General

General

  • What is Paxful?

    Paxful is the leading peer-to-peer marketplace that lets you directly trade Bitcoin with people like you, all over the world. The community is 10 million strong and growing every day!

    So what can you actually do on Paxful's platform?

    • Connect with other Pax Citizens to buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC).
    • When selling cryptocurrency, you decide the price and the payment methods you'll accept. You control your financial future on Paxful!
    • Store your cryptocurrency in our free Wallet and transfer coins to other Paxful wallets for free!
    • No bank? No problem. With Paxful, you can use over 400 payment methods, including PayPal and other eWallets, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards.
    • With our escrow system and dedicated Customer Support team, Paxful is also extremely secure, and we’re constantly working to keep it that way.

    Paxful is built for the people. We aim to improve the financial lives of the 100%, not just the 1%.

     

  • Getting Started With Paxful

    Ready to have financial freedom? We'll walk you through signing up with Paxful so you can trade and store various cryptocurrencies.

    1. Start at the Paxful Account Registration Page

    If you’re starting from the Paxful home page, click Register.

    From there, you'll need to create your account with either your phone number or email address.

    Register_account_with_phone_number.png

    Once your account is created, you'll receive a free cryptocurrency wallet. This digital wallet is where you will store all of your hard-earned cryptocurrency. To learn more about the functions of this wallet and any restrictions, visit our Help Center’s section on Paxful Wallets. 

     

    2. Verify your Account

    Once you've created your account, you'll need to verify your phone number or email address (depending on what you used to create your account) using a code sent to your phone or email.

    There are several levels of verification that you can complete. These verification levels allow for different trading opportunities within the marketplace, and the verification process helps the security of the platform.

    Pro-Tip

    Take some time after you verify your account to familiarize yourself with the marketplace. You can take a tour of our platform by hitting Screen_Shot_2021-03-15_at_11.38.15_AM.png

    That’s it! Time to get trading🤘 

    Note:

    If you are located in certain states or certain countries, you may be unable to access Paxful at this time. For further information on countries that have banned access visit here.

  • Payment Methods

    Your convenience is one of our top priorities, that's why we've enabled 400+ ways for you to buy and sell cryptocurrency on Paxful. While some payment methods may be restricted based on where you live, you'll still have plenty of ways to trade in our marketplace. 

    Some of our most popular payment types include:

    1. Bank transfers (ACH, wire transfers, etc.)
    2. Credit/debit cards
    3. Online Wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, etc.)
    4. Altcoins (Ethereum, Litecoin)
    5. Gift cards

     

     

  • Gift card availability

    When trading cryptocurrency on Paxful, note that using gift cards as a payment method in the marketplace is currently available in the following countries:

    • Nigeria
    • Ghana
    • India
    • Vietnam
    • Cameroon
    • Philippines
    • Israel
    • Kenya
    • Pakistan

    Check out our hundreds of payment methods to buy or sell Bitcoin on Paxful!

    We are working on gradually restoring Paxful's functionalities. Refer to this page periodically for updates.

     

     

     

     

  • Paxful Fees

    Paxful has zero fees when you buy or receive crypto. We also offer a competitive fee structure so you get to keep more of your money. 

     

    Trading Cryptocurrency

    Payment Group Sell Buy
    Bank Transfer

    1%

    no fee
    Other Bank Transfer 1% no fee
    Credit/Debit Card 1% no fee
    Digital Currency 1% no fee
    Online Wallet 1% no fee
    Cash 1% no fee
    Goods & Services 1% no fee
    Gift cards 5% no fee

     

    Buying Cryptocurrency

    • When buying cryptocurrency from another user on Paxful, you are buying at a rate set by the sellers themselves. These rates vary based on numerous factors such as your verification status, payment method, currency pair (such as USD, EUR, CNY), and order size.

    Selling Cryptocurrency

    • This escrow amount is deducted from your Paxful Wallet at the beginning of the trade. Upon successful completion of the trade, Paxful receives the escrow fee. If the trade is not completed, the cryptocurrency is released from escrow back to the cryptocurrency seller—Paxful takes no fee.
    • Some kiosk trades may require a fee in addition to Paxful's escrow fee. For more information about kiosk trades, check out this article from our Help Center. 

     

    Sending and Receiving Bitcoin

    Wallet Type Send Receive
    External Wallet $0 - $9.99 = 0.00008 BTC fee
    $10 - $19.99 = 0.00016 BTC fee
    $20+ = 0.0004 BTC fee
    no fee
    Internal Wallet

    Up to 1,000 USD per month for free (between all cryptocurrencies)

    After 1,000 USD is reached, a fee of 1 USD or 1% of the amount being sent, whichever is greater, is applied

    no fee

     

    Sending and Receiving Tether (USDT)

    Wallet Type Send Receive
    External Wallet

    Dynamic Ethereum or Tron network fee + Paxful Wallet fee

    Paxful Wallet fee breakdown:

    $0 - $9.99 = 1 USDT fee
    $10 - $19.99 = 2 USDT fee
    $20+ = 5 USDT fee

    no fee
    Internal Wallet

    Up to 1,000 USD per month for free (between all cryptocurrencies)

    After 1,000 USD is reached, a fee of 1 USD or 1% of the amount being sent, whichever is greater, is applied 

    no fee

     

     

    Sending and Receiving USD Coin (USDC)

    Wallet Type Send Receive
    External Wallet

    Dynamic Ethereum network fee + Paxful Wallet fee

    Paxful Wallet fee breakdown:

    $0 - $9.99 = 1 USDC fee
    $10 - $19.99 = 2 USDC fee
    $20+ = 5 USDC fee

    no fee
    Internal Wallet

    Up to 1,000 USD per month for free (between all cryptocurrencies)

    After 1,000 USD is reached, a fee of 1 USD or 1% of the amount being sent, whichever is greater, is applied

    no fee
    • USDC is only available to send and receive on the Ethereum network. Make sure that you use an ERC-20 address.

     

    Sending and Receiving Ethereum (ETH)

    Wallet Type Send Receive
    External Wallet

    Dynamic Ethereum network fee + Paxful Wallet fee

    Paxful Wallet fee breakdown:

    $0 - $9.99 = 0.0005 ETH fee
    $10 - $19.99 = 0.001 ETH fee
    $20+ = 0.002 ETH fee

    no fee
    Internal Wallet

    Up to 1,000 USD per month for free (between all cryptocurrencies)

    After 1,000 USD is reached, a fee of 1 USD or 1% of the amount being sent, whichever is greater, is applied

    no fee

     

    Lightning

    Wallet Type Send Receive
    External Wallet

    1% of the amount being sent

    no fee

     

    Converting Cryptocurrency 

    Conversion Type Fee
    All cryptocurrency conversions 0.5%

     

    Paxful Stablecoin

    The quoted price you receive from the Stablecoin Counterparty is inclusive of all fees and charges. This quoted price may include additional fees charged by the Stablecoin Counterparty and/or third-party fees necessary to facilitate this transaction. Please note that this is a separate fee from a third party and Paxful is not responsible for nor calculates such third-party fee.

     

     

  • Is Paxful Legit and Safe?

    Your security is our highest priority, that's why we've taken extreme security measures to keep users safe in the marketplace.

    We have a strict verification process that helps ensure we know our customers, an army of dispute and fraud prevention analysts to help make sure trades run smoothly and to keep bad actors away from the marketplace. We also have an escrow feature in place where the crypto being traded is safely held until the trade is complete. This safeguards your money and helps make sure the crypto goes to the right party in case of disputes.

    We use BitGo as our wallet service provider, which is one of the most secure and high-tech services on the market. Additionally, we provide you with all means to protect your funds within your Paxful account, like setting up two-factor authentication when you log into your account and send crypto out of your Paxful wallet.

    To top it all off, we have some of the best cybersecurity professionals on our team that work around the clock to make sure our users and platform are safe from harm and hackers. 

    If you’re looking for more information on your safety in the marketplace, check out these articles:

    Is Paxful trustworthy?

    Paxful has an AML policy, we comply with Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") sanctions, we’re a regulated financial entity, and we’re trusted by over 5 million users. See what our users have to say about us through our reviews!

See all 7 articles

Buy and Sell Cryptocurrency

Buying Cryptocurrency

  • Changes to Indian income tax laws

    Beginning July 1, 2022, income tax law in India will require income taxes to be paid for the transfer, meaning the sale or exchange, of any virtual digital asset (VDA) such as cryptocurrency. Anyone who purchases cryptocurrency from a buyer located in India will be required to pay a 1% tax on the sale, regardless of where the buyer is located.

    This tax isn't collected or remitted by Paxful, as all members of our community are responsible for reporting their income to the appropriate government agencies and paying any applicable taxes. For more information about this change check out our blog post

    If you'd like more information about tax law or your specific circumstances, you'll want to contact a legal or tax professional.

  • What are Paxful Verified Offers?

    So you've signed up for Paxful - welcome! Time to start trading! 

    We know that choosing an offer can be challenging at first. Which one do you pick? Who can you trust?

    You'll now be able to find offers that have been verified by Paxful from trusted members of our community.

    How do I use Paxful Verified Offers?

    Screen_Shot_2022-05-11_at_7.46.41_PM.png

    When searching for offers in the Marketplace, enter your search criteria, like the type of cryptocurrency you'd like to buy, your payment method and currency, and how much you'd like to purchase.

    To make sure you're only seeing Paxful Verified Offers, you'll want to click the toggle for this option.

    Screen_Shot_2022-05-11_at_8.00.25_PM.png

    You can then click 'Find Offers', and you'll be shown the offers that match your criteria. All of these offers have been verified by Paxful, and the sellers are in good standing in our community. 

    Happy trading!

  • Buying Cryptocurrency

    In this guide, we'll teach you how to buy your first cryptocurrency on the Paxful marketplace in three simple steps. If you want to create your own offer, please see our article on creating offers

    Video

    Here’s a short video on how to buy Bitcoin instantly:

    Step 1 Setting up search requirements

    1. Create an account or log in to your Paxful account, hover over the Buy arrow, and click your preferred cryptocurrency.

    Click-buy-crypto-type.png

    The page with offers to buy cryptocurrency appears.

    Tip: Using your phone? Click the hamburger icon and choose one of the options from the list that appears.

    2. Click Show All or Any payment method field and select your preferred payment method to buy crypto on the dialog box that appears.

    Alternatively, click View offers for all payment options to see the list of all payment methods available.

    3. Click Any currency and select your currency from the list. Enter the amount you want to trade in the Any amount field.
    You can leave the Any amount field empty if you do not have any specific amount in mind.

    4. Select your country from the Location list.

    5. Click SEARCH FOR OFFERS. The offer list is updated according to your search requirements.

    Buying2.png

    Step 2 Finding an offer

    1. Browse through the list of offers.
    The list begins with offers that have:

    • Sellers with the best rating and reputation.
    • Sellers who are the most active on the platform and are ready for instant trade.
    • The most profitable margin.

    Check the tags and labels for additional information about an offer. When you find an offer you like, click Buy.

    Buying3.png

    Note: Your trade hasn’t started yet, at this point.

    The Offer page appears.

    Study all details of the offer such as:

    • Buying limits — is the offered amount neither too low nor too high?
    • Seller’s rate — does it look profitable for you?
    • Time limit — will you manage to execute the payment within this timeframe?
    • Offer terms — is the seller requesting additional documents or having specific requests as part of the trade procedure?

    Offer_temrsNew2.0.png

    2. Enter the amount you are ready to trade in the traditional currency field or cryptocurrency field. Click BUY NOW.
    You can click Take a Tour to receive a walk-through of the process in case you have any questions or doubts.

    Buying5.png

    The Trade chat page appears.

    Note: At the moment when the trade starts, the cryptocurrency rate is fixed and will not fluctuate.

    Step 3 Trading

    1. Discuss the necessary details with your partner using our trade chat and follow their instructions carefully.

    5-buying-following-instructionsEDIT.png

    2. Make the payment.
    After making the payment, click I have paid.

    Buying7NEW.png

    The Self Declaration dialog box appears.
    3. Click Yes, I have paid.

    Note:

    • You can always cancel the trade by clicking the Cancel button.
      • If you have already sent a valid payment, never cancel the trade. Please keep in mind that the cryptocurrency will be released from the escrow system and sent back to the seller once the trade has been canceled. Instead, submit a dispute to lock the cryptocurrency in the escrow system and notify our moderators of the situation so they can help sort things out between you and your trade partner.
      • You should only cancel a trade if you're not ready to send the payment and/or disagrees with your trade partner's offer terms.
    • In case of any trouble or disagreement, click Dispute to invite our moderators to investigate the case.

    The seller releases the cryptocurrency from the trade escrow to your Paxful wallet. At this time, the trade is now completed successfully. 

    Tip:

    • After the seller of cryptocurrency has released funds from the trade escrow into your Paxful wallet, consider leaving feedback. This helps other traders to understand who they are dealing with.
    • You can click Click to add Username to your contacts to quickly trade with them in the future to add a user to your Trade Partners list. This will help you to create your own trading community with users you trust.
    • If you need a public receipt of the BTC transaction, click Public receipt on the bottom of the page.

    Check our tips for buying cryptocurrency for more information. In case if you want to sell cryptocurrency, explore the following guide.

