Question 1

What exactly is Trustfy?

Accepted Answer

Trustfy is a peer-to-peer marketplace for trading USDT (a US dollar-pegged stablecoin) with other people, using local payment methods like bank transfer or mobile money. Instead of a company holding your money, a smart contract on BNB Smart Chain holds the USDT in escrow until both sides confirm the trade went through.

Question 2

Do I need to know anything about crypto to use Trustfy?

Accepted Answer

No. This guide assumes you've never touched crypto before. You'll need a free wallet app and a small amount of BNB for network fees — everything else, this guide walks you through.

Question 3

Which blockchain does Trustfy use?

Accepted Answer

BNB Smart Chain (BSC) only. Every wallet, every fee, and every transaction on Trustfy happens on BSC. Trustfy does not support Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, or any other network.

Question 4

Which crypto asset do I actually trade?

Accepted Answer

USDT (BEP20) — the BNB Smart Chain version of Tether, a stablecoin designed to always be worth about $1 USD. "BEP20" just means it's the BSC-native version of the token, as opposed to versions that exist on other chains.

Question 5

Is Trustfy a company that holds my money?

Accepted Answer

No. Trustfy is non-custodial — it never takes possession of your funds. Your USDT sits in an audited smart contract (immutable code running on the blockchain) that only releases funds according to rules both sides agreed to upfront.

Question 6

What does "TEP" mean?

Accepted Answer

TEP stands for the Trustfy Economic Protocol — the specific set of on-chain rules that govern bonds, fees, escrow, and dispute resolution on Trustfy. See the Understanding Trustfy chapter for a plain-English breakdown.

Question 7

Is Trustfy available in my country?

Accepted Answer

Trustfy supports dozens of local currencies and payment rails globally, and the list is growing. Check the Regions section on the homepage for the current list, or open the Marketplace and filter by your currency once you've connected a wallet.

Question 8

Does Trustfy have a mobile app?

Accepted Answer

Trustfy works as a full mobile web app in your phone's browser, and also runs inside Telegram as a Mini App. Native iOS and Android apps are coming soon.

Question 9

What wallet should I use?

Accepted Answer

MetaMask, Rabby, and Trust Wallet are all supported directly, and WalletConnect lets you use dozens of other mobile wallets by scanning a QR code. If you're brand new, Trust Wallet's mobile app is usually the easiest starting point.

Question 10

How much BNB do I need to get started?

Accepted Answer

A small amount goes a long way — most individual actions cost a fraction of a cent to a few cents worth of BNB. Keeping the equivalent of $3–5 in BNB in your wallet is more than enough to cover several transactions.

Question 11

Where do I buy BNB?

Accepted Answer

Most wallet apps (Trust Wallet, MetaMask) have a built-in "Buy" button that lets you purchase BNB with a card or bank transfer. You can also buy it on any major exchange and send it to your wallet address.

Question 12

What's a seed phrase and why does everyone warn me about it?

Accepted Answer

Your seed phrase (12–24 words) is the master key to your entire wallet. Anyone who has it can take everything in your wallet, permanently, with no way to reverse it. Trustfy — or anyone legitimate — will never ask for it. Write it on paper, store it somewhere safe, and never type it into a website or share it with anyone.

Question 13

What's the difference between a seed phrase and a private key?

Accepted Answer

Your seed phrase generates your private key(s) — think of the seed phrase as the master password and the private key as one specific key derived from it. Both must be kept completely secret; both give full control over your funds.

Question 14

Can Trustfy see or access my seed phrase?

Accepted Answer

Never. Trustfy never asks for it, never stores it, and has no way to access it. Your wallet app keeps it locally on your device — it never touches Trustfy's servers at all.

Question 15

My wallet says I'm on the wrong network. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Trustfy only works on BNB Smart Chain. Open your wallet's network selector and switch to "BNB Smart Chain" (sometimes shown as "BSC" or "Smart Chain"). Trustfy will also prompt you to switch automatically when it detects a mismatch — see the Wallet Setup chapter for screenshots.

