Nexus implemented a redesigned vendor onboarding process in September 2025, significantly reducing the time from application submission to active vendor status for new Tier 1 applicants. The previous process required up to 5 business days and involved manual review at multiple stages; the new process combines automated verification with targeted manual review, achieving under 48-hour turnaround for straightforward applications.
The onboarding process for vendors begins with bond payment submission, identity-proof (establishing account age and previous market experience via signed message if applicable), and listing preparation. The automated component verifies PGP key validity, checks bond payment confirmation on the blockchain, and runs basic product listing content moderation checks.
What Changed
The primary change is the addition of an automated pre-screening layer that handles approximately 70% of applications without requiring manual review. Applications that pass automated checks proceed directly to a lightweight human review focused on policy compliance rather than identity verification. Applications with anomalies (inconsistent history claims, policy edge cases, unusual payment patterns) are flagged for full manual review.
The change was motivated by vendor feedback that the previous 5-day wait time was a significant deterrent, particularly for vendors with established reputations on other platforms who expected a faster transition. Reduced onboarding friction is expected to contribute to continued vendor count growth in Q4 2025 and beyond.
Importantly, the security properties of the vendor verification system remain unchanged — the bond requirement, PGP key requirement, and policy agreement process are all preserved. The streamlining reduces delay in the bureaucratic aspects of onboarding without relaxing the substantive requirements.