     

  • Tips for Buying Cryptocurrency

    Buying cryptocurrency can be tough at first, so we've prepared a guide to get you started and help you complete a trade on Paxful.

    The minimum trade amount on Paxful.

    If you’re buying Bitcoin, the current minimum is 10 USD or its equivalent in other currencies. If you’re selling, then the minimum is 0.001 BTC.

    The seller’s reputation and activity.

    A seller’s reputation is displayed with a green thumb. Screen_Shot_2022-03-11_at_5.18.37_PM.png This is the total of all of the positive feedback the seller has received.

    Clicking on the seller's name will show their full profile, where you can see how much negative feedback they've received in addition to the positive. You can also see their location, all of their active offers, and other important information about them.

     
    Pay attention to each type of feedback: positive and negative.
    For example, despite having more than 10,000 positive feedback scores and 1000 negative feedback, you should still be cautious about such a user. Pay attention to the percentage of negative feedback in relation to the negative and positive ones. Also, do not forget to check for how long a user is present on our platform.
    It is also much better if the seller is ID-verified. This means that we have checked his documents and background.
    Additionally, check when the seller was last seen online on Paxful. This will help to make sure that you will have a quick trade without any delays from the seller’s side.
    reputation.png

    Always read the terms of the offer and the seller's instructions before you start a trade.

    Sellers should mention what they expect and what you will need to provide. For example, for gift cards, many sellers require a receipt showing that the gift card was bought legally and also to establish that you are indeed the owner of the gift cards. If this information is requested and you cannot provide it, then it is better not to proceed with the trade. If you can provide all the requirements, then make sure you have everything ready before you start the trade.

    Be aware of the price.

    The Bitcoin price on Paxful is never equal to its official market rate as sellers charge a fee to convert traditional currency into Bitcoin. The price of the fee varies among sellers and depends on who you buy from. So be on the lookout for the best deals. The offer page always includes the rate of each seller. What should interest you the most is how much you get on dollar. The higher the number, the more profitable the trade will be for you.
    price.png
    Screenshot_2020-02-14_at_13.51.56.png

    Click the Paid button only when you have actually paid.

    Once you’ve clicked the Paid button, the countdown timer stops and the order can no longer expire. This is important because if you had sent the seller the payment info such as a gift card code and the offer expires, then the escrow is released and you won’t get your cryptocurrency. The Paid button also provides security from dishonest or forgetful sellers. If you click the Paid button and you haven’t paid, the seller might think you’re a coin-locker or someone trying to scam them. Be sure to click the button only once you’ve paid to prevent complications.

     

    Don't cancel the trade after you've already paid.

    We know that problems sometimes arise during trades, but it's important to never cancel the trade after you've already paid the seller. If you've paid for your crypto but something has gone wrong, you can start a dispute! Beginning a dispute brings a Paxful Moderator in to help with the situation. If you cancel the trade, Moderators aren't able to help, and getting a resolution will take longer.

     

    Brokering gift card codes is strictly prohibited on Paxful.

    Brokering is when you buy a gift card code from someone, thinking you can sell it later to someone else. Even if you checked the code when you bought it, the person who sold you the code can use it anytime without your knowledge, and this is why it is against the Paxful Terms of Service. If you keep trying to give sellers used codes, you will be reported and banned from trading on Paxful as it is not only a waste of your own time but also that of others. Remember to only use gift cards you have bought yourself.

    Using third parties for making payments is not allowed.

    You must be the actual payer and be the original owner of the submitted payment (Owner of the gift card, credit card, bank account, an account of online payment platform). Being a middleman in paying for the cryptocurrency is not allowed and can be considered as a scam.

    Always trade for the whole amount of the gift card.

    If you have a $50 gift card, then you can’t trade for a fraction of that (ex. Asking someone to take only $33 only out of your $50). Note that the seller can only take the whole amount so if you start order for $33 and he takes $50, the only way to get your change back in cryptocurrency is by starting a new trade for the difference. Seller’s ranges may not meet that amount or the seller may take down their offers or go offline.

     Never ask the seller to release the cryptocurrency first.

    This is grounds for an instant ban as it indicates a scam. We have a trade escrow service so you know the crypto is there and waiting for you once you complete the payment.

     Be polite to sellers.

    They go through a lot of tough customers and being polite can save you a lot of time. Being polite is about a lot more than your language; it’s about following their instructions as well. Note that if there is a dispute, the moderator will take language into account.

     Not Interested? Cancel!

    If you are no longer interested in the trade and have not yet paid the seller, feel free to cancel the trade. It will free their escrow and let them continue to trade with others who are interested. If you don’t cancel the trade and leave it hanging, the seller will have to file a dispute or report you, which will probably result in you getting negative feedback. You can see all of your active trades on your dashboard. Click Chat to open the trade, and click Cancel to cancel them.


    Also, remember that any price negotiation is strictly forbidden. If you do not like the offer, do not insist on changing the price in the same trade. Just start a new trade with new values to avoid any disputes or misunderstandings with the seller.

  • Buying Cryptocurrency with In-game Items

    Paxful allows you to trade cryptocurrency for in-game items from popular video games such as skins, weapons, game balance, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

    Before trading

    Before you start buying cryptocurrency for in-game items, make sure you have the means to prove if the item was actually transferred to your trade partner. Whether you choose a game currency, boost, or skin, you must ensure you have the means to verify the transition of the item.

    Warning:

    • Selling accounts is prohibited. 
    • Don’t disclose any information (eg. your Paxful or game account login details) to the sellers.
    • Don’t take the risk by transacting outside of Paxful trade flow as it isn’t protected by Paxful secure escrow.

    Trading

    Searching for an offer

    The first step to buying cryptocurrency for game items is to look for an offer that accepts this type of payment. You can also specify the amount you wish to buy and the currency you prefer.

    Choose the best rate of cryptocurrency to have the highest profit possible. Also, pay attention to the reputation of your potential trade partner. And finally, read through the offer terms and trade instructions carefully. 

    Talk to your trade partner in the trade chat. Clarify how exactly the in-game item will be delivered and decide whether your trade partner is okay with the product before proceeding. 

    Creating an offer

    To buy crypto for game items, you can also create your own offer.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Set a margin you find profitable as no negotiations are allowed during the trade.
    • Write clear offer terms and instructions.
    • Use offer labels to highlight essential information such as the item type and the name of a game.
    • Consider including FAQs section—think what questions trade partners may ask.
    • If necessary, mention the following:
      • the game server where the exchange should take place;
      • will the delivery happen “face to face”, via game mail, or any other in-game exchange channel;
      • required game character level, etc.
    • Be clear about what proof of payment you can offer to your trade partner, for example, screenshots of an in-game transaction.

    Once you’ve created and published your personalized offer, wait for a seller to start the trade with you. Once a trade has started, you will receive a notification. Feel free to discuss all the necessary details with your trade partner on the trade chat, and proceed accordingly.

    Completing a trade

    Once you have provided all the documents requested by the seller, click Paid. The last step will be for the seller to confirm receiving the payment. Please be patient because this may take some time. Once the seller has confirmed the payment, they should release the crypto to you and the trade will be complete.

    Tip: Do take a screenshot of your proof and keep it as it may be useful in case of a dispute.

    After a trade

    Once the trade is completed, you can leave appropriate feedback for your trade partner. Also, if you like trading with the user, you can add them to your trusted list.

    See our step-by-step guide on how to buy cryptocurrency and tips on how to buy cryptocurrency.

  • Buying Cryptocurrency with Gold

    Gold is one of the most valuable commodities whose value increased over time. On Paxful, you can trade your cryptocurrency for gold. Here’s everything you need to know about trading with gold. 

    Before trading

    Before you start buying cryptocurrency with gold, make sure you have a trustworthy source for the gold. One of the ways to obtain gold is to order it on a website and have it shipped to a specific address. If you decide to use your own private source or to deliver the gold in person yourself, you still must ensure minimal risk.

    When you try to pay with gold to buy cryptocurrency, your potential trade partners may request the following as proof to validate the transaction:

    • Proof of purchase (a receipt).
    • Certificate of authenticity for the gold item.
    • Photo of your ID.
    • Photo of the actual gold item you are offering.
    • The tracking number issued by the parcel service (in case the gold is being shipped to them directly).

    Trading 

    Searching for an offer

    The first step to buying cryptocurrency with gold is to look for an offer that accepts this type of payment. You’ll also need to enter the amount you wish to purchase and the currency you prefer.

    Choose the best rate of cryptocurrency to have the highest profit possible. Also, pay attention to the reputation of your potential trade partner and choose the location carefully, to ensure that you can deliver the gold to your trade partner. And finally, read through the offer terms and trade instructions carefully. Note that cryptocurrency sellers may request additional verification and have other specific requirements for verifying proof of payment.

    Talk to your trade partner in the trade chat. Clarify how you will deliver the gold and whether your trade partner is okay with what you are offering. 

    Tip:

    • Prefer public places for trades in person.
    • Use trackable shipping methods for delivery by mail.

    Creating an offer

    To buy cryptocurrency with gold, you can also create your own offer.
    Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Set a margin you find profitable and agreeable as no negotiations are allowed during the trade.
    • Write clear offer terms and instructions.
    • Be clear about what proofs of payment you are willing to present for the gold you possess.
    • For in-person trades, be very clear about the meeting location and exchange procedure.

    Once you’ve created and published your personalized offer, wait for a seller to start a trade with you. Once a trade has started, you will receive a notification. Feel free to discuss all the necessary details with your trade partner on the trade chat, and proceed with the trade accordingly.

    Completing a trade

    Once you have provided all the documents requested by the cryptocurrency seller, click Paid. From this point, you will have 21 days to deliver the gold to the trade partner whether by post or in person. If the seller does not confirm receiving the gold within this timeframe a dispute will start automatically and our moderators will step in for assistance.

    Note: Calculation of 21 days starts from the moment the trade is marked as Paid.

    The last step will be for the cryptocurrency seller to confirm receiving the payment. Please be patient because this may take some time. Once the seller has confirmed the payment, they should release the crypto to you and the trade will be complete. 

    After a trade

    Once the trade is completed, you can leave appropriate feedback for your trade partner. Also, if you like trading with the user, you can add them to your trusted list

    ID and address verification

    Another important aspect to consider is your ID and address verification. You must complete your ID verification and address verification to trade with gold. This verification is important to protect our cryptocurrency sellers from any fraudulent activity. Therefore, it is not possible to trade crypto for gold or vice versa without being fully verified on Paxful.

    Note: Full verification is mandatory for offers and trades that start from 50 USD.

    See our step-by-step guide on how to buy cryptocurrency and tips on how to buy cryptocurrency.

See all 14 articles

Selling Cryptocurrency

  • Selling Cryptocurrency

    You can sell cryptocurrency and get paid using 350+ payment methods. Here's how you can find buyers by browsing existing offers on Paxful.

    Video

    Step 1 Setting up search requirements

    Step 2 Finding an offer

    Step 3 Trading

    Video

    Here’s a short video on how to sell Bitcoin instantly:

    Step 1 Setting up search requirements

    1.  Create an account or log in to your Paxful account, hover over the Sell arrow, and click your preferred cryptocurrency.

    click-sell-crypto-type.png

    The page with offers to sell cryptocurrency appears.

    Tip: Using your phone? Click the hamburger icon and choose one of the options from the list that appears.

    2. Click Show All or Any payment method field and select your preferred payment method to sell crypto on the dialog box that appears.

    Alternatively, click View offers for all payment options to see the list of all payment methods available.

    3. Click Any currency and select your currency from the list. Enter the amount you want to trade in the Any amount field.

    You can leave the Any amount field empty if you do not have any specific amount in mind.

    4. Select your country from the Location list.

    5. Click FIND OFFERS. The offer list is updated according to your search requirements.

    sell_crypto_details.png

    Step 2 Finding an offer

    1. Browse through the list of offers.

    The list begins with offers that have:

    • Buyers with the best rating and reputation.
    • Buyers who are the most active on the platform and are ready for instant trade.
    • The most profitable margin.

    Check the tags and labels for additional information about an offer. When you find an offer you like, click Sell.

    Selling3.png

    Note: Your trade hasn’t started yet, at this point.

    The Offer page appears.

    Study all details of the offer such as:

    • Selling limits — is the offered amount neither too low nor too high?
    • Buyer’s rate — does it look profitable for you?
    • Offer terms — is the buyer requesting additional documents or having specific requests as part of the trade procedure?
    • Paxful fee — this fee depends on the payment method you choose.

    Selling4.png

    2. Enter the amount you are ready to trade in the traditional currency field or cryptocurrency field. Click SELL NOW.

    Selling5.png

    3. In a dialog box that appears, click I understand the risk, proceed to sell.

    4. A new caution dialog box appears. Confirm reading the warning by clicking I understand.

    The Trade chat page appears.

    Note:

    • When the trade starts, the cryptocurrency rate is fixed and will not fluctuate.
    • Cryptocurrency is moved from your personal Paxful wallet to the trade’s secure escrow.

    Step 3 Trading

    1. Discuss the necessary details with your partner using our trade chat and follow their instructions carefully.

    6-sellingEDIT.png

    2. Once your trade partner has made the payment, click Release.

    Selling8.png

    Double-check if the amount sent to you is correct. Confirm sending BTC to the buyer by clicking Release in a dialog box that appears.

