How P2P Crypto Escrow Works in Nigeria

On a P2P crypto marketplace, escrow is the safety mechanism that lets strangers trade without getting robbed — the platform holds the crypto until the naira payment is confirmed. Understanding escrow is the key to trading safely. This is general information, not advice.

How escrow works

• Seller posts an offer — crypto is locked in escrow by the platform.
• Buyer pays naira — directly to the seller, off-platform.
• Release — once payment is confirmed, escrow releases the crypto.

Where it goes wrong

Scams happen off-platform: fake payment proofs, chargebacks, or moving the deal to chat. Never release outside escrow, keep proof, and use reputable platforms — the same caution as avoiding scams. This is the mechanism behind P2P trading; for plain FX, the dollar routes avoid it entirely.