How Trustap works for marketplaces and peer-to-peer transactions

Trustap is a secure online payment platform that protects both buyers and sellers of digital goods, physical items or services.

For marketplaces, as well as its own native peer-to-peer transactions, Trustap uses its Protection flow: an escrow-style transactions flow holding the buyer's funds in a secure vault until the transaction is successfully completed. Read below to learn how this works.

Note that the escrow-style hold is not standard for ecommerce, but is available as an additional feature. Most ecommerce platforms use Trustap Checkout flow, which does not hold funds in a secure vault.

In this article

1. How Trustap protects your money 2. How Trustap Protection Transactions Work 3. Why Use Trustap to buy or sell on a marketplace (or through our native App)? 4. Transaction types 5. Use Trustap on your marketplace 6. In summary 

How Trustap protects your money

When a buyer pays through Trustap Protection:

• Funds are held securely in the Trustap Vault instead of going directly to the seller.
• The seller only receives the money once the buyer has received and inspected the item or service.
• If there's a problem, Trustap's dispute resolution team can help resolve the issue fairly.

This process keeps your funds held securely until agreed conditions are met, reducing the risk of fraud for both buyers and sellers. Curious about the Trustap Vault? Read Where are the funds held and what is the Trustap Vault? to learn more about how it protects your money during transactions.

How Trustap Protection Transactions Work

Here's how a Trustap Protection transaction moves from payment to payout, in six steps:

1

Buyer sends payment

The buyer pays securely using a supported payment method — card, digital wallet, bank transfer, or local payment method.

2

Funds are secured

The payment is held in the Trustap Vault until the transaction is completed.

3

Seller sends the item or delivers the service

Delivery can happen through:

• Tracked shipping
• Digital transfer
• Face-to-face exchange
• Service delivery

4

Buyer receives the item

Once the item or service is received, the complaint period begins.

Complaint period begins 

5

Buyer inspects the item

The buyer checks that the item or service:

• Matches the description
• Is not defective
• Meets the agreed terms

If there is an issue, the buyer can file a complaint. Trustap will pause the transaction, hold the funds, and investigate.

6

Funds are released or refunded

If no complaint is filed, funds are released to the seller. If a valid complaint is upheld, the buyer may receive a refund.

Why Use Trustap Protection to buy or sell on a marketplace (or through our native App)?

Whether you're buying or selling on a marketplace, or through our native app, Trustap Protection gives both sides confidence in the transaction.

Benefits for Buyers

• Payment security: You don't pay the seller upfront. Trustap ensures the payment only goes to the seller once you're satisfied.
• Scam prevention: Our secure system reduces the risk of fraud or non-delivery.
• Multiple payment options: Pay with your preferred method and currency.

Benefits for Sellers

• Guaranteed payment: Trustap secures the buyer's payment before you ship or hand over the item.
• Privacy: No need to share your personal or financial information with strangers.
• Hassle-free refunds: If you're a professional seller, you don't need to handle chargebacks or refunds yourself — our team can take care of it for you.

More benefits for everyone

• Track your transaction: Follow the progress of a transaction in the app — or, for ecommerce merchants and marketplaces, directly on your dashboard. If the order is shipped, you can track the shipment in real time.
• Dispute resolution: If an issue occurs, the Trustap team mediates as a neutral party to find a fair solution.
• Professional support: Support experts are available to help with questions.

Transaction types

Trustap supports a range of transaction types:

• Buying or selling goods: Use Trustap for anything from electronics to clothes to antiques to vehicles, and even digital items.
• Hiring or providing services: Trustap is also convenient for hiring or offering services such as web design, writing, or photography.
• Renting or leasing property: Use Trustap to rent apartments, houses, or offices securely.

High-value transactions

We also support transactions exceeding $5,000. Get in touch to benefit from reduced fees and tailored support.

Use Trustap on your marketplace

Trustap Protection can be integrated into marketplaces using our API integration, allowing marketplaces to offer Trustap's secure payments — where funds are held safely until agreed conditions are met — directly to their users.

In summary

Trustap Protection makes online and in-person transactions safer and simpler by:

• Holding funds securely until agreed conditions are met.
• Reducing fraud and building confidence for buyers and sellers.
• Supporting flexible use cases — from goods to services and rentals.
• Providing dispute resolution and support.

Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Trustap today and enjoy transacting with peace of mind.

 

Need help? Contact our Support Team