Question 16

Can I use the same wallet on desktop and mobile?

Accepted Answer

Yes — your wallet is tied to your seed phrase, not a device. Import the same seed phrase into your wallet app on another device (carefully, and never over an insecure connection) to access the same funds and see the same trades on Trustfy.

Question 17

Can I switch wallets after I've started trading?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at any time — disconnect your current wallet and connect a different one from the same button in the header. Just remember your trade history and offers are tied to the wallet address that created them, not to "your account" in the abstract.

Question 18

What's the difference between an "ad" and a "trade"?

Accepted Answer

An ad (advertisement) is an open offer to buy or sell USDT at a stated price — like a listing. A trade is created the moment someone else matches part or all of that ad. One ad can produce several trades if different people match different portions of it.

Question 19

What's a "maker" and a "taker"?

Accepted Answer

The maker is whoever publishes the ad. The taker is whoever comes along and matches it. Makers set the terms; takers accept them by matching.

Question 20

Do I need USDT already to sell it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — as the seller, you need enough USDT in your wallet to fund the trade amount into escrow once a taker matches your sell ad (or, if you're the maker of a sell ad, your bond and fee are reserved upfront and the trade amount is deposited when a taker matches).

Question 21

What's a "floating price" on an ad?

Accepted Answer

Instead of a fixed price, a floating price is set as a percentage above or below the live market rate, and adjusts automatically as the market moves. This keeps your ad competitively priced without you having to edit it manually.

Question 22

What do Min and Max mean on an ad?

Accepted Answer

They're the smallest and largest amount a taker is allowed to match from that ad in a single trade. A $50–$500 ad means any single trade against it must fall between $50 and $500.

Question 23

Can I match only part of an ad?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as the amount you match falls within the ad's Min/Max range and doesn't exceed what's left unmatched on the ad.

Question 24

Can I cancel a trade after it's matched?

Accepted Answer

Not the matched slice itself — once a taker matches part of your ad, that trade runs its own independent lifecycle and can't be cancelled by either side (a dispute is the only way out of a bad matched trade). What you CAN cancel is any still-unmatched remainder of your own ad, as its maker — your first {FREE_CANCEL_COUNT} ad cancellations are free, then {CANCEL_PENALTY_PCT} of your Ad Bond is forfeited as a deterrent against spam. See the Bonds & Fees chapter for specifics.

Question 25

How do I know if someone is a trustworthy trader?

Accepted Answer

Every trader has a reputation score built from their completed trade history and ratings left by past counterparties. Check this before matching a large ad with someone new.

Question 26

Can I message the other trader?

Accepted Answer

Yes — every trade has a built-in chat where you and your counterparty can coordinate payment details, share proof of payment, and ask questions. This chat is also visible to an arbitrator if a dispute is opened.

Question 27

What happens to my ad once it's fully matched?

Accepted Answer

It moves to Fully Matched and stops accepting new takers. If you still want to trade, publish a new ad.

Question 28

Where does my USDT actually sit during a trade?

Accepted Answer

Inside the Trustfy smart contract — code deployed on BNB Smart Chain that nobody, including Trustfy, can unilaterally override. It only releases funds according to the rules: to the buyer on normal completion, back to the seller on a cancellation before funding or a buyer default, or per an arbitrator's ruling after a dispute.

Question 29

How long do I have to send payment after a trade is funded?

Accepted Answer

Each ad has its own maker-chosen time window (shown before you match, and as a live countdown once you're in a trade). Typically somewhere between {FUNDING_WINDOW_RANGE}, depending on the ad.

Question 30

What happens if the buyer never pays at all?

Accepted Answer

Once the payment window closes with no "I Have Paid" click, the seller (or, once the window elapses further, anyone) can claim buyer default. The seller gets their full Trade Amount back plus their own bond, dispute bond, and fee — nothing they put in was ever actually at risk. The buyer's Matching Bond is forfeited as a real penalty, though it goes to the platform treasury rather than to the seller — Trustfy never lets one trader collect a windfall from another's forfeited bond. Funding a trade you've been matched on is never a one-way risk: a non-paying buyer costs them something real, even though it isn't paid out to you directly.