    Selling9.png

    Note:

    • Only the buyer can cancel the trade.
    • In case of any trouble or disagreement, click Dispute to invite our moderators to investigate the case.
    • You can click Report a problem to file a report.
    • If the trade expires, you can reopen it by clicking Reopen escrow.

    You release BTC from the trade escrow to buyer's Paxful wallet. The trade is completed successfully. 

    Tip:

    • After a trade, consider leaving feedback to your trade partner. This helps other traders to understand who they are dealing with.
    • You can click Click to add Username to your contacts to quickly trade with them in the future to add a user to your Trade Partners list. This will help you to create your own trading community with users you trust.
    • If you need a public receipt of the BTC transaction, click Public receipt on the bottom of the page.

    Warning: If your country is in the OFAC grey list, selling cryptocurrency requires you to verify your ID.

    Selling10.png

    Check our tips for selling cryptocurrency for more information. In case you want to buy crypto, see the following guide. If you want to create your own offer, please see our article on creating offers

  • Rules for Selling Cryptocurrency

    If you are a Paxful seller, make sure to follow our basic rules when selling cryptocurrency to keep the marketplace safe and secure.

    1. Accept your responsibility for possible risks.

    We at Paxful do as much as possible to increase the level of security on our platform. However, you, as a seller, should accept all risks and liabilities that come with trading. It is up to you to protect yourself from malicious users and obvious scams. Check our security guide and safety tips for more information.

    2. Brokering gift card codes is strictly prohibited on Paxful.

    Brokering is when you buy a gift card code from a third party and resell it later to someone else. This goes against the Paxful Terms of Service and is strictly prohibited. This rule applies both to e-codes and physical gift cards. 

    3. Be responsive to buyers.

    • If you are not at your computer, please deactivate all your offers. You can easily do it from your Dashboard. This will also help you avoid having your BTC locked in a trade escrow if a buyer starts a trade during your absence.

    • When a buyer starts a trade with you, say “Hi” and let them know you are ready to trade.
      Example: “Hi, I am ready, please follow the instructions and you can have your cryptocurrency in no time!“. This message may sound too simple and obvious. However, according to our statistics, a high number of canceled trades are due to an unresponsive seller. Please show to the buyer that you are ready.

    4. Maintain a civil tone with your trade partners.

    Offensive language and disrespectful tone are not allowed on our platform. Be understanding to buyers as some of them may lack trading experience. If you face any serious issue with your trade partner, do invite our moderators by starting a dispute.

    5. Write clear offer terms and trade instructions.

    • Have both offer terms and trade instructions in a simple short bulleted or numbered list. Read more on how to write good offer terms and trade instructions. This is relevant when creating your own offer.

    • If you have special payment-related procedures that may delay the release of cryptocurrency for a longer period, make it clear for the buyer. This must be frankly stated in your offer terms and trade instructions. You must make sure that the buyer understands that the release of cryptocurrency may be reasonably delayed. Release time may not exceed the time stated in your terms. (Remember that Paxful advertises p2p service as instant.)

    • Write concise offer terms. The buyer sees offer terms before he starts the trade. It may contain important information about the trade.

      Example: uploading a photo of ID, uploading a cash receipt, accepting physical gift cards only, etc.

      Note that buyers avoid offers with complicated terms. Clear offer terms also give advantage in case of a dispute. Never leave this section blank while creating an offer.

    • Write clear trade instructions. Trade instructions are shown to a buyer once a trade starts. Instructions give additional guidance to your trade partner and should consist of clear steps.

    • Provide your customers with helpful aids and examples if necessary. For example, if you require them to upload a selfie with a photo ID, then put an example picture.

    6. Be aware of the minimum trade amount on our platform.

    It’s important that you know what the minimum trade amount set on Paxful. Currently, the minimum trade amount is 10 USD to buy cryptocurrency. If you are selling cryptocurrency, the minimum is 0.001 BTC.

    7. Do not use third parties for payments. 

    You are the person responsible for accepting and processing payments. If you have no control over the payment and you transfer responsibility to others, this can be considered as fraud. For example, in the case of bank transfer, you should be the account owner, in the case of altcoins, you should be the owner of the wallet, etc.

    8. Off-escrow trades are not allowed.

    It’s important that you do not give other users your contact information to do a trade outside Paxful trade flow. Paxful escrow must be used at all times or your account may be banned. By avoiding paying escrow fees to our platform while trading outside our escrow service, you expose your BTC to much higher risk as our investigation team will not be able to assist you in case of an argument.

    9. Price negotiations are strongly forbidden.

    A buyer of cryptocurrency must pay the exact price that is set for trade. If during a trade both sides agree to change the amount, a new trade must be re-opened for the correct amount. Price negotiations within the same trade are against our Terms of Service.

    Check our guide on how to sell cryptocurrency on Paxful to have an overview of our trade flow.

     

  • Selling Cryptocurrency for In-game Items

    In addition to gift cards with a game balance, some games offer an option to gift in-game items such as resources, skins, weapons, etc. We are happy to offer you an opportunity to sell crypto for in-game items. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

    Before trading

    Before you start selling cryptocurrency for in-game items, make sure you have the means to check if the item was actually transferred to you. Whether you choose a game currency, boost, or skin, you must ensure you have the means to verify the transition of the item.

    Warning:

    • Buying accounts is prohibited.
    • Don’t return the in-game item under any circumstances after you have received it.
    • Don’t take the risk by transacting outside of Paxful trade flow as it isn’t protected by Paxful secure escrow.

    Trading

    Searching for an offer

    The first step to selling cryptocurrency for game items is to look for an offer that accepts this type of payment. You can also specify the amount you wish to sell and the currency you prefer.

    Choose the best rate of cryptocurrency to have the highest profit possible. Also, pay attention to the reputation of your potential trade partner. And finally, read through the offer terms and trade instructions carefully. 

    Talk to your trade partner in the trade chat. Clarify how exactly the in-game item will be delivered to you and decide whether you are okay with the product before proceeding.

    Note: If after the trade has started you are being offered an item that is different from the advertised one, be extra cautious.

    Creating an offer

    To sell crypto for game items, you can also create your own offer.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Set a margin you find profitable as no negotiations are allowed during the trade.
    • Write clear offer terms and instructions.
    • Use offer labels to highlight essential information such as the item type and the name of a game.
    • Consider including FAQs section—think what questions trade partners may ask.
    • If necessary, mention the following:
      • the game server where the exchange should take place;
      • will the delivery happen “face to face”, via game mail, or any other in-game exchange channel;
      • required game character level, etc.
    • Be clear about what proof of payment you expect from your trade partner, for example, screenshots of an in-game transaction.

    Once you’ve created and published your personalized offer, wait for a buyer to start the trade with you. Once a trade has started, you will receive a notification. Feel free to discuss all the necessary details with your trade partner on the trade chat, and proceed accordingly.

    Completing a trade

    Once you’ve received the item and the buyer has marked the trade as “Paid”, you can release the cryptocurrency from the trade escrow. Click the Release button only if you are absolutely sure about receiving the payment. Remember that cryptocurrency transactions are final and irreversible.

    After a trade

    Once the trade is completed, you can leave appropriate feedback for your trade partner. Also, if you like trading with the user, you can add them to your trusted list.

    See our step-by-step guide on how to sell cryptocurrency and our rules for selling cryptocurrency.

  • Selling Cryptocurrency for Gold

    Gold is one of the oldest known valuables in the world, and one that has consistently increased in value over time, despite the changes in the economy. We are happy to offer you an opportunity to sell cryptocurrency for gold. Here’s everything you need to know about trading with gold.

    Before trading

    Trading

    Searching for an offer

    Creating an offer

    Completing a trade

    After a trade

    ID and address verification

    Before trading

    Before you start selling cryptocurrency for gold, make sure you have the means to check the quality of the gold before you make the payment. Whether you choose the gold to be sent to you by mail or delivered in person, you still must ensure minimal risk.

    Don’t hesitate to request any additional documentation or proofs such as:

    • Proof of purchase (a receipt).
    • Certificate of authenticity for the gold item.
    • Photo of your trade partner's ID.
    • Photo of the actual gold item.
    • The tracking number issued by the parcel service (in case the gold is being shipped to you directly).

    Trading 

    Searching for an offer

    The first step to selling cryptocurrency for gold is to look for an offer that accepts this type of payment. You’ll also need to enter the amount of gold you wish to sell and the currency you prefer.

    Choose the best rate of cryptocurrency to have the highest profit possible. Also, pay attention to the reputation of your potential trade partner and choose the location carefully, to ensure that your trade partner will be able to deliver the gold to you. And finally, read through the offer terms and trade instructions carefully. 

    Talk to your trade partner in the trade chat. Clarify how the gold will be delivered to you and yourself decide whether you are okay with the product before proceeding. 

    Tip:

    • Prefer public places for trades in person.
    • Use trackable shipping methods for delivery by mail. 

    Creating an offer

    To sell cryptocurrency for gold, you can also create your own offer.
    Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Set a margin you find profitable as no negotiations are allowed during the trade.
    • Write clear offer terms and instructions.
    • Be clear about what proofs of payment you expect for the gold you are accepting.
    • For in-person trades, be very clear about the meeting location and exchange procedure.

    Once you’ve created and published your personalized offer, wait for a buyer to start a trade with you. Once a trade has started, you will receive a notification. Feel free to discuss all the necessary details with your trade partner on the trade chat, and proceed with the trade accordingly.

    Completing a trade

    Once the buyer has paid you and marked the trade as Paid, they will have 21 days to deliver the gold to you either by post or in person. If you do not confirm receiving goods within this timeframe a dispute will start automatically and our moderators will step in for assistance. 

    Note: Calculation of 21 days starts from the moment the trade is marked as Paid.

    Once you’ve received the gold, you can release the cryptocurrency from the trade escrow. Click the Release button only if you are absolutely sure about receiving the payment. Remember that cryptocurrency transactions are final and irreversible.

    After a trade

    Once the trade is completed, you can leave appropriate feedback for your trade partner. Also, if you like trading with the user, you can add them to your trusted list

    ID and address verification

    Another important aspect to consider is your ID and address verification. You must complete your ID verification and address verification to trade with gold. This verification is important to protect our cryptocurrency sellers from any fraudulent activity. Therefore, it is not possible to trade cryptocurrency for gold or vice versa without being fully verified on Paxful.

    Note: Full verification is mandatory for offers and trades that start from 50 USD.

    See our step-by-step guide on how to sell cryptocurrency and our rules for selling cryptocurrency.

  • Selling Cryptocurrency with Bank Transfers

    Bank Transfers are a popular payment method on Paxful. This article will show how to sell cryptocurrency with our automated Bank Transfers.

    Before trading

    Before you start selling cryptocurrency with Bank Transfers, add your bank account details to your Paxful profile.

    Make sure your bank account is ready to make transactions and check if the account has any transaction limits or geographical restrictions in place. Also, consider using a bank that can easily provide proof of payment, with all of the details visible on one page or pdf file.

    The required details for proof of payment on Paxful are: 

    • Account holder’s first and last name.
    • Bank’s name and logo.
    • Transaction date, time and status.
    • Sender’s account number and full name.

    Trading 

    Searching for an offer

    The first step to selling cryptocurrency via Bank Transfer is to look for an offer that accepts Bank Transfers as payment. You’ll also need to enter the amount you wish to sell and the currency you prefer.

    After you find a suitable offer, you’ll need to read and accept the new offer terms before the trade begins. These offer terms are set by Paxful and outline how the trade should be carried out.

    Once the trade starts, the trade chat will be disabled. We now automatically send the buyer and seller’s bank account details to each other, making Bank Transfers even safer and easier. 

    Creating an offer

    To sell cryptocurrency via Bank Transfer, you can also create your own offer.

    Here are a couple of tips for your Bank Transfer offer:

    • Set a margin you find profitable as no negotiations during the trade are allowed.
    • If you’d like to use the old Bank Transfer process and set your own offer terms, choose “Other Bank Transfer” as your payment method.

    After creating and publishing your personalized offer, wait for a buyer to start a trade with you. Once a trade has started, you will receive a notification. Feel free to discuss all the necessary details with your trade partner.

    Completing a trade

    Once the buyer has paid you, marked the trade as Paid and uploaded proof of payment, double-check if you’ve received the payment on your end.

    The last step for you is to release cryptocurrency from the trade escrow. Only click the “Release” button if you are absolutely sure you have received the payment.

    After a trade

    Once the trade is completed, you can leave appropriate feedback for your trade partner. Also, if you like trading with the user, you can add them to your trusted list

    Here is some more information on how to sell cryptocurrency on Paxful.

     

  • Selling Cryptocurrency with Cash Payments

    There are a variety of cash payments that you can use to sell cryptocurrency on Paxful. This article gives you an overview of selling cryptocurrency using any of the supported cash payments. 

    Before trading

    Before selling cryptocurrency with cash payments, here are a few things to consider:

    • Some payment methods such as Cash By Mail or Cash In Person, require full ID and address verification (for amounts higher than 50 USD per trade).
    • In case of some disputes, it is very difficult for Paxful to provide assistance be ready to file a Police report in such cases.

