Never release crypto before payment confirmation
The single most important P2P safety rule for sellers.
Beginner 3 min readUpdated 5/27/2026
Risk warning. Crypto is volatile and trading involves risk, including the loss of your capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is educational and is not financial advice.
If you sell crypto on P2P, this is the rule that protects you: only release crypto after you have personally confirmed the money is in your own account.
Why
Scammers send fake "payment successful" screenshots, reversed payments, or payments from someone else's account. A screenshot is not proof. A pending transfer is not proof.
Always
- Open your own M-Pesa or bank app and confirm the exact amount actually arrived.
- Check the sender's name matches the buyer's verified name. A mismatch is a red flag — see Why third-party payments are risky.
- Never let a buyer rush or pressure you. If in doubt, open a dispute — the crypto stays safely in escrow.
Once you release escrow, it's gone. Confirm first, always.
This article is educational and is not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and trading involves risk.