Model reputation as counterparty assurance gradient across four tiers

Add research on the journey from gamable opinion signals (reviews, ratings)
through observed metrics (PAYDEX, SLA stats), financial commitments (bonds,
escrow), and adjudicated outcomes (arbitration, courts). Resolve OpenQuestions:
no Reputation entity; use Reputation Signal, Performance Evidence, Commercial
Commitment, and Adjudication Outcome with Counterparty Assurance Gradient pattern.

research/commercial-identity/commercial-identity-synthesis.md

@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ From commercial theory and practice:
 1. **Attribution**: counterparties know **who** bears liability (legal person, BO, agent).
 2. **Commitment**: contracts, subscriptions, and payment authorizations create **costly exit**.
 3. **Evidence**: KYC, LEI, registry credentials, and credit files provide **verifiable history**.
-4. **Reputation**: PAYDEX, performance history, and repeat play increase **trust without re-verification**.
+4. **Reputation / assurance**: tiered reliance from opinion signals (reviews) through
+   observed metrics (PAYDEX) to committed stakes (bonds) and adjudicated outcomes
+   (courts) — see **Counterparty Assurance Gradient**.
 5. **Enforcement**: law of agency and contract makes promises **actionable** beyond platform ToS.
 
 Trust Relationship in canon should often be **justified by** Commercial Relationship +
@@ -87,6 +89,8 @@ Commercial Commitment + Evidence, not declared ad hoc.
   Organization/Legal Entity for KYC/CDD (not Ownership subtype).
 - **Registry Identifier** and **Proxy Commercial Identifier** — Reference layer
   subtypes with authority class, ICD scheme, and renewal lifecycle.
+- **Counterparty Assurance Gradient** — opinion → observed → committed →
+  adjudicated; Reputation Signal, Performance Evidence, Adjudication Outcome.
 
 ### Unchanged roots
 
@@ -116,7 +120,8 @@ Model as lifecycle events, not silent merges:
 - Payment Credential vs. authentication Credential boundary in PCI contexts.
 - Smart contracts and automated Commercial Commitment lifecycle.
 - Synonymity strength bands for LEI ↔ DUNS ↔ company reg crosswalks.
-- Reputation as first-class canon concept vs. Evidence Source aggregation.
+- Cross-platform reputation portability (Synonymity between Reputation Signals).
+- Smart-contract / oracle outcomes — observed vs. adjudicated tier placement.
 - Standard `control_basis` enum for Beneficial Ownership across jurisdictions.
 
 ## Source Notes in This Stack
@@ -130,6 +135,7 @@ Model as lifecycle events, not silent merges:
 - `salesforce-crm-commercial-record.md`
 - `beneficial-ownership-kyc-boi.md`
 - `registry-identifier-subtypes.md`
+- `reputation-assurance-gradient.md`
 - `../commercial-subscription/b2b-saas-subscriber-tenancy.md`
 - `../commercial-subscription/stripe-customer-billing.md`