    Trading 

    Searching for an offer

    The first step to selling cryptocurrency with cash is to look for an offer that accepts cash as payment. You’ll also need to enter the amount you wish to sell and your preferred currency.

    When you find the offer that suits you, be sure to read the offer terms before starting the trade. This will show you a brief summary of what the buyer requires from you regarding the payment.  In the case of Cash In Person, the offer terms should provide a brief list of meeting preferences.

    After reading through the offer terms and confirming that you agree with the conditions, it’s time to start the trade. Once the trade has begun, a more specific set of instructions should appear for the meetup. Usually, for cash trades, buyers should promise to provide a teller receipt. If at any point during the trade you feel confused about the instructions, feel free to send a message to the buyer via trade chat. They should be able to help you with any questions that you may have. 

    Creating an offer

    To sell cryptocurrency with a cash payment, you can also create your own offer. Here are some things to consider:

    • Set a margin you find profitable as no negotiations during the trade are allowed.
    • Write clear offer terms and instructions.
    • Make it clear which proof of payment you require and how much time you need to confirm the payment.
    • In the case of Cash In Person, state clearly, where you want to meet.

    Tip: Prefer public places for Cash In Person trades.

    After creating and publishing your personalized offer, wait for a buyer to start a trade with you. Once a trade has started, you will receive a notification. Feel free to discuss all the necessary details with your trade partner.

    Completing a trade

    For a Cash In Person trade, once all the details have been settled, it’s time to meet up with your buyer. Go to the specified location and collect the cash from the buyer. Once this is done, wait for the buyer to mark the trade as Paid. Now click the Release button. 

    Note that in the case of Cash By Mail, the trade may require a lot of patience from both sides.

    With other cash payment methods, the payment process itself is usually quite simple. In any case, always make sure you have provided correct details to the buyer and collected all possible proof of receiving or not receiving the payment. 

    The last step for you is to release cryptocurrency from the trade escrow. Click the Release button only if you are absolutely sure about receiving the payment.

    After a trade 

    Once the trade is completed, you can leave appropriate feedback for your trade partner. Also, if you like trading with the user, you can add them to your trusted list

    Here is some more information on how to sell cryptocurrency on Paxful.

See all 11 articles

Offers

  • How Do I Edit My Offers

    Once you make your buy or sell offer, you can easily edit the offer by following these quick steps:

    1. Hover over to the Dashboard tab and click on My Offers.
    Here you can see a snapshot of all your current offers which you can view and edit.Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.20.12_PM.png

    2. For your Buy Offers, click on Offers to Buy. For your Sell Offers, click on Offers to Sell.

    Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.22.58_PM.png

    3. Next, click on the Edit button, next to the View button.

    Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.25.02_PM.png

    Note:

    You can also Turn Off your offers with the blue toggle button

    4. You will be taken to the first Edit Offer page.
    On this page, you can make changes to your payment method and other trade details. Once all your info is updated, click
    Next Step in the right-hand column. 

    Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.29.54_PM.png

    Note:

    You can always delete the offer by clicking on the delete offer button.

    5. After hitting Next Step, you will be taken to the second Edit Offer page.
    Here you can change trade pricing, offer margins, and other details. Once all the info is updated click Next Step
    in the right-hand column.

    Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.33.32_PM.png

    6. After hitting Next Step, you will be taken to the third Edit Offer page.
    Here you can change trade instructions, offer tags, offer terms, and other details. Once all the info is updated click Update Offer in the right-hand column.

    Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.37.35_PM.png

    7. Once you update your offer, you will see a pop-up message confirming your updates. 

    Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_8.40.45_PM.png

    Note:

    You can also share your updated offer on your social media accounts and via email.

    That’s it! You now have successfully edited your offer!

  • Featured Offers

    Featured offers are offers selected by our team that will be featured on the "buy" and "sell" sections in the Paxful marketplace.

    Featured_Offers_-_KB_Screenshot.png

    If you see a featured offer in the marketplace, it could be from:

    • An Expert Trader
    • A trader that we trust (has received good feedback from trade partners)
    • A trader that you’ve marked as “trusted” in the past 

    How can I get my offer to be featured?

    We’re not taking requests to feature offers right now. Keep trading safely and fairly in the marketplace and maybe your offer will be featured someday!

  • Country Restrictions on Payment Methods

    We have over 350 payment methods available on the platform. However, some payment methods are only available in certain countries:

    Payment Method Restricted Countries
    Cash App Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria
    Chime Cameroon, China, Ghana, India, Nigeria
    GoBank China
    Green Dot Cameroon, China, Ghana, India, Nigeria
    Zelle Cameroon, China, Ghana, India, Nigeria
  • How can I lift a restriction on my payment method?

    To help make the marketplace a safer environment, Paxful has placed restrictions on some payment methods in certain countries. You won't be able to create a new offer or start a new trade using restricted payment methods. If you have current offers using restricted payment methods, those offers will be deauthorized.

     

    If you are temporarily living or traveling in a country where a payment method is restricted, but you have proof that the payment method belongs to you, please:

    1. Take a screenshot of the account that displays your name
    2. Provide proof that you are only temporarily in a restricted country, and proof of address or documentation from your country of origin
    3. Send the screenshots of the documents to our support team through PaxBot, our automated website helper. 

    Our team will review your information and contact you if they have additional questions.

     

  • Why Was My Offer Removed?

    Sometimes, an offer will be removed from the marketplace because it may harm the Paxful community that buys and sells cryptocurrencies.

    Here’s a short list explaining why offers are removed from the Paxful marketplace:

      • Changing the terms and instructions - Do not change the terms and instructions you agreed to with your trade partner after the trade has started. 
      • Sharing contact information - Do not attempt to communicate outside of Paxful’s trade chat with your trade partner. Giving out personal information is how fraud and identity theft start. This includes WhatsApp, Telegram, phone numbers, email, etc. 
      • Being unresponsive with your trade partners - Do not create an offer and then become unresponsive with your trade partner once the trade is initiated.
      • Being disrespectful - Do not use any profanity, hate speech, and other offensive or vulgar messaging in your offer. Paxful has a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior. 
      • Payment method was restricted - Offers can be removed from the marketplace because the payment method selected has been restricted in your location. For more information, take a look at this article.
      • Violation of Paxful’s Terms of Service - If there’s a violation of Paxful’s Terms of Service, your offer may be removed.

    If our system detects that your offer has a very low chance of success (e.g. extremely high margins), your offer may not be visible to other users. We recommend looking at the best offers and model your offers after them. Because the algorithm takes current market conditions into account, this is something you may have to calibrate regularly to increase or maintain the visibility of your offer.

     

    I understand why my offer was removed, what are my next steps?

    In most cases, you’ll receive a gentle warning about your offer and why it was removed. You’ll be expected to turn your offer on again and update the terms and instructions so it doesn’t fit the criteria mentioned above. Additional actions may be taken for severe or repeat offenses, such as being banned from Paxful or restricting the payment method. 

     

    I understand why my offer was removed and now I can’t create a new offer using the same payment method, what are my next steps now?

    Please contact our support team so we can help get this payment method reinstated for you. Our Marketplace investigations team will verify the request and ensure your account is in good standing before granting access.

     

  • Offer Working Hours

    Offer owners can now set a schedule when offers are active to the public instead of deactivating them manually before logging out. This guide will show you how to manage working hours for your offers and how to find them on an offer of your trade partner.

    Managing working hours for your offers

    To set or edit working hours for your offer, do the following:

    1. Begin creating or editing your offer as usual, according to standard flow

    2. On Step 3 of the offer creation flow in Advanced options, locate the Working hours section. Choose your time zone from the Your Time Zone drop-down list.
    OfferWorking1.png

    3. Click the days of the week you want to select or deselect.

    OfferWorking2.png

    4. Click a time box and select a time from the drop-down list that appears. Choose the timeframe for your offer to be active on the public listing.
    OfferWorking3.png

    Note:

    • On the unselected days of the week, your offer will be inactive.
    • To set a different time for each day of the week, activate the Custom schedule toggle, and make the necessary adjustments.
    • To apply the selected schedule for all existing offers, activate the Apply to all offers toggle.
    • To reset a selected schedule, click Reset Schedule.
      Offerworkingnote.png


    5. Continue the offer creation or editing flow as usual and click Create offer or Update offer to save your offer working hours.

    Working hours of your trade partners

    To see the working hours of an offer, do the following:

    • On the offers list page, locate an offer of your interest and click Buy or Sell, depending on the offer type.
      Working_hours.png
    • On the offer page, scroll down to see the Offer working hours section.
      New-Offer-working-hours.png

    Tip:

    • To see the timezone of an offer, hover over the clock icon.
    • To see the exact schedule, hover over a day of the week.

    For more information on how to improve your offer creation flow, check our guides on how to write good offer terms and trade instructions

See all 16 articles

Trades

  • Automated Bank Transfers

    Buying and selling cryptocurrencies using Bank Transfer are now automated on Paxful to make trading even easier and safer for you.

    From now on, the trade chat will be disabled in Bank Transfer offers you create or edit. We’ll automatically share the buyer and seller’s account details with each other instead. We’ve also introduced new Offer Terms for Bank Transfer trades, which have been set by Paxful. These Offer Terms outline how the trade will proceed. 

    Note: If you’d prefer to stick with the old Bank Transfer process, choose “Other Bank Transfer” as your payment method.

    Here’s how our automated Bank Transfers work:

    How to sell cryptocurrency with an automated Bank Transfer

    Creating an Offer
    1. Click “Create an Offer” on the Paxful homepage.
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_10.45.19.png
    2. Choose the cryptocurrency you’d like to sell, then ensure “Sell Bitcoin/Tether/Ethereum” is selected.
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_16.25.46.png
    3. Select “Bank Transfer” as your payment method, then choose the currency you’d like to receive and select the country where your bank account is based. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_13.15.50.png
    4. You’ll need to accept Paxful’s new terms for Bank Transfers to continue with an automated trade. Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_14.49.52.png
    5. Select the bank account(s) that you’d like to use for this offer and enter your bank’s name(s). If you’ve not added a bank account yet, you can do so here. Click “Next Step” when you’re done. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_15.53.35.png
    6. Set the rate, offer trade limits and offer margin before continuing to “Next Step”. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_15.57.14.png
    7. You’ll now see “guided trade”, “no third parties” and “receipt required” set as the Offer Tags by default. The “guided trade” tag is mandatory. You can remove or change the latter two tags to suit your needs. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_16.00.50.png
    8. Make sure to read Paxful’s new Offer Terms carefully, then select whether you’d like your trade partner to be verified, the visibility of your offer and you can enter a reason for the Bank Transfer (optional).
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_16.55.37.png
    9. Click “Create Offer” and your offer will be live!
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.07.14.png
    Making a Trade
    1. When a buyer starts an active trade with your offer, your cryptocurrency will be securely held in escrow until you release it. 
    2. You’ll be shown how much cryptocurrency you’re selling and what you’ll receive in return, as well as the buyer’s and your own account details.  
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.17.13.png
    3. Once the buyer has marked the trade as Paid and attached proof of payment, check your own account to confirm you’ve received the funds. 
    4. When the funds have arrived, click “Send Bitcoin”.
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.19.53.png
    5. Enter your 2FA code to release the crypto from escrow and complete the transaction. Don’t forget to leave feedback!Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.23.52.png

    How to buy cryptocurrency with an automated Bank Transfer

    Creating an Offer
    1. Click “Create an Offer” on the Paxful homepage.
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_10.45.19.png
    2. Choose the cryptocurrency you’d like to buy, then ensure “Buy Bitcoin/Tether/Ethereum” is selected.
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.35.35.png
    3. Select “Bank Transfer” as your payment method, then choose the currency you’d like to transfer and select the country where your bank account is based. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_13.15.50.png
    4. You’ll also need to accept Paxful’s new terms for Bank Transfers to continue with an automated trade. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_14.49.52.png
    5. Select which banks you’re willing to send payment to (or select “All Banks”), then choose which bank account you’ll use to send payment. If you’ve not added a bank account yet, you can do so here. Click “Next Step” when you’re done.
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.55.54.png
    6. Set the rate, offer trade limits and offer margin before continuing to “Next Step”. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.53.37.png
    7. You’ll now see “guided trade”, “no third parties” and “receipt required” set as the Offer Tags by default. The “guided trade” tag is mandatory. You can remove or change the latter two tags to suit your needs. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_16.00.50.png
    8. Make sure to read Paxful’s new Offer Terms carefully, then you can adjust additional instructions and limitations on your offer.
    9. Click “Create Offer” and your offer will be live! 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_17.07.14.png
    Making a Trade
    1. When a seller starts an active trade with your offer, their cryptocurrency will be securely held in escrow. They’ll release it once they receive your payment.
    2. You’ll be shown how much you’re buying and what you need to pay, as well as the seller’s bank account details. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.34.00.png
    3. Select which bank account you’ll make the payment from and click "Confirm". We’ll then send your account details to the seller. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.35.14.png
    4. Transfer the payment to the seller’s specified bank account. Make sure you receive a receipt or take a photo or screenshot of the confirmation to use as proof of payment.
    5. Mark the trade as “Paid”, then confirm on the Self Declaration pop-up. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.37.14.png
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.39.09.png
    6. Select your proof of payment on the next pop-up, then click "Upload".
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.41.00.pngScreen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.42.57.png
    7. Click "Upload" to send your proof of payment to the seller. 
      Screen_Shot_2021-11-10_at_18.41.58.png
    8. Once the seller receives the payment, they’ll release the cryptocurrency to your wallet to complete the transaction. Don’t forget to leave feedback!

