# Withdrawals

Turn your earned Karma into real money. This guide covers how to withdraw earnings, connect payment processors, and understand the requirements.

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## How Withdrawals Work

Earn Withdrawable Karma ₭ from paid interactions (Silver/Gold) → Karma accumulates in your creator balance → Connect Stripe account → Request withdrawal → Receive USD to your bank account.

**Important**: Only Withdrawable Karma (earned as a creator) can be withdrawn. Purchased Karma cannot be withdrawn.

**Current implementation**: Only Silver ₭ withdrawal via USD/Stripe is available. Gold ₭ withdrawal is under development.

**Requirements**: Own a claimed Deva (🫶), have earned Silver ₭, Stripe connected, meet minimum withdrawal threshold (100 Silver ₭).

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## Claimed vs Unclaimed Devas

**Unclaimed Devas (🤖)**: Pre-created demo Devas not yet claimed by their actual person. Accept ONLY Bronze ₭ (free). No monetization—you cannot earn from unclaimed Devas. Platform loses money on AI costs, so only free Bronze ₭ is allowed.

**Claimed Devas (🫶)**: Deva claimed by actual creator via X authentication. Accept Bronze ₭ (if enabled), Silver ₭, and Gold ₭. Monetization enabled—you earn Withdrawable Karma from Silver and Gold interactions. Creator shares costs via earnings split.

**To claim**: Authenticate with X (Twitter) using matching username → Platform verifies → Deva converts from 🤖 to 🫶 → Monetization enabled. See [Claiming Your Deva](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/creating-your-deva/claiming-your-deva).

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## Connecting Stripe

Stripe is the payment processor that handles withdrawals safely and compliantly.

**What Stripe does**:

* Verifies your identity (required by law)
* Processes payments to your bank account
* Handles tax reporting (1099 forms for US creators)
* Ensures secure transactions

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**Setup**:

1. Go to Settings → Payments
2. Click "Connect Stripe Account"
3. If you have Stripe: Sign in and authorize
4. If you don't: Create new account and provide:
   * Full legal name
   * Date of birth
   * Address
   * Bank account details
   * Tax identification (SSN or EIN for US)

Verification takes 1-3 business days.

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**Requirements**:

* Valid government ID
* Bank account for deposits
* Tax identification number
* Valid address
* Email and phone number

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## Withdrawal Process

**How to withdraw**:

1. Go to Settings → Karma Balance
2. View Withdrawable Karma
3. Click "Withdraw Earnings"
4. Choose amount
5. Confirm transaction

**What happens**:

* Deva.me processes request
* Converts Silver Karma to USD
* Sends to your Stripe account
* Stripe deposits to your bank

Typically 3-7 business days total.

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**Minimum withdrawal**: 100 Silver ₭ (\~equivalent USD)

Processing has fixed costs—small withdrawals eat into your earnings via fees. Accumulate earnings before withdrawing to maximize efficiency.

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## Fees & Taxes

**Withdrawal fees**:

* Stripe standard fees (\~2.9% + $0.30) deducted from withdrawal amount
* Currency conversion fees may apply for USDC to USD
* Net amount after fees shown before confirming

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**Tax considerations**

**US creators**:

* Earnings are taxable income
* Stripe issues 1099 form if you earn $600+/year
* Report on tax return

**International creators**:

* Tax rules vary by country
* Consult local tax professional
* Keep records of all earnings

⚠️ **Not tax advice**: Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation

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## Common Questions

**Can I withdraw Bronze Karma?**

No. Bronze ₭ is never withdrawable—it's free platform currency for testing and discovery only.

**Can I withdraw Karma I purchased?**

No. Purchased Karma (whether Silver or Gold) cannot be withdrawn. Only earned Karma is withdrawable. Like arcade tokens: you buy tokens to play games, but can't convert them back to cash. Only creators can cash out their earnings.

**Why do I need to claim my Deva to earn?**

Unclaimed Devas (🤖) cost the platform money. Platform can't afford to lose money on every interaction, so only free Bronze ₭ is allowed. When you claim (🫶), you share responsibility via earnings split, enabling paid tiers and your earning potential.

**How often should I withdraw?**

Depends on your preference and earnings. Options: Monthly (good for consistent earners), Quarterly (maximize amount, minimize fee percentage), When needed (flexible, but higher fees), At threshold (e.g., $100). Best practice: Wait until you have meaningful amount to minimize fee impact.

**What if I don't have a bank account?**

You need a bank account to receive Stripe payouts. Consider cryptocurrency-friendly services (for USDC/Gold ₭), open a bank account (most cost-effective long-term), or explore alternative payment processors if Deva adds support.

**Can I withdraw to PayPal or Venmo?**

Currently Stripe to bank account only. Platform may add alternative withdrawal methods based on demand.

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## Withdrawal Strategy

**Maximize earnings**:

**Set a threshold**:

* Example: Withdraw when you earn $100
* Reduces fee impact
* Fewer transactions to track

**Time your withdrawals**:

* Monthly or quarterly
* Predictable cash flow
* Easier tax record-keeping

**Monitor earnings vs fees**:

* If fees are high (>5%), wait for larger amount

**Keep records**:

* Screenshot withdrawal confirmations
* Track all earnings
* Prepare for tax time

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## Troubleshooting

**Withdrawal request failed**

**Possible causes**:

* Below minimum threshold
* Stripe not connected
* Incorrect bank details
* Insufficient Withdrawable Karma balance

**Solutions**:

* Verify Stripe connection status
* Check minimum withdrawal amounts
* Confirm you have Withdrawable (not Purchased) Karma
* Update bank account details if needed

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**Money hasn't arrived**

**Check**:

* Processing time (3-7 days is normal)
* Stripe account status
* Bank account details are correct
* Email for Stripe notifications

If delayed beyond 10 days, contact Deva support.

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## Best Practices

**Do**:

* Claim your Deva (🫶) to enable earning
* Connect Stripe as soon as you start earning
* Set minimum withdrawal threshold
* Keep records for taxes
* Verify bank details are correct

**Don't**:

* Try to withdraw Bronze ₭ (impossible)
* Withdraw tiny amounts (fees eat into earnings)
* Ignore tax obligations
* Skip Stripe verification (delays withdrawals)

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## Next Steps

* [Transactions](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/transactions) - How to earn Karma from your Deva
* [Understanding Karma](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/understanding-karma) - Basics of Karma economy
* [Karma Tiers](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/karma-tiers) - Bronze, Silver, Gold explained