remarks about Ascend Trading Platform, other Ascend Trading Platform Affiliates, Ascend Trading Platform's products, the Affiliate Commission Structure, or Ascend Trading Platform's owners, board members, directors, officers, or employees. Disparaging actions, comments, or statements are those that impugn the character, honesty, integrity, morality or business acumen or abilities of those connected with the Ascend Trading Platform business or the business itself.

6.3 - Reporting Policy Violations

Affiliates observing a Policy violation by another Affiliate should submit a written report of the violation directly to the attention of the Ascend Trading Platform Compliance department, complete with all supporting evidence and pertinent information. It is important to understand that information that is submitted will be kept confidential.

SECTION 7 - COMMISSIONS AND REFUND POLICY

7.1 - Commission Qualifications

In order to qualify to receive commissions and be classified in the system as an Affiliate, you simply need to elect to become an Affiliate. All Affiliates must be in good standing and comply with the terms of the Agreement and these Policies and Procedures. An Affiliate will ‘Qualify’ to receive commissions as long as he/she has two (2) referred active customers so will begin earning on the third referred customer and beyond OR if they maintain an active Ascend Trading Platform Pro subscription. An Affiliate is not required to maintain a personal membership, to be eligible for commissions; but may do so if desired for purposes of this section.

7.2 - Errors or Questions

If an Affiliate has questions about or believes any errors have been made regarding commissions the Affiliate must notify Ascend Trading Platform in writing within 30 days of the date of the purported error or incident in question. Ascend Trading Platform will not be responsible for any errors, omissions, or problems not reported to the Company within 30 days.

7.3 - Reports

All information provided by Ascend Trading Platform, including but not limited to referred user commissions (or any part thereof) is believed to be accurate and reliable. Nevertheless, due to various factors including but not limited to the inherent possibility of human and mechanical error; the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of orders; denial of credit card and electronic check payments, returned products; credit card and electronic check charge-backs, the information is not guaranteed by Ascend Trading Platform or any persons creating or transmitting the information.
ALL PERSONAL AND GROUP SALES VOLUME INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER. IN PARTICULAR, BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION, THERE SHALL BE NO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, OR NONINFRINGEMENT.

7.4 - Refund Policy

Ascend Trading Platform offers a Fourteen (14) day satisfaction guarantee on all initial fees paid to the company. All subsequent fees are nonrefundable. When a refund is requested by an Affiliate the bonuses and commissions attributable to the refunded service will be deducted from the Affiliate who received bonuses or commissions on such sales. Deductions will occur in the month in which the refund is given and continue every pay period thereafter until the commission is recovered.

SECTION 8 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

8.1 - Disciplinary Sanctions

Violation of the Agreement, these Policies and Procedures, violation of any common law duty, including but not limited to any applicable duty of loyalty, any illegal, fraudulent, deceptive, or unethical business conduct, or any act or omission by an Affiliate that, in the sole discretion of the Company, may damage its reputation or goodwill (such damaging act or omission need not be related to the Affiliate's Ascend Trading Platform business), may result, at Ascend Trading Platform's discretion, in one or more of the following corrective measures:

• Issuance of a written warning or admonition;
• Requiring the Affiliate to take immediate corrective measures;
• Imposition of a fine, which may be withheld from bonus and commission checks;
• Loss of rights to one or more bonus and commission checks;
• Withholding from an Affiliate all or part of the Affiliate's bonuses and commissions during the period that Ascend Trading Platform is investigating any conduct allegedly contrary to the Agreement. If an Affiliate's business is canceled for disciplinary reasons, the Affiliate will not be entitled to recover any commissions withheld during the investigation period;
• Suspension of the individual's Affiliate Agreement for one or more pay periods;
• Involuntary termination of the offender's Affiliate Agreement;
• Any other measure expressly allowed within any provision of the Agreement or which Ascend Trading Platform deems practicable to implement and appropriate to equitably resolve injuries caused partially or exclusively by the Affiliate's policy violation or contractual breach;
• Instituting legal proceedings for monetary and/or equitable relief. Each violation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all disciplinary actions are at the sole discretion of Ascend Trading Platform.

8.2 - Mediation

Prior to instituting arbitration, the parties shall meet in good faith and attempt to resolve any dispute arising from or relating to the Agreement through non-binding mediation. One individual who is mutually acceptable to the parties shall be appointed as mediator. The mediator's fees and costs, as well as the costs of holding and conducting the mediation, shall be divided equally between the parties. Each party shall pay its portion of the anticipated shared fees and costs at least ten (10) days in advance of the mediation. Each party shall pay its own attorney's fees, costs, and individual expenses associated with conducting and attending the mediation. Mediation shall be held in Panama, and shall last no more than two (2) business days.