  • How to Avoid Chargebacks

    Chargebacks happen when the other party requests their funds back after a trade. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

    Chargebacks can happen with some payment methods even after a trade is done. This means that your trade partner can request their funds back, even after you received the payment. There are a few different things you can do to protect yourself from chargebacks when trading in the marketplace:

    • Chargebacks are usually related to third party payments*. If a third party payment was sent, try to get as much information as you can about the account the payment was sent from
    • Take a look at your trade partner’s feedback history before starting a trade to make sure they aren’t getting feedback about chargebacks
    • If you created the offer, add tags that indicate if you accept third party payments or not. 
      • If the user is ID verified, ask them if they are making the payment with their verified name
    • If you don’t accept third party payments and the buyer is trying to use one, ask the buyer to cancel the trade

    *Third-party payments are payments made by someone who the payment method/account does not belong to.

    If a buyer has filed a chargeback, take a look at this article to see what you can do.

  • Paxful Escrow

    To secure the marketplace, Paxful employs various protocols, such as escrow, to prevent fraud and make trades safe for everyone. Paxful’s escrow feature aims to ensure a fair trade experience for both parties. Paxful is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency marketplace where people can meet and safely trade crypto using over 300 payment methods. When a trade starts, the cryptocurrency from the seller’s wallet is automatically moved into a temporary safe deposit account (escrow) where it will be held until the transaction is complete.

    So how does the escrow work?

    When a trade starts, the seller’s crypto is automatically transferred into our secure escrow. 

    Note: The amount transferred into the escrow is the trade amount plus escrow fee.

    How escrow helps cryptocurrency buyers: If you as a  buyer make the payment but the seller refuses to release your crypto, the secure escrow serves as a guarantee. The seller’s cryptocurrency will stay in escrow until our moderators step in to investigate the situation and award the cryptocurrency to the deserving party.

    How escrow helps cryptocurrency sellers: Sometimes a buyer may not be able to finalize the payment for the cryptocurrency. If you’re the seller in this case, then your cryptocurrency is safely returned back to your wallet.

    Once the payment is made and confirmed, the seller can release cryptocurrency from escrow to the buyer, and this will mark the completion of the trade. 

    escrowImage.png

    Here is more information on how you can start a dispute. Also, check how you can contact our 24/7 dedicated customer support team.

  • Paxful Trades Flow

    All Paxful trades flow in a similar way. However, you may encounter some specific cases depending on the payment method you choose. If you familiarize yourself with the process, it’ll make trading on Paxful a lot easier.  

    Buying cryptocurrency

    Find an offer on our Buy Bitcoin list. For more information on how to buy crypto see our guide.

     

    Selling cryptocurrency

    Find an offer on our Sell Bitcoin list. For more information on how to sell crypto see our guide.

     

    You can also create your own offers directly from your Paxful account. See our short guide on how to create your first offer.

    Note: Some payment methods on our platform have automated trade flow. Here is the list:

  • Trade Status

    Trade status determines the progress of your trades and you can view them from your user dashboard when logged in to your account. There are eight statuses your trade could possibly have:

    Active funded – a trade has started, and funds have been transferred from the seller’s wallet into trade escrow.

    Paid – a buyer has marked the trade as paid. It means that a buyer of cryptocurrency is sure that he has made the payment and has actually clicked the Paid button.

    Expired – every trade has a payment window for a buyer to make a payment. When a trade is funded, but a buyer failed to mark a trade as paid, the payment window expires. This status means that a trade has been cancelled.

    Cancelled – a buyer or a seller has willingly cancelled a trade.

    Dispute open – a buyer or a seller has opened a dispute.

    Successful – a seller of cryptocurrency has released funds from the trade escrow to the buyer’s wallet.

    Awarded seller – a dispute has taken place, and cryptocurrency was awarded to the seller of cryptocurrency.

    Awarded buyer – a dispute has taken place, and cryptocurrency was awarded to the buyer of cryptocurrency.

  • How Do QR Codes Work?

    A QR Code is a machine-readable code made of black and white squares that help make your online wallet trades faster and easier. You can add a QR code to your Paxful account to help make your online wallet trades easier and faster. By adding a QR code, you can quickly share your online wallet details in the trade chat, or when you're creating an offer. We’ve broken down the steps on how to add and use a QR code in the Paxful marketplace:

    To add a QR code to your Paxful account:

    1. Head to the settings page of your Paxful account and click on Payment details
      QR_section_1_step_1.png
    2. Scroll down to Online Wallets and click on Add New
      QR_codes_section_1_step_2.png
    3. Next, pick your wallet name, upload the wallet URL, and give the account a nickname QR_codes_section_1_step_3.png
    4. Once you’re done, click Add
      QR_codes_section_1_step_4.png

    To edit or delete a QR code connected to your Paxful account:

    1. Head to the settings page of your Paxful account and click on Payment details
      QR_codes_section_2_step_1.png
    2. Select the online wallet you’d like to edit or delete
      QR_codes_section_2_step_2.png
    3. Click on the action you’d like to do
      section_2_step_3.png

    To upload a QR code in the chat:

    1. Once you’ve started a trade and you have a QR code linked to your Paxful account, you’ll see a mini QR code icon in the trade chat. Tap on the icon for the list of your linked online wallets
      QR_codes_section_3_step_1.png
    2. Select the QR code you’d like to use
      QR_codes_section_3_step_2.png
    3. From there, your QR code will be uploaded to the chat

    Notes:

    • If you created a sell offer with an online wallet, your QR code will automatically appear in the trade chat once the trade is started.

    • If you’re the buyer, you’ll need to click on the QR code link to visit your trade partner’s online wallet.


    To create an offer with a QR code:

    1. Start by creating your offer as you usually would—if you select an online wallet that is supported by this feature, you’ll have the option to upload your linked online wallet during the first step:
      QR_codes_section_4_step_1.png
    2. Select the online wallet you’d like to use
      QR_codes_section_4_step_2.png
    3. From there, you can continue to create your offer as usual 

    Note: If you're adding a QR code to your offer, the details will automatically be shared in the trade chat once the trade starts.

    Warning: Not all payment methods and regions are available with this feature right now.

See all 15 articles

Disputes

  • How Do I Start a Dispute on Paxful?

     

    On Paxful, we have our dispute system through which conflicts between our users are settled in the fairest way possible.

    Our marketplace offers an opportunity for our customers to freely trade cryptocurrency with each other and a vast majority of the trades go smoothly and successfully. But some cases require the intervention of a third party — our moderators. This article will give you an overview of the dispute resolution process.

    Video

    Here’s a short and informative video on the topic:

     

    Steps to start a dispute


    1. In the trade chat, click Dispute.

    Dispute1.pngThe Dispute dialog box appears.

    2. Select a dispute reason from the list and explain what happened clearly in the text box below.

    Here are the dispute options for sellers and buyers:

    • Cryptocurrency seller: Coin locking, payment issue, other.
    • Cryptocurrency buyer: Unresponsive vendor, payment issue, other.

    3. Click Start dispute and check your trade chat for a message from a moderator.

    Dispute2.png

    4. Provide as much evidence as you can, such as:

    • Proof of payment (transaction receipt, a screenshot of payment, video proof)
    • Proof of ownership (transaction receipt, receipt from the store of the gift cards, online receipt,
    • Operation screenshots or video recording.
    • Phone call recording of a conversation with the third party’s customer support.
    • Any additional proof as requested by our moderators.

    The dispute will be investigated by our moderators and a decision will be made based on the evidence provided by both parties. Paxful moderators resolve disputes by evaluating trade terms, offer instructions, evidence of payment, trade chat interaction, user reputation, past trading history, as well as data submitted and or collected in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

    Note: 

    • Once you have submitted a dispute request, you do not have to contact our Support. Our moderators will definitely look into your case as soon as possible and reach out to you.
    • Dispute investigation is a complicated process and may take time (up to three weeks). We are grateful for your patience and understanding.
    • Don’t flood the chat with messages as it may hold up the moderator. Wait for the moderator to join the dispute for investigation.

    How to cancel your dispute?

    If you have started a dispute but changed your mind and want to cancel it, do one the following:

    • If you started a dispute as a seller and you see that the buyer has resolved the issue from their side, click Release.
    • If you started a dispute as a buyer and you see that the issue has been resolved, click Cancel.

    Tip: To ensure the best solution possible, wait for a moderator and let them decide on how to solve the dispute.

    Reasons for losing a dispute

    If you lose a dispute, it could be for several reasons. The most common reasons are:

    • You were not able to provide clear reasons and evidence as requested by the moderator
    • The evidence you provided was not enough

    We also check the trading history of both parties to see if you were able to follow the trade instructions or offer terms of the previous trades. A decision is made only when the investigation is finalized to the moderator’s satisfaction. Read more here: Why did I lose a gift card dispute? 

    Read more on how to protect your funds from scammers in our security guide

  • When Should I File a Dispute?

    As a buyer and seller of cryptocurrency on Paxful, find out when is the right time to file a dispute to resolve an issue.

    As a buyer:

    • If you’ve followed the seller’s instructions, completed the payment, but the seller refuses to release the crypto
    • If you made the payment but the seller stops responding and has not released the crypto
    • If you notice any violations of the Terms of Service

    As a seller:

    • If the buyer marks the trade as “paid” but is unresponsive
    • If the buyer says they have paid you, but you did not receive the payment or there’s an issue with the payment
    • If you notice any violations of the Terms of Service

    If you’re not sure how to file a dispute, take a look at this article for a step-by-step guide.

  • What Information Should I Provide During a Dispute?

    Find out what evidence you should provide during a trade dispute whether it’s via gift card, bank transfer, credit card, or other payment methods.

    General tips:

    The more information you provide during the dispute process, the easier our team will be able to process your dispute. We’ve put together a collection of best practices to help our team accurately process your disputes.

    When uploading evidence:

    • Make sure the image is not cut off or cropped
    • Make sure the image is clear
    • Do not alter or change the image

    What information should I provide?

    Gift card disputes:

    Buyer:
    evidence_--_gift_card_disputes.png

    • Image of the gift card with the Paxful trade chat clearly in the background (please make sure that all four corners of the card are in the image)
    • Receipts to prove that you own the gift card
    • Video recording of checking the balance of a gift card before uploading it during the trade 
    • Evidence showing you own the gift card (history from the issuer’s website, etc.)

    Seller:

    • A full screen, un-cropped screenshot that shows both the code itself and the error message received when trying to redeem

    For more information on gift card disputes, take a look at this article

    Bank transfer disputes:
    evidence_-_PDF_of_bank_statement.png

    • A PDF of your bank statement that shows the transaction
    • Video recording of transaction history (name must match the name on your Paxful account, and please show the transaction history from the day before the trade up until today)
    • Audio recording from you and the financial institution confirming the transaction

    Goods and services disputes:

    • Any evidence you have (selfie with the person you traded with, receipts, etc.)

    Online wallet disputes:
    evidence_-_online_wallet_transaction.png

    • Screenshot of the online wallet transaction that took place
    • Proof that the online wallet belongs to you (video recording of your online wallet account name matching the name on your Paxful account)

    Debit/credit card disputes:

    • Proof that your card was charged (video recording of your bank account name matching the name on your Paxful account and 10 days of transaction history and please make sure the date is visible)
    • Audio recording of the conversation between you and your card provider confirming the transaction

    Cash disputes:

    • Any evidence that you have that shows your cash withdrawal (bank statement, ATM receipt, etc.)

    Digital currency disputes:

    • The trade/hash ID of the transaction
    • Any additional screenshots that prove you completed the transaction
  • I Have an Issue with a Trade but I Can’t File a Dispute

    The best way to resolve a trade issue is by filing a dispute as soon as possible so that our team can quickly investigate the matter. The sooner a dispute is filed, the more resources our team will have to help resolve the dispute. 

    If you’re not able to file a dispute, our team will do our best to help, but we may not be able to resolve the issue. Our team will investigate and take necessary action, if needed, to help make sure that this doesn’t happen again in the future.

    If you reach out to us about this, please send us as much information as you can, such as the trade ID, proof of ownership, evidence, details of what happened, etc. 

    Note: We will only allow this one time. We recommend taking a look at the guide we put together to help prevent issues like this in the future.

  • Why Did I Lose a Dispute?

    To keep Paxful a safe experience for all, neutral judges (moderators) decide who wins or loses a dispute. A user may lose a dispute because:

    • The user did not provide the requested evidence within 12 hours of the dispute.
    • Suspicious trade activity
    • The user did not submit the trade/hash ID of the transaction
    • Buyer or Seller did not submit a PDF of their bank/online account statement that shows the transaction
    • The user provided insufficient, false, or edited evidence
    • Buyer or seller violated the other party’s offer terms and/or trade instructions.
    • User violated any of Paxful’s Terms of Service.

    Note: Some of these reasons could lead to you being permanently banned from our platform.


    What to do during a dispute?

