Kleros

Kleros (PNK) is a decentralized dispute resolution project that launched in July 2018. It is an open-source online dispute resolution protocol that uses blockchain and crowdsourcing to adjudicate disputes fairly.

Kleros offers a middleman service for decentralized applications (DApps) and their users. If the service provided by the application does not create a dispute, Kleros acts as a trustless third-party service for payment.

When a dispute does occur, however, each party can apply for arbitration through the Kleros arbitrators that are selected from the owners of PNK tokens. PNK is an Ethereum-based ERC-20 utility token with a fixed supply.

At this point, the jurors can make a decision that will favor either party. The arbitration fees are distributed to all arbitrators in the form of ETH; jurors who have issued a minority decision lose part of their PNK tokens for the benefit of the majority of jurors. This decision can be appealed, at a cost. The stated mission of Kleros is to offer easier access to justice and improve individual freedom.

Kleros charges a cost that is payable in ETH and is provided by the parties to the dispute or drawn from the funds previously locked in escrow.