Crypto Escrow: Frequently Asked Questions
Everything people ask before their first escrow transaction: costs, timing, safety, and what happens when a deal goes sideways.
Escrow Basics
What is crypto escrow and how does it work?
Crypto escrow is a neutral third party holding the buyer's cryptocurrency until the seller delivers. The buyer deposits, the deposit is verified on-chain, the seller delivers, the buyer confirms, and the funds are released. Neither side has to trust the other.
How long does crypto escrow take?
Deposits are verified after blockchain confirmation, usually under an hour. Releases are processed the same day the buyer confirms. The escrow can hold funds as long as the deal needs, at no extra cost.
Who pays the escrow fee, buyer or seller?
By default the buyer adds the flat 1% fee to the deposit so the seller receives the full agreed price. Parties can split it by agreement.
What cryptocurrencies do you support?
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT on TRC20 and ERC20), USD Coin (USDC) and Litecoin (LTC).
Safety
Is it safe to pay a vendor in crypto?
Only with protection. Crypto payments are irreversible, so paying a stranger directly leaves no recourse. Through escrow, the vendor is paid only after you confirm delivery.
How do I know this escrow service itself is legitimate?
Check what scam escrows never have: a published fee schedule, a written dispute policy, transaction references you can cite in correspondence, and a working support channel. Never use an escrow site from a link the counterparty sent you; navigate here yourself.
What happens if there is a dispute?
Either party can open a dispute while funds are in escrow. Both sides submit evidence in the transaction thread and a human reviewer decides whether funds are released to the seller or refunded to the buyer. Money never moves automatically during a dispute.
Process
How do I start an escrow transaction?
Create a free account, click "New Transaction", describe the deal, choose the currency and amount, and invite the other party by email. The transaction starts once they accept the terms.
How is the deposit verified?
Every deposit is manually verified on the blockchain by our operations team against the assigned deposit address and expected amount before the transaction is marked funded.
Can I cancel an escrow transaction?
Yes, freely before funds are deposited. After funding, cancellation requires both parties' agreement or a dispute decision, and the deposit is returned to the buyer.
Question not answered here? Contact support or read the full step-by-step process.