> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://references.everstrike.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://references.everstrike.io/technical-architecture/on-chain-settlement-custody.md).

# On-Chain Settlement/Custody

User funds remain on-chain in Everstrike smart contracts. The contracts categorize funds by their available use.

### Fund categories

| Category        | Available use                                                         |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Free funds      | Trading and redemptions.                                              |
| Locked funds    | Margin for open positions and orders.                                 |
| Staked funds    | Minting [evUSD](/account/evusd.md), Everstrike's internal stablecoin. |
| Deposited funds | Withdrawals and staking. Deposited funds cannot mint evUSD directly.  |

### Fund lifecycle

Deposited funds can be withdrawn or staked. Staked funds can mint evUSD. Open orders and positions use locked funds as margin.

See [How to deposit, withdraw, and stake on Everstrike](/account/how-to-deposit-withdraw-and-stake-on-everstrike.md) for the operational flows.

### Gas fees

| Operation        | Gas payer  |
| ---------------- | ---------- |
| Deposit          | You        |
| Stake            | You        |
| Withdraw         | You        |
| Mint             | Everstrike |
| Redeem (unstake) | Everstrike |

{% hint style="info" %}
You need gas funds in your wallet for deposits, staking, and withdrawals.
{% endhint %}