Frequently asked questions
Short answers on P2P trading, escrow, KYC and the Shiftal archive.
Questions and answers
What is P2P crypto trading?
It is buying and selling crypto directly with another person instead of with an exchange's own order book. A platform usually holds the seller's crypto in escrow while the buyer pays the seller by bank transfer, e-wallet or another method.
How does escrow protect a P2P trade?
The platform locks the crypto when the trade starts and releases it only after the seller confirms the payment arrived, or after support rules on a dispute. It protects against a seller who takes the money and keeps the coins. It does not protect you if you release crypto yourself before the money has really cleared.
Is P2P trading safe?
It can be, if you stay inside a reputable platform's escrow, check the other side's history, and never release crypto until funds are in your own account. Most losses come from skipping those steps. Read our scam checklist.
Do I need to verify my identity?
On most regulated platforms, yes. KYC checks are normal for exchanges and for many P2P services. Here is what to expect.
What happened to Shiftal and the SFL coin?
The Shiftal project published a P2P exchange and a utility coin, SFL, in 2020-2023. From late 2023 the shiftalcoin.com site showed only a default server page. We cannot confirm the current state of any Shiftal service. See the archive.
Can I buy or sell SFL here?
No. This site does not sell coins or run any exchange, and we do not track SFL markets. Be cautious about anyone offering SFL, and read our SFL page.
What is the difference between P2P and a centralized exchange?
On a P2P platform you trade with another user and pay them directly, while the platform escrows the crypto. On a centralized exchange you trade against the exchange's order book. See the comparison.
Why do P2P prices differ from the market price?
Advertisers add a premium or discount to cover payment risk, fees and their time. Compare several adverts.
Can a P2P payment be reversed?
Bank transfers are usually final once credited; cards and some wallets can be charged back. That is why platforms restrict reversible methods and why you should not release crypto until funds have cleared.
Why do exchanges ask for my ID?
To meet anti-money-laundering rules in the countries they serve. Read the KYC guide for what is typically requested.
Is this website the Shiftal exchange?
No. This is an independent information site and archive. It does not run an exchange, offer wallets or sell coins.
Where does your Shiftal information come from?
From archived copies of the original site in the Wayback Machine. We label every claim as published and do not verify it.