# Funding the Contract: How Clients Deposit to Escrow Once both parties have accepted the terms, completed identity verification, and connected wallets, the client can fund the contract to activate it. *** ### **πŸ’° How It Works** Clients deposit funds into a **smart contract escrow**. Funds stay locked until the freelancer or agency delivers work and it’s approved. [πŸ” How escrow protects both sides β†’](https://docs.midcontract.com/why-midcontract/escrow-and-payment-security-for-freelancers-and-clients) *** ### **πŸ’΅ Funding Methods** Clients can fund escrow in two simple ways: * **Stablecoins** β€” transfer directly from any EVM-compatible wallet (like MetaMask or WalletConnect) * **Fiat β†’ Stablecoins** β€” use your bank card, Apple Pay, or local payment method to purchase stablecoins via our integrated partner *(availability varies by region)* > πŸ”Ž Note: Fiat support depends on the user’s country and payment provider. > 🌍 Learn about multi-currency payouts β†’ *** ### **βœ… What Happens Next** After the funds are deposited: * Contract status updates to **Active** * The freelancer or agency is notified * Work can officially begin > 🚫 > > **No work should start before escrow is funded** > πŸ“„ Full setup process β†’ *** ### **πŸ” Escrow Protection** * Funds are held in a smart contract β€” **not by Midcontract** * Neither party can access funds until approval * Disputes can trigger **on-chain resolution** via Midcontract’s system [βš–οΈ Learn how disputes are handled β†’](https://docs.midcontract.com/why-midcontract/security-by-design-verified-audited-smart-contracts) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.midcontract.com/funding-the-contract-how-clients-deposit-to-escrow.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.