    During a dispute, we recommend that users of both parties adhere to our Terms of Service. At Paxful, we try to be as fair and as helpful as possible, and during the process, we recommend that users be forthcoming with information in order to quickly and correctly resolve the dispute. 


    What do we ask for in disputes?

    During a dispute, we also ask for any evidence that may help the moderator make a decision. Evidence can include the following:

    • A PDF of your bank/online account statement that shows the transaction
    • A video recording/screenshot of the online wallet transaction that took place
    • The trade/hash ID of the transaction
    • Any additional screenshots that prove you completed the transaction

    For further information on what to provide in a dispute visit our Help Center page: What Information Should I Provide During a Dispute.

    Paxful understands that filing a dispute can be a frustrating experience, and we are continuously working towards solutions to make the Paxful trading experience safe and secure for all our users. If you have further questions on your dispute claims please reach out to our support team. 

    For more information on why you may have lost a dispute specifically related to gift cards, visit our page Why did I lose my gift card dispute. For more information on how to start a dispute, visit this Help Center page.

Account Verification

Account Verification

  • Logging in With Phone Number on Mobile App

    Log in with a phone number feature is only available on the web browser version of Paxful and is not ready for mobile just yet. However, you still have two options to log in:

    • Verify your email address. You can verify your email address and use that to login to the mobile app. As an added bonus, your trading/send out limits will increase once your email address is verified.
      To verify your email address, just head to the Settings page of your Paxful account and click Verification. From there, you can verify your email address in just a few steps.
    • Use a web browser. You can still login using your phone number on our web version of Paxful—even on your mobile device. Just open up to your favorite browser and head to https://paxful.com.

    Stay tuned for updates as our team is working hard to get this released on mobile.

  • How to Use Your NIN on Paxful

    Users located in Nigeria can now use their NIN (national identification number) to verify their identity and address on Paxful. To use your NIN on Paxful follow the instructions below: 

    1. Select your issuing country as Nigeria and choose the option: National Identification Number (NIN) from the drop-down menu.
      NIN_KB_Step_1.png
    2. Enter your 11-digit NIN in the box provided.NIN_KB_Step_2.png

    3. Click on the “Start Verification Process” button.
      NIN_KB_Step_3.png

    4. Provide a selfie (or take a picture of yourself) to prove your identity matches your NIN.

      NIN_KB_Step_4.png

      Please ensure the following:

       - Your face is well lit and in full view of the camera
       - Don’t wear anything that might block any part of your face.
       - Follow all instructions that appear on the screen.

      5. When taking your selfie, please allow camera access as seen in the image below.
      NIN_KB_Step_5.png

      6. Take a selfie by lining up your face to the oval shown on the screen. See the image below for more details.

      NIN_KB_Step_6.png

      7. Once the image has been taken, we will verify your image and you will see the screen below.
      NIN_KB_Step_7.png8. As soon as your picture is verified and approved, you will see the image below. This means your identification and address have been verified. You are now ready to start trading!

      NIN_KB_Step_9.png

      Note:

      If your image does not pass our verification process, you will see the screen below and need to try again.

       

      NIN_KB_Step_8_-_note.png

  • Limits and Verification

    Verification keeps the platform safe for users. With each new level of verification, users unlock higher trade amounts and limits. Verification is an important part of Paxful as we aim to make the trading experience on our platform as safe as possible.

    The following table lists out our various verification levels along with their corresponding benefits:

    Level Verification Needed Per Trade Limit Trade Volume Lifetime Limit Send from Wallet Lifetime Limit
    0 - $0 $0 $0
    1 Phone $1,000* $1,000 * $1,000*
    2 Email and ID $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
    3 Address $50,000 Unlimited Unlimited
    4 Enhanced Due Diligence Higher than $50,000 Unlimited Unlimited
    • Users from countries on this list require levels 1 and 2 to sell crypto, convert crypto, and withdraw any funds from their Paxful Wallet.

    • For Lightning transactions, there is an additional limit of $750 per transaction and $10,000 per month.

    Note: Trade limits and wallet send out limits are tracked separately. For example, you can have $500 remaining for trading, and $9,000 left for wallet send outs.

    Why should I verify my account?

    With each new level of verification, here’s a glimpse of what you’ll unlock:

    Level 1

    • Increased security on your account

    • Ability to trade and send more crypto

    • Ability to convert cryptocurrency

    Level 2

    • Increased trade and send out limits

    • Access to more payment methods

    • Ability to create your own offers

    Level 3

    • Increased trade and send out limits
    • Removal of 0.002 BTC requirement for your offers to be visible in the marketplace

    Level 4

    • Increased trade and send out limits

    Warning: 

    • Users from countries on this list require levels 1 and 2 to use Paxful wallet services and trade on our marketplace. To withdraw funds and to make any trades on Paxful, users must verify their ID.
    • In order to create an offer, you need to be ID-verified.
    • To send funds from your Paxful wallet, you need to verify your phone.
    • The per trade limit for a trade is calculated based on the total volume of all active trades available for your current level.  
    • Check if your country is on the OFAC grey list. In case if your country is on the list, to send funds from your Paxful wallet or to sell cryptocurrency, you need to be ID-verified.

    Please visit our Help Center for more information on the verification process.

  • Email Verification

    Email address verification adds an additional layer of security to your account. Here's how you can verify your email address.

    1. Log in to your Paxful account, hover over your username on the top right of the page and click Settings from the context menu that appears.
      Email_verification_1.png

      The Settings page appears.

    2. Under Verify email address click Resend email
      Email_verification_2.png 
      A verification email is sent to your registered email address. 
    3. Open the email in your inbox received from noreply@paxful.com, and click Confirm Email. Your email address is verified successfully. 

    Note:

    • You can request a new confirmation email only once every 20 minutes.
    • If you do not find our email in your regular inbox, please check your Spam or Junk email folders as well.

    After verifying your email, we also recommend setting up two-factor authentication on your Paxful account if you haven't already.

     

  • Phone Verification

    You need to verify your phone number after creating your account to access certain levels and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Here's how you can verify your phone number on Paxful if you didn't create your Paxful account using your phone number.

    1. Log in to your Paxful account, hover over your username on the top right of the page and click Settings from the context menu that appears.
      Email_verification_1_2.png

      The Settings page appears. 
    2. On the menu on the left side of the page, click Profile.
      clickProfile.png
    3. Enter your phone number in the PHONE field and click Verify or Use a phone call instead.
      CLickVerify.png

      Note: We recommend the Verify option as the call option is not supported in all countries.

    4. a) Phone call option
      You receive a phone call with the numeric confirmation code. Listen carefully to the code and enter it in the field below and click Submit. Your number is verified.
      b) Verify (SMS) option.
      You receive an SMS with the numeric confirmation code. Enter the code in the field below and click Submit. Your number is verified.
      ClickSubmit.png

      After confirming your phone number, consider activating 2FA and verifying your ID.

     

     

  • ID Verification

    Trading on Paxful requires verification depending on the payment method used or the amount transacted. Here's a guide to help you: Before you begin, please ensure that you have verified your phone number.

    Video Guide

    Here is a short video that walks you through the verification process:

    Step 1 Open Verification Page

    1. Log in to your Paxful account, hover over your username located on the upper right of the page and click Verify Me.
      ID2.1.png
      A dialog box with the verification video guide appears. 

    2. After watching our video, click Continue verification.
      ID2.2.png
      The Verification page appears.

    Step 2 Insert Your Details

    1. Fill in the fields on the ID verification form.
    ID2.3.png

    Field Name Description
    Country your photo ID is from Select the country that issued your ID.
    Type of photo ID Select the type of ID you are submitting.

    2. Click Start verification process
    ID2.4.png
    The photo ID verification page appears. 

    Step 3 Provide ID Photo

     

    1. On the ID verification page, click Start.
    StartVerificationNew.png
    The Submit identity card page appears.


    2. Choose whether you want to take a photo of ID or to upload an existing file from your device.
    ID_verification1NEW.png

    Note:

    • Some countries may not have the ability to upload a file during the ID verification process. These users will need to take a live photo instead.
    • If you prefer to use your mobile phone, click Prefer to use your mobile?

    Take Photo

    To take a picture of your ID, make sure your document is ready and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

    1. Click Take photo.
    TakePhotoNEW.png

    2. Click Start.
    ID2.7.png

    Warning: Give the application permission to access your device camera.


    Place your ID in the center of the screen and make sure all the necessary details are visible: 

    • your face on the document
    • document number
    • your full name

    3. Click the Camera icon to capture the image.
    ID2.7.1.png
    The image is captured and displayed on the screen. 

    4. If the image is clear, click Confirm. If the photo is not legible or if you are not satisfied with it, click Retake and try again.
    ID2.8.png

    Repeat the process once again to capture the backside of your  ID card or Driving license. In the case of a passport, simply continue to the next step.

    Upload file

    If you want to upload a file from your device,

    1. Click Upload file.
    UploadFileNEW.png
    The Upload image page appears. 

    2. Click Choose file and select a file from your device.

    ID2.10.png 

    3. Click Choose another file if you want to retry. If you selected the right file, click Confirm.
    ID2.11.jpg

    Repeat the process once again to capture the backside of your ID card or Driving license. In the case of a passport, simply continue to the next step.

    Step 4 Complete Face Verification

    The next step after submitting your ID is to complete your face verification. To verify your facial identity.

    1. On the Face verification page, click Continue.
    ID2.12.png
    Center your camera page appears.

    2. Make sure your camera is working and placed correctly. Click Continue.
    ID2.13.png

    The application activates your device camera so you can click a picture of your face.

    3. Once you are ready, click Start.

    selfiestartFinal____.png
    While clicking the picture, keep the following points in mind:

    • Look straight into the camera.
    • Make sure you are dressed decently and are not wearing glasses or hats.
    • Follow the instructions by moving your face closer to the camera.
    • Fit your face into the oval frame.

    In case of an error, click Try again. In case of success, your photo will be sent automatically to our Verification Team.
    ID2.14.jpg

    Note: If your attempt has failed, consider increasing the amount of light in the room.

    You’ll be notified about your application in just a few minutes! Check your notification inbox to find out if your application was approved or declined. You will also receive an email with the result of your verification. 

    Note:

    • There is a lifetime limit of 5 verification attempts for each user!
    • If you have not received an answer within 24 hours, it means that your document is going through manual verification. Manual verification may take more than 2 days (2-7 days).
    • Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, manual verification processing times may be longer than usual (3-10 days). Thank you for your patience. 

    If you have any questions or face any issues, contact us via our contact form. After completing your ID verification, feel free to verify your address as well.

     

See all 16 articles

Account

Managing Your Account

  • Paxful Trader Program FAQs

    What is the Trader Program?

    What are the benefits of the Trader Program?

    What are the requirements to join the Trader Program?

    How will I know if I'm eligible to be part of the Trader Program?

    I've met all the requirements. How do I get an account badge?

    I've completed the required amount of trades. Why doesn't my account have a badge?

    Can I lose my Trader Program status?

    What is the Trader Program?

    The Trader Program provides exclusive perks and benefits to active and well-respected members of our platform. There are two different levels: Power Trader and Expert Trader.

    What are the benefits of the Trader Program?

    Power Trader

    • A badge on your profile
    • Be the first to try new features
    • Instant disputes
    • No bond requirement on gift card trades
    • Priority support

    Expert Trader

    • A badge on your profile
    • Be the first to try new features
    • Featured offers (available to members with dedicated account managers)
    • Sell offer promotion (available to members with dedicated account managers)
    • Instant disputes
    • No bond requirement on gift card trades
    • Priority support
    • Dedicated account manager (we have temporarily paused this benefit)
    • Customized fees  (we have temporarily paused this benefit)

    What are the requirements to join the Trader Program?

    Power Trader

    • Follow our Terms of Service
    • You've had an account for at least 90 days
    • Verified ID and proof of address
    • A good behavior score*
    • You complete at least 250 trades every 90 days**

    Expert Trader

    • Follow our Terms of Service
    • You've had an account for at least 90 days
    • Verified ID and proof of address
    • A good behavior score*
    • You complete at least 1,000 trades every 90 days**

    *To be a good trader on Paxful, we expect honest trading, prompt release times, keeping the trade on Paxful, etc. You can refer to our Terms of Service for more information on acceptable behavior when using the marketplace.

    **A trade must be worth 20 USD or more to count toward the Trader Program.

    How will I know if I'm eligible to be part of the Trader Program?

    Once you meet the requirements we'll send a notification to your Paxful account letting you know! We'll also send an email to the address linked to your Paxful account.

    I've met all the requirements. How do I get an account badge?

    Great question! Once you've completed the required number of trades and your account is in good standing, you can contact our support team. They'll review your account and add the badge if you meet the requirements. Once you have your badge you can begin enjoying the benefits of the program!

    I've completed the required number of trades. Why doesn't my account have a badge?

    We define trades as both buying and selling cryptocurrency on our platform. If you've only done one or the other, you won't be eligible for the Trader Program. However, if you've been buying and selling cryptocurrency but don't have a badge, you can contact us for help with your badge!

    Can I lose my Trader Program status?

    Yes, you can. We look at your account on a rolling basis, so the requirements need to be met consistently over a 90-day period to keep your Trader Program status. You can also lose your Trader Program status if you break our Terms of Service and/or compliance requirements.

