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Bitcoin has revolutionized online transactions, making them faster and easier.
However, despite its convenience, there remains a challenge when dealing with unfamiliar parties due to Bitcoin’s pseudonymity and irreversible nature.
To address this concern, Bitcoin escrow services emerged as a trusted solution, acting as arbitrators in transactions between buyers and sellers.
While the popularity of Bitcoin escrow services has waned in recent years — largely due to the rise of multisig wallets, and other services — many individuals and businesses still prefer these services for their simplicity and additional features.
What Is Bitcoin Escrow Service?
A Bitcoin escrow service acts as a trusted intermediary.
It holds the buyer’s Bitcoin until the seller delivers the product or service within an agreed-upon timeframe.
Once the buyer confirms receipt and satisfaction, the Bitcoin is released to the seller.
Today’s Bitcoin escrow services offer more than just holding funds — they come with a variety of useful features. Let’s explore some of the top Bitcoin escrow services available today.
List of Top Bitcoin Escrow Services
1. IBC Group
IBC Group is a crypto fundraising platform along with providing Bitcoin escrow services since 2017.
In transactions conducted via IBC, the buyer must fund the transaction within a specified timeframe. Once IBC receives the funds, the product or service is delivered. If the buyer is satisfied, the funds are released to the seller.
The platform leverages smart contracts to streamline the process, allowing both parties to conduct unlimited transactions.
They’re a licensed escrow organization and enforce strict KYC/AML protocols, so they might request you to submit some personal information.
They charge a fixed fee of 1% for their services.
2. Coinsavr
Coinsavr is the Canadian base Bitcoin escrow service provider operating since 2018 (according to their X page).
With its user-friendly interface, Coinsavr makes escrow transactions easy to conduct. As a government-registered entity, your details are encrypted, and they provide an encryption key for added security.
Using Coinsavr escrow, you’ll have more freedom to do escrow transactions. For example, you can choose delivery time and date, and you can cancel the transaction if you’re not satisfied.
The service charges a fee of 1% + $2, which is non-refundable even in cases of disputes.
3. ESCRYPTO
ESCRYPTO is a US based crypto escrow service platform supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, BNB, and crypto wallets like Metamask Ledger.
Beyond basic escrow services, ESCRYPTO also offers a payment button that you can use on your website as an additional method by which to purchase goods and services. And gives brokers who take care of the crypto transaction, plus provides EaaS (Escrow as a Service) for businesses, where the platform offers a secure transaction arena that protects your company when trading with individuals or businesses that you’re unfamiliar with.
The platform uses an institutional-grade vault that requires both public and private keys to access, ensuring high-level security. Private keys are stored offline, making hacking nearly impossible.
ESCRYPTO also adheres to KYC, KYB, and AML regulations and operates globally.
On top of security and authenticity, the platform is user-friendly and fully licensed/pending/ on 3 continents.
Currently, ESCRYPTO offers two types of accounts, Personal and Business, with different/same features.
4. BTC-Asia
BTC-Asia is a simple crypto escrow platform focused primarily on Bitcoin, but it also supports ETH, LTC, XMR, BNB, and USDT transactions.
The platform offers a service guarantee of first $500.000 USD (4.000.000 HKD), or the total value of cryptocurrency in escrow if less than $500.000 USD (4.000.000 HKD). This coverage is guaranteed by the Hong Kong company HlSCOX, a cyber insurance operated by WeII Link Group Holdings Limited.
If any dispute occurs, BTC-Asia solves the issues or refunds the payment, which costs you around a 5% fee.
5. Whales Haven
Whales Haven is aiming to deal directly with peer-2-peer for any size OTC trading.
Their escrow is a multisig and noncustodial escrow service. As a multisig service, it ensures that a high level of security is attached to transactions carried out within the platform.
The platform is easy to use, and you can search for or post an auction deal with WhalesHeaven to attract potential customers.
Whales Haven also supports anonymous transactions, as KYC is optional. Transaction fees are low and may even be waived during promotional periods.
Final Thoughts…
Bitcoin escrow services may not be as popular as they were in Bitcoin’s early days, primarily due to the rise of multisig wallets.
However, these services still hold value for those seeking simplicity, trust, and security in their transactions.
While multisig wallets dominate much of the market, Bitcoin escrow services remain a reliable and user-friendly option for many businesses and individuals.
5 Best Bitcoin Escrow Platforms to Keep Your Crypto Deals Safe and Secure was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.