8.3 - Arbitration

If mediation is unsuccessful, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by confidential arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration Rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Affiliates waive all rights to trial by jury or to any court. All arbitration proceedings shall be held in Panama. All parties shall be entitled to all discovery rights pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. There shall be one arbitrator, an attorney at law, who shall have expertise in business law transactions with a strong preference being an attorney knowledgeable in the direct selling industry, selected from the panel which the American Arbitration Panel provides. Each party to the arbitration shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses of arbitration, including legal and filing fees. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties and may, if necessary, be reduced to a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. This agreement to arbitration shall survive any termination or expiration of the Agreement.
NO CLASS ACTION, OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION OR JOINDER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ANY CLAIM WITH A CLAIM OF ANOTHER PERSON OR CLASS OF CLAIMANTS SHALL BE ALLOWABLE . Nothing in these Policies and Procedures shall prevent Ascend Trading Platform from applying to and obtaining from any court having jurisdiction a writ of attachment, a temporary injunction, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction, or other relief available to safeguard and protect Ascend Trading Platform's interest prior to, during, or following the filing of any arbitration or other proceeding or pending the rendition of a decision or award in connection with any arbitration or other proceeding.

8.4 - Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Venue

Jurisdiction and venue of any matter not subject to arbitration shall reside exclusively in Panama. The Federal Arbitration Act shall govern all matters relating to arbitration. The laws of Panama shall govern all other matters relating to or arising from the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and the arbitration provision in this Agreement, residents of the State of Louisiana shall be entitled to bring an action against Ascend Trading Platform in their home forum and pursuant to Louisiana law.

SECTION 9 - EFFECT OF CANCELLATION

9.1- Effect of Cancellation and Termination

So long as an Affiliate remains active and complies with the terms of the Affiliate Agreement and these Policies, Ascend Trading Platform shall pay commissions to such Affiliate in accordance with the Affiliate Commission Structure. An Affiliate's commissions constitute the entire consideration for the Affiliate's efforts in generating sales and all activities related to generating sales (including, but not limited to, referring customers to Ascend Trading Platform products). Following an Affiliate's non-continuation of his or her Affiliate Agreement, cancellation for inactivity, or voluntary or involuntary cancellation (termination) of his or her Affiliate Agreement (all of these methods are collectively referred to as "Cancellation"), the former Affiliate shall have no right, title, claim or interest to the referred users which he or she operated, or any commission from the sales generated. Affiliates waive any and all rights, including, but not limited to, property rights, the referred users which they may have had. Following an Affiliate's cancellation of his or her Affiliate Agreement, the former Affiliate shall not hold him or herself out as a Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate and shall not have the right to sell products through the Ascend Trading Platform Platforms. An Affiliate whose Affiliate Agreement is canceled shall receive commissions only for the last full pay period he or she worked prior to cancellation (less any amounts withheld during an investigation preceding an involuntary cancellation).
An Ascend Trading Platform participant has a right to cancel at any time, regardless of reason. Cancellation must be submitted in writing to the Company at its principal business address, or via email to Ascend Trading Platform. The written notice must include the Affiliate's signature, printed name, address, and Affiliate ID Number.

SECTION 10 - DEFINITIONS

AGREEMENT: The contract between the Company and each Affiliate; includes the Affiliate Agreement, the Ascend Trading Platform Policies and Procedures, and the Ascend Trading Platform Affiliate Commission Structure, all in their current form and as amended by Ascend Trading Platform in its sole discretion. These documents are collectively referred to as the "Agreement."

CANCEL: The termination of Affiliate's business. Cancellation may be either voluntary, involuntary, or through non-renewal.

AFFILIATE COMMISSION STRUCTURE: The guidelines and referenced literature for describing how Affiliates can generate commissions and bonuses.

CUSTOMER: A Customer who purchases Ascend Trading Platform products and does not engage in referring other customers to Ascend Trading Platform.

AFFILIATE: An individual who refers Ascend Trading Platform products and receives a commission.

OFFICIAL Ascend Trading Platform MATERIAL: Literature, audio or video, and other materials developed, printed, published, and distributed by Ascend Trading Platform to Affiliates.