    Questions? Comments? Feedback? Suggestions?

    We'd love to hear from you! You can reach out to our support team and we'll get back to you.

  • Why is My Paxful Account Frozen or Restricted?

    To maintain safe conditions within the Paxful marketplace, we take action on accounts that violate any of our Terms of Service. These actions will have a status that restricts the usage of Paxful.

    If your account is suspended, you are restricted from using your Paxful account. 

    If your account is locked, you temporarily won’t be able to login to your Paxful account—this could be because you logged in from a new location, or we may have detected suspicious activity so it’s been locked to keep you safe. For more information, take a look at this article.

    If your account is frozen, you temporarily can’t buy or sell on Paxful and you can’t withdraw any funds. 

    If your account has been limited, you are either permanently/temporarily restricted from trading, creating, and editing offers. Although your account is restricted, wallet services will still be available such as receiving, sending, and converting crypto.

    If your account is on-hold, your account is restricted for a period of time for further review. After the time period expires, you can withdraw any funds in your wallet. If your account is not ID verified, you’ll be required to verify your ID before you can withdraw any funds.

    If your account is banned, you are permanently restricted from buying and selling. However, you will still be able to do a one-time withdrawal of all your funds from your Paxful account and send it to any wallet address you choose. If you’re from a country on this list, or if you have reached your wallet send out limit, you’ll be required to verify your ID before you can withdraw your funds.

    Restricted.png

    What causes account restrictions?

    Here are some of the activities that can lead to your account being restricted: 

    • Seller of cryptocurrency asking to cancel the trade after the payment was completed.
    • Conducting a trade outside of Paxful trade escrow by communicating through Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.
    • Making a chargeback or reversing the payment after it has been processed.
    • Coin locking or holding a seller’s cryptocurrency in escrow without the intention to make the payment and complete the trade.
    • Unauthorized use of gift cards, such as selling a gift card in multiple trades and selling gift cards that have already been used. 
    • Forcing or tricking a trade partner to immediately release their cryptocurrency.

    Paxful has zero tolerance for the following:

    • Using multiple Paxful accounts.
    • Using a fake identity or falsified verification documents.
    • Using Paxful from an OFAC banned country listed on this page.
    • Unauthorized use of gift cards / chargebacks / defrauding users.

    How do I remove the restriction?

    Some account restrictions such as banned and suspended are not reversible, therefore the actions are final

    However, if your account is frozen, first check your email for information, and then contact Support to figure out the next steps for appeal. 

    If your account is locked, please take a look at this article for steps on how to unlock your account.

    Warning: The quickest way to appeal a restriction of your account is by using our Contact Us form and choosing the following request type: Accessing and using my account > My account is banned, frozen, suspended, or on-hold.

  • Creating an Account on Paxful

    Cryptocurrency can be intimidating for newbies so we've created a guide on how to create an account on Paxful to help you get started.

    Your Paxful journey begins with a simple decision: whether or not to create an account. If you think that you’re ready to take the plunge into the world of crypto and financial freedom, then the next step is to create your Paxful account. Creating your account is easy and very user-friendly. Upon registering, you also get a free wallet to store the cryptocurrency you earn from trading on Paxful. 

    Here’s a Paxful school tutorial to walk you through the process of creating your account:

    To create a new Paxful account:

    1. Open a web browser and launch the Paxful webpage: https://paxful.com.

    2. Click Register on the top right corner of the main page.
    Register.png

    3. Choose if you'd like to create an account with your phone number or email address and create a password.

    Register_account_with_phone_number.png

    Note: 

    • When you register on Paxful, a username will automatically be assigned to you, but you can customize it later. 
    • Click I have referral code to register your referral code received from another Paxful user.

    4. From there, you'll need to verify your phone or email address (whichever one you chose to create your account with).

    Warning: Read our Terms of Service, Affiliate Program Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. By continuing you agree to Paxful's Terms of Service automatically.

    Once you have created your account, we recommend verifying your phone or email address (whichever one you did not use to sign up with) and identity as well to gain more trading opportunities on our platform. If you have any other questions, feel free to explore our Help Center, reach out to us via Contact Us form on our website, or send us a message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

  • My Public Profile

    Your profile contains a summary of your account and your history on Paxful. Other Paxful users can view the following information:

    • Username
    • Profile picture
    • Verification - information if your email, phone, ID or address are verified,  and you were verified as a trusted vendor.
    • Reputation - an aggregation of the positive and negative feedback that you have received on Paxful.
    • Active offers - offers you created that are currently active.
    • Your profile language
    • Number of trade partners
    • Number of trades
    • Trade volume - total BTC you’ve traded on Paxful.
    • Number of users who trust you
    • Number of users who have blocked you
    • Time elapsed since you joined Paxful
    • Last time you were online on Paxful

    As you can see, your public profile will contain all the credentials you have earned on Paxful and will help other users decide if you are a safe trade partner or not.

  • Dashboard

    Your dashboard is the hub to track all your activities on Paxful and allows you to access all the information you need. There are 4 different dashboards on Paxful, each with its own specific uses and functions.

    Classic Dashboard

    Once you create an account on Paxful you get a free wallet and access to the Classic Dashboard. This is the general/default dashboard where you can:

    • See your active and past trades.
    • Check help pages.
    • Create and edit your offers.
    • Get an overview of your affiliates.
    • Check account activity.

    Classic_Dashboard_Glossary.png

    Vendor Dashboard

    This dashboard appears as soon as you create your first offer. On the vendor dashboard, you can:

    • View your active and past trades. 
    • Get an overview of your affiliates.
    • See your sales charts.
    • See offer statistics: active, deactivated offers and more.
    • View past trade survey results.
    • Create and edit offers
    • Perform additional account verification steps.
    • Request additional features from our developers.

    Vendor_Dashboard_Glossary.png

    In general, this dashboard is useful when you want to see the statuses of all your trades and offers.

    Merchant Dashboard

    This dashboard exclusively applies to users who are using the “Paxful Pay” feature (sign up for this feature on our Paxful Pay page). On the Merchant Dashboard you can see:

    • Your sales for the last 28 days. 
    • All transactions made using the merchant link.

    image.png

    Affiliate Dashboard

    This is the dashboard to track your affiliates and your affiliate commissions. 

    On this dashboard, you can:

    • View your affiliate link and share it with your friends and network.
    • Get a detailed overview of all your affiliates.
    • Check your affiliate earnings from completed trades.
    • Create unique trackable links in the ‘track ID’ section. 

    Affiliate_Dashboard_Glossary.png

    The Paxful Affiliate Program is an exciting opportunity for users to be rewarded for sharing their Paxful affiliate links with their friends and followers.

     

  • Trusted/Blocked List

    Your Trusted and Blocked list helps you filter your contact list and makes it easier for you to mark whom to trade with on Paxful.

    Apart from the various external indicators that can help you decide whether certain users are safe to trade with or not, you can also trust and block users based on your personal experience trading with them.

    Trusting Users 

    Trusting users you’ve had a good trade experience with, is a good way to stay connected with them. For example, if you constantly find that a user trades efficiently with you, you can then mark that user as your trusted user. In this way, their offers will be prioritized in your feed. When creating offers, there are also options where you can choose to show your offer only to your list of trusted buyers.

    Trusting users is a way to make real connections with them, but just like in real life, be careful whom you trust on Paxful.

    Blocking Users

    While trusting users is the way to build a healthy trade relationship with decent traders, blocking is for the contrary. If you’ve had a bad experience trading with someone (e.g. it wasn’t as efficient as you’d hoped for, or if you were scammed), you can block that particular user. If you block a vendor, they will not be able to see your offers on their list. Similarly, if you block a buyer, you won’t be able to see their offers on your list.

    Blocking is a way to ensure that the bad apples don’t bother you.

    To trust or block a user follow these steps:

    1. Click on the username on any page (offer list, trade chat, past trades in your dashboard, etc.)
      The user profile opens.
    2. Click Trust or Block links under the username to mark the user as trusted, or to block them respectively.

    Block_Trust1.0.png

    Note:

    • You can always undo this action later.
    • You can only block a user if you are ID verified or if you have previously traded with that user.

    To view and manage your blocked and trusted list, go to your Contact list.

    For more information on how to improve your trading experience, please read our safety tips and instructions for good offer terms.

See all 15 articles

Account Security

  • Keep your Paxful account secure with 2FA

    Two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS will no longer be supported starting November 14th, 2022. To secure your account, we highly recommend setting your 2FA up with Google Authenticator (GA) or Authy. Alternatively, although it’s less secure than GA or Authy, you can enable 2FA via email

    If you don’t get the chance to change your settings, starting on November 10, we’ll be sending your codes to your email instead of SMS. For those who use a combination of 2FA via SMS and Google Authenticator or Authy, your codes will be redirected to Google Authenticator or Authy instead.

     

  • What is 2FA?

    Two Factor Authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security where the user must verify that they own the account with a code. 2FA is often used to protect the user’s credentials, information, and any resources within the system. Only the user can access their specific 2FA alert, which is sent via Authy, Google Authenticator, or email. 

    2FA is a secondary layer of security used to safehold your account. With an authenticator, you receive a code you will need to input to log in to your account or complete any trades. 

    There are several different types of authenticators or 2FA methods you can use. The three options are:

    • Google Authenticator
    • Twilio Authy
    • Email

    To set up 2FA, you’ll need to first set up your security questions in your account settings

     

  • How to Set Up Google Authenticator (GA)

    Google Authenticator is an application that implements two-step verification services for our users as an added layer of security. It uses a time-based one-time password algorithm and HMAC-based one-time password algorithm for authenticating users of mobile applications by Google.

    To set up 2FA with Google Authenticator (GA) follow the steps below:

    Google Authenticator Requirements:

    Setting up Google Authenticator:

    1. Once the GA app is installed, login into your Paxful account on a different device.
    2.  Hover over your username on the top right corner of the page and click Settings_Icon_.png Settings from the menu.
      2FA_profile_menu.png
    3. On the settings menu, click Security_Icon.pngSecurity.
      Security_Menu_.png
    4. On the security page, under Two-factor authentication (2FA) settings, choose Google Authenticator.
      Screen_Shot_2022-11-22_at_12.52.08_PM.png
    5. Click Activate now and a QR code appears.
    6. Scan the QR code with your phone by using the Google Authenticator app. A 6-digit code will appear on the app or you can copy the code for manual setup.
      Screen_Shot_2022-11-22_at_8.07.35_PM.png
    7. Enter the 6-digit code into the field below the QR code. Your code will be automatically submitted once you input the code.
    8. Once your code is automatically submitted, a menu will appear.
      To verify that 2FA via GA is turned on, make sure it says Activated. For more security, check all the toggles under the Enable 2FA column.
      Screen_Shot_2022-11-22_at_8.16.19_PM.png
    9. When all toggles are blue, you’re done! 2FA via Google Authenticator is set up. 

    Note:

    To troubleshoot 2FA via Google Authenticator (GA), visit our help center page.

     

  • How to Enable 2FA with Authy

    Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can greatly enhance your account security. We recommend using Authy as it's more secure. To set up 2FA with Twilio Authy follow the steps below: 

    Twilio Authy Requirements:

    Setting up Authy:

    1. Login to your Paxful account on a different device. 
    2.  Hover over your username on the top right of the page and click   Settings_Icon_.png Settings from the menu.

      Paxful_Drop_Down_Menu_.png
    3. On the settings menu, click Security_Icon.pngSecurity
      Security_Menu_.png
    4.  On the security page, under Two-factor authentication (2FA) settings, choose Authy.
      Screen_Shot_2022-11-22_at_12.52.08_PM.png
    5. Click Activate now and a QR code appears.
      Screen_Shot_2022-11-22_at_8.07.35_PM.png

    6. Scan the QR code with your phone by using the Authy app. A 6-digit code will appear on the app or you can copy the code for manual setup.
      Authy_App_Image.jpg
    7. Enter the 6-digit code into the field next to the QR code. Your code will be automatically submitted once you input the code.
    8. Once your code is automatically submitted, a menu will appear.
      To verify that 2FA via Twilio Authy is turned on, make sure it says Activated. For more security, check all the toggles under the Enable 2FA column.
      Screen_Shot_2022-11-22_at_8.16.19_PM.png
    9. When all toggles are blue, you’re done! 2FA via Twilio Authy is set up.
       

      Note:

      To troubleshoot 2FA with Authy, visit our help center page.

       

  • How to Enable 2FA with Email

    To set up 2FA with email, follow the steps below:

    Setting up 2FA with email:

    1. Login to your Paxful account.

    2. Hover over your username on the top right of the page and click on the  Settings_Icon_.png  Settings button.
    2FA_profile_menu.png

    3. In the Settings menu, click on  Security_Icon.pngSecurity.

    Security_Menu_.png

    4. On the Security page, under Two-factor authentication (2FA) settings, choose Email.

    Screen_Shot_2022-10-21_at_12.48.04_PM.png

    5. Click Activate now.

    6. Click on Enable 2FA via email and a menu will appear. 

     Screen_Shot_2022-10-20_at_9.40.28_PM.png

    To verify that 2FA via email is turned on, make sure it says Activated. For more security, check all the toggles under the Enable 2FA column.

