Signing Up as a Model Contributor on a USDC Aggregator: What to Prepare Before You Apply

Before You Apply

Listing a model on a USDC aggregator can be a straightforward process if you prepare the necessary details upfront. This guide walks through the key items to have ready before you submit your application.

API Key Format and Access

The aggregator needs programmatic access to your model's inference endpoint. Ensure you can generate an API key that:

• Uses a standard authentication method, such as a bearer token or custom header.
• Has sufficient permissions to send prompts and receive completions.
• Is scoped to only the necessary endpoints to minimize security risks.

If your service requires IP allowlisting, note the aggregator's egress IPs (you may need to request these during onboarding).

Pricing Disclosure

You must declare your official per-token or per-request pricing. The aggregator applies a transparent markup:

• Users pay your official price × 1.3.
• As a contributor, you receive official price × 1.1 (or × 1.2 for premium models) in USDC.

This means you earn slightly above your listed price, while the platform retains a small margin to cover operational costs. Be prepared to provide a clear pricing table for input and output tokens, or per-call fees if applicable.

Uptime and Reliability Expectations

Users expect reliable access. Before listing, consider:

• Your typical uptime percentage and any planned maintenance windows.
• How quickly you can respond to outages or degraded performance.
• Whether you have redundancy in place (e.g., multiple regions or failover instances).

The aggregator may monitor endpoint health and route traffic accordingly. High availability helps maintain user trust and ensures consistent payouts.

Payout Wallet Setup

Payouts are made in USDC on the Base network. To receive funds, you need:

• A wallet address that supports USDC on Base.
• The ability to securely manage the private keys for that wallet.
• Awareness of network fees for claiming or transferring USDC.

Double-check the address format and network before submitting. Sending USDC to an incompatible address can result in permanent loss.

Documentation and Support

Prepare concise documentation for your model, including:

• Model capabilities and limitations.
• Supported input/output formats.
• Any rate limits or quotas.
• Contact information for technical issues.

Clear docs reduce support requests and help users integrate faster.

Application Checklist

• [ ] API key with correct permissions and scopes.
• [ ] Official pricing details for input and output.
• [ ] Uptime commitments and maintenance schedule.
• [ ] USDC-on-Base wallet address ready.
• [ ] Model documentation drafted.
• [ ] Technical contact designated.

Once these items are ready, you can apply with confidence and start earning USDC for your model's usage.