Question 31

What does "Mark as Paid" actually do?

Accepted Answer

It's the buyer telling the seller and the smart contract, "I've sent the fiat payment." It does not release the USDT — it just moves the trade into a state where the seller can verify and release. Only mark a trade paid after you have actually sent the money.

Question 32

As a seller, how do I know the payment really arrived?

Accepted Answer

Check your actual bank or mobile money account balance directly — never trust a screenshot alone, since these can be faked. Only release USDT once you've independently confirmed the funds landed in your account.

Question 33

What happens if the seller never confirms after I've paid?

Accepted Answer

Once the Settlement Time Window elapses after you mark a trade paid, either you or the seller can trigger settlement, or you can open a dispute for an arbitrator to review the evidence and rule.

Question 34

Can I get a refund if I sent payment to the wrong account?

Accepted Answer

That's a fiat payment issue between you and your bank/payment provider, not something Trustfy or the smart contract can reverse. Always double-check the payment details the seller gives you in chat before sending.

Question 35

What if the buyer only partially paid, or we agree on a compromise?

Accepted Answer

Trustfy features built-in Pre-Dispute Mutual Partial Settlement. If the buyer only paid part of the fiat amount or both parties agree to compromise, the buyer signs an off-chain EIP-712 cryptographic authorization specifying the exact USDT amount to release. The seller submits it on-chain, and the smart contract immediately delivers the agreed share to the buyer and the remainder to the seller. Both parties receive 100% of their base bonds and dispute bonds back with zero penalties, and the trading fee is prorated. No arbitrator needed!

Question 36

Does Trustfy process my bank transfer or mobile money payment?

Accepted Answer

No — Trustfy never touches your fiat payment. That transfer happens directly between you and your counterparty through your own bank or mobile money app, entirely off-platform. Trustfy only escrows and releases the USDT side of the trade.

Question 37

Why do I need to post a bond just to trade?

Accepted Answer

A bond is a refundable deposit that gives you skin in the game. It discourages people from matching trades and then vanishing, or wasting a counterparty's time — because walking away costs them something real.

Question 38

Will I get my bond back?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in full, as long as the trade completes normally or is cancelled within your free cancellation allowance. Bonds are only partially forfeited on excess cancellations, or redistributed per an arbitrator's ruling if you lose a dispute.

Question 39

How big is the Ad Bond / Matching Bond?

Accepted Answer

Same rate either way — currently {AD_BOND_RATE_LINE}. It's called the Ad Bond when a maker posts it (creating an ad) and the Matching Bond when a taker posts it (matching one). Like every rate on this page, it's an admin-configurable parameter, not a permanent constant — see the next question.

Question 40

How big is the Dispute Bond?

Accepted Answer

Currently {DISPUTE_BOND_RATE_LINE} — set with a higher floor and ceiling than the Ad Bond / Matching Bond, so it still tends to come out larger in dollar terms. It backs the cost of arbitration if a disagreement needs a human ruling.

Question 41

What fees does Trustfy actually charge?

Accepted Answer

By default, a small maker fee and a slightly larger taker fee ({FEE_LINE}), each with a small minimum. Whoever referred you to Trustfy, if anyone, receives a share of that fee automatically — it never costs you extra.

Question 42

Are bond and fee percentages fixed forever, or can they change?

Accepted Answer

They can change — Trustfy's bond percentages, fee percentages, and their floors/ceilings are all parameters that platform governance can adjust over time through direct, publicly visible on-chain transactions, not hardcoded constants. Whatever the current rate is, it's always computed live and shown to you before you sign, and a trade already underway is never affected by a later change.