    Screen_Shot_2022-10-20_at_9.43.35_PM.png

    7. You’ll receive a code in the email you used to create your Paxful account.

    8. Input the 6-digit code found in the email.

    9. When all the toggles are blue, you’re done! 2FA via email is set up.

     

  • Troubleshooting 2FA

    Have problems with your two-factor authentication (2FA)? Here's how to troubleshoot 2FA via SMS, Authy, or Google Authenticator.

    Google Authenticator and Authy

    If your GA codes don’t work, it might be because the time on your Google Authenticator app is not synced correctly with your device. Make sure to check the clock and set it to the correct time zone. An incorrect clock can cause codes to be out of sync.

    Email

    If you’re having issues receiving a 2FA via email code, please check the following:

    • Make sure your inbox is not full. 
    • Make sure emails from Paxful are not going into your spam folder. 
    • Make sure your email is verified on your Paxful account.

    SMS

    2FA via SMS is no longer supported on Paxful. If you had 2FA via SMS enabled, we’ll be sending your codes to your email instead. 

    For those who use a combination of 2FA via SMS and Google Authenticator or Authy, your codes will be redirected to Google Authenticator or Authy instead. 

    If you haven’t been using 2FA via Google Authenticator or Authy or your email is not verified on your Paxful account, please contact our support team to reset your 2FA. 

See all 13 articles

Wallet

General Questions and Guides

  • How Does Paxful’s Travel Rule Affect Me?

    To comply with international regulations, we require users to provide more information when trading 1,000 USD+ in cryptocurrency.

    To keep you in the loop, we implemented the new travel rule for user protection and to stay up-to-date with international standards

    Why was the Travel Rule created, and where will my information go?

    The Travel Rule was created to better understand where users are sending and receiving cryptocurrency from.  

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), FINCEN, and other international regulatory bodies created the Travel Rule to help make your transactions more secure.

    By providing further information (as listed below), there’s less risk of sending crypto to an unknown wallet address. Furthermore, it helps companies, like Paxful, better detect money laundering and terrorist financing.

    The rule requires money service businesses to communicate when users send money from one financial institution to another. There are businesses, such as Paxful, that are called Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), and they allow users to trade cryptocurrency. The new Travel Rule requires VASPs to securely gather specific information when a transaction is made between two VASPs. The gathered information is then communicated back and forth between the VASPs. 

    For further information visit Paxful’s blog article: Introducing the Travel Rule.


    Who needs to follow the new travel rule? 

    Anyone who is sending out 1,000 or more USD in cryptocurrency on Paxful to another platform will need to abide by the new travel rule and provide the appropriate information. 

    Note: If you are sending 1,000 or more USD in cryptocurrency to another Paxful user within Paxful, the Travel Rule will not apply.


    How do I follow the Travel Rule?

    A pop-up window will appear on your screen when you confirm the amount of cryptocurrency you would like to send. Keep in mind that this window will only pop up if you are sending 1,000 USD or more in cryptocurrency. 


    What information is needed to send over 1,000 USD in cryptocurrency on Paxful? 

    You need to ensure that you’re proof of address (POA) verified, meaning that your address associated with your Paxful account has been verified.

    You will also need to submit the following recipient details on a pop-up screen when it is presented to you.

    When sending to a private person, Paxful requires their information, which includes:

    • The recipient's first name
    • The recipient's surname or last name
    • The recipient’s wallet provider

     

    Note: The wallet provider is the service that your recipient is using to accept the sent funds.

    You can also submit a custom wallet provider name by choosing the option: Other. You will then be prompted to type in the custom provider name. (Reference the image below for more information.)

     

    When sending to a company or corporation, Paxful requires their information, which includes:

    • The company name
    • The company’s wallet provider 

    Note:  Similar to sending to a private person, you can also submit a custom wallet provider name by choosing the option: Other. You will then be prompted to type in the custom provider name. (Reference the image below for more information.)

     

    Once you submit your information and click the blue button, you will see the below image:

     

    How do I verify my address for the Travel Rule?

    You will need to verify your email address, phone number, address, and identity in order to comply with Paxful standards and the Travel Rule when sending out 1,000 USD or more in cryptocurrency.  Please visit our help center page on verifying your account for additional help.

  • What is a Paxful Wallet?

    The Paxful Wallet is a digital wallet given upon sign-up and allows you to securely send and receive your hard-earned cryptocurrency. Your wallet lets you see your transactions, similar to your online banking account. 

    All wallets come with a wallet address. To send and receive cryptocurrency to your Paxful Wallet, you can simply send your wallet address to other crypto users. 

     There are many varieties of wallets available, whether you’re looking for a web or mobile solution—your Paxful wallet helps get you up and running ASAP! For more information on wallet restrictions and how to trade cryptocurrency using your Paxful Wallet, visit our Help Center.

     

  • I Sent Funds to the Wrong Address. How Do I Get Them Back?

    Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. To get your funds back, you must contact the receiver and request to send them back. If you don’t know to whom the address belongs to, you can’t do anything else to retrieve the funds.

    Warning: Always double-check and ensure that the address you’re sending funds to, exactly matches the address of the recipient beforehand.

Bitcoin Wallet

  • I Sent Bitcoin from My Paxful wallet But It Doesn't Appear on the Recipient's Balance

    The Bitcoin you sent may not appear immediately in the recipient's wallet balance but that doesn't mean that the funds are lost. Here are some steps for you to figure out what could have happened:

    1. Make sure you sent the Bitcoin to the correct wallet address. You can check this by going over your transaction history.
      • If the recipient’s wallet address is correct, go to the next step.
      • If you have used an incorrect address, go to this article about recovering funds sent to the wrong wallet address.
    1. Check the transaction status on Blockcypher.com or Blockchain.com
      • If you see less than three confirmations, give the transaction some more time to be processed  (this may take up to 24 hours). 
      • If you see three or more confirmations, contact the recipient’s wallet service provider to investigate this situation further.

    Note: Don't worry—if you've entered the correct recipient's wallet address, your funds will be recovered.

  • Bitcoin was Sent to My Paxful Wallet But I Don't See It On My Balance

    If you notice that Bitcoin sent to your Paxful wallet isn’t showing up on your balance, it doesn’t mean that your funds are lost. Here's what you can do:

    1. Make sure that the funds were sent to the correct wallet address. If they were sent from an online wallet, check the transaction history. If they were sent from an ATM, check the transaction history and the receipt.
      • If the recipient’s wallet address matches your wallet address, go to the next step.
      • If the address is incorrect, go to this article about recovering funds sent to the wrong wallet address.
    1. Check the transaction status on Blockcypher.com or Blockchain.com
      • If you see less than two confirmations, give the transaction some more time to be processed (this can take up to 24 hours). 
      • If you see two or more confirmations, go to the next step.
    1. Check your wallet page for notifications and our Twitter feed for any announcements. 
      • If you see a message on your wallet page or on our Twitter, just wait for further updates.
      • If there is no information about any technical issues, contact Support right away. Make sure you have provided us with the recipient’s wallet address and transaction ID.

    Note: Don't worry! If the sender has entered the correct recipient's wallet address, your funds will be recovered.

  • Can I Withdraw Bitcoin from Paxful Wallet to My External Wallet?

    You can easily send your Bitcoin from your Paxful Wallet to an external wallet as we support major Bitcoin wallet types except for one.

    There are three Bitcoin address formats currently in use:

    1. P2PKH addresses which begin with the number 1.
      Example: 1BvBMSEYstWetqTFn5Au4m4GFg7xJaNVN2.
    2. P2SH addresses starting with the number 3.
      Example: 3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy.
    3. Bech32 addresses also known as "bc1 addresses" starting with bc1.
      Example: bc1qar0srrr7xfkvy5l643lydnw9re59gtzzwf5mdq.

    Bech32 is supported by the majority of software and hardware wallets, but only a few exchange platforms.

    Paxful Wallet allows withdrawals to P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32 addresses.

    Additionally, see how to send Bitcoin from your Paxful wallet and the details of Paxful fees.

  • How to Check Bitcoin Transaction Status

    Sending Bitcoin from one Paxful wallet to another is instant. But for external wallet transfers, you may need to monitor the process. Here’s how to check the Bitcoin transaction status:

    1. Look for the transaction ID. You can find it in the transaction history of the sending wallet provider or, in case of ATM, you will see it on the screen and on your receipt. It will look something like this: e2e400094he873ec4af1c0ae7af8c3697aaace9f7f56564137dd1ca21b448502s

    2. Go to https://live.blockcypher.com/ or https://www.blockchain.com/explorer and type or paste the transaction ID into the search field. You can see how many confirmations your transaction has.

      If you’re receiving BTC in your Paxful wallet, the funds should arrive after two confirmations. If you’re sending BTC to an external wallet, it usually takes six confirmations to arrive.

      This can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours depending on how congested the Bitcoin network is.

      If your transaction says “No Transaction Found”, then the transaction never left the sending wallet. In that case, you should contact the service provider of the sender’s wallet.

    See our guide on how to deposit Bitcoin to your Paxful wallet and how to send funds from your wallet. Additionally, here’s a quick look at the Paxful fees.

    Why is a different wallet address showing up on the transaction?
    Since we use a custodial wallet, you may see a different wallet address listed on the transaction inputs, but don't worry, this is normal.

  • Receiving and Depositing Bitcoin (BTC)

    When you sign up for a Paxful account, you get a free wallet and a Bitcoin address where you can send and receive Bitcoin. This address is a combination of numbers and letters (both uppercase and lowercase) in no apparent sequence. 

    This address never expires, so just copy it and use it to receive Bitcoin from other wallets or Bitcoin ATMs. You can also generate a new Bitcoin address for extra privacy/security. You can create as many Bitcoin addresses as you want and use them any number of times.

    When other people send Bitcoin to this address, it goes straight into your wallet. It’s not always instant. This is because Bitcoin transactions are non-reversible and the Bitcoin network needs to confirm the transaction two times before the Bitcoin is released into your Paxful wallet. Once the Bitcoin is sent, you should get a notification saying “incoming Bitcoin at 0 confirmations” or "Unconfirmed". When that count reaches two, you should see your Bitcoin in your Paxful wallet. This can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours depending on how busy the Bitcoin network is.

    To deposit Bitcoin to your Paxful wallet:

    1. Log in to your Paxful account and click Wallet.
    Screen_Shot_2022-12-13_at_7.19.34_PM.png

    2. Look for Bitcoin (BTC) currency under Assets and click RECEIVE.
    Screen_Shot_2022-12-13_at_7.12.06_PM.png

    3. From there, you can copy your Bitcoin wallet address or use the QR code.

    Screen_Shot_2022-12-13_at_7.54.28_PM.png

    4. Enter your Paxful wallet address into the app, website, or ATM. If you have scanned the QR-code, your wallet address appears on the screen of the app or ATM automatically.
    5. Confirm sending Bitcoin to your Paxful wallet.

    Warning: Make sure that you are sending Bitcoin and not any other cryptocurrency (Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, etc.). Such transactions can result in a loss of your funds.

    Note:

    • Make sure you have enough funds in the sending wallet or ATM. Be aware of the minimum BTC transaction amount.
    • Remember that the person sending the Bitcoin will bear the transaction fee. Usually, the amount you send, the amount you will be charged as a network fee, and the total amount deducted from your wallet are clearly shown to you before you confirm the Bitcoin transfer.

    Wait for your BTC to arrive and start trading as soon as you are ready. You can also always check your Bitcoin transaction status.

    Additionally, see how to send Bitcoin from your Paxful wallet. If you want to start trading, check out the following guides: creating sell Bitcoin offer and selling Bitcoin.

See all 12 articles

Ethereum (ETH)

  • Ethereum (ETH) FAQs
    What is Ethereum?

    Ethereum is an open-source blockchain network on which companies can build products on. Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency, after Bitcoin. Ethereum is also a network where ETH (Ethereum), USDT (Tether), and other cryptocurrencies transact.

    How to convert Ethereum on Paxful?
    All users can convert Ethereum with a verified email address and phone number. For a full list of the verification status needed for Ethereum transactions, please visit this article.
    For more information about Ethereum conversion, visit Converting Ethereum FAQs.
    What are the fees for converting Ethereum?
    For a full breakdown of Ethereum fees, check out this article.
    Can my Ethereum transaction be cancelled or reversed?

    Unfortunately, Ethereum transactions can’t be cancelled or reversed. For more information, check out this article

    What is the minimum amount of Ethereum I can convert?
    ETH to BTC: 0.0001 BTC equivalent
    ETH to USDT: 5 USDT
    How do I get my Ethereum wallet address?

    Head to the Wallet tab and click Receive in the Ethereum section.

  • Receiving and Depositing Ethereum (ETH)

    Paxful allows you to deposit and receive Ethereum (ETH) using your Paxful Wallet. If you’re looking to deposit ETH into your Paxful wallet, check out the steps below to get started:

    1. Log in to your Paxful account and head to the Wallet page
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.37.04_AM.png
    2. Look for Ethereum (ETH) currency under Assets and click RECEIVE.
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.39.28_AM.png
    3. From there, you can copy your Ethereum wallet address or use the QR code. Please make sure the amount you’ll be receiving is worth more than the fee! 
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.41.30_