Question 43

Are bonds and fees separate from the amount I'm trading?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you're trading 100 USDT, your bond and fee are calculated as extra amounts on top, held separately and refunded/collected independently of the 100 USDT trade amount itself.

Question 44

Do I pay the bond and fee in USDT or BNB?

Accepted Answer

Bonds and fees are denominated in USDT, same as the trade itself. BNB is only used separately, in small amounts, to pay network gas for each transaction.

Question 45

What happens to a forfeited bond?

Accepted Answer

It's never handed to the other trader as a windfall. Forfeited amounts go toward the cost of running arbitration and platform upkeep, per the rules in the smart contract.

Question 46

When can I open a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Only after the buyer has marked the trade paid. The seller can dispute immediately if something looks wrong; the buyer has to wait until the Settlement Time Window elapses first, giving the seller a fair chance to verify and release normally.

Question 47

Who decides the outcome of a dispute?

Accepted Answer

An independent arbitrator — not Trustfy staff and not either trader — reviews the trade chat, submitted evidence, and timeline, then issues a binding ruling.

Question 48

What kind of evidence should I submit?

Accepted Answer

Bank statements or transaction receipts showing (or not showing) the payment, screenshots of your chat with the counterparty, and anything else that documents what actually happened. Screenshots alone are weak evidence — official statements are much stronger.

Question 49

How long does a dispute take to resolve?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the arbitrator's review, but the process is designed to move quickly since both bonds are locked while the dispute is open, which motivates a prompt resolution.

Question 50

What happens to the bonds after a ruling?

Accepted Answer

The arbitrator's ruling can award the trade amount fully to one side, split it, and adjust each party's bond and fee accordingly — the losing side typically forfeits some or all of its dispute bond toward the cost of arbitration.

Question 51

What happens if both parties had realistic claims in good faith?

Accepted Answer

Trustfy supports a Good-Faith Dispute Split. When an independent arbitrator determines that neither party acted dishonestly (for example, in the case of unexpected bank holds or partial payments), the arbitrator can rule a split without punitive slashing. The escrow principal is divided fairly, arbitrator compensation is shared 50/50 from the dispute bonds, and all remaining dispute bonds are refunded to both users with zero treasury forfeiture.

Question 52

Can I appeal an arbitrator's ruling?

Accepted Answer

The ruling is binding and executes automatically on-chain once submitted. This is why submitting complete, honest evidence the first time matters — treat the dispute review as your one real chance to make your case.

Question 53

Does opening a dispute cost anything extra?

Accepted Answer

You don't pay anything extra to open a dispute beyond the Dispute Bond you already posted when the trade started — but if you lose, part or all of that bond can be forfeited.

Question 54

What's the single most important security rule on Trustfy?

Accepted Answer

As a seller: never release USDT until you've personally, independently confirmed the fiat payment actually landed in your account. Once released, it cannot be pulled back.

Question 55

How do I spot a scam counterparty?

Accepted Answer

Watch for pressure to skip steps, fake payment screenshots, requests to communicate or pay outside the Trustfy chat, and brand-new accounts with no trade history offering unusually good rates. See the Security chapter for a full list.

Question 56

Will Trustfy ever ask for my seed phrase or private key?

Accepted Answer

Never, under any circumstance. Anyone claiming to be Trustfy support asking for this is impersonating Trustfy — do not share it, and report the account.

Question 57

Is it safe to click links sent by another trader in chat?

Accepted Answer

Treat any link sent by a counterparty with suspicion, especially ones asking you to "verify your wallet" or connect it somewhere. Trustfy never requires you to visit an external site mid-trade.

Question 58

How do I verify I'm sending USDT to the right address?

Accepted Answer

On Trustfy, you never manually paste a wallet address to trade — the smart contract handles the USDT transfer automatically based on the trade you're in. Manual sends only come up if you're moving funds into or out of your wallet directly, in which case always copy-paste and double-check the first and last few characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Wallet & Gas

Trading & Ads

Escrow & Payment

Bonds & Fees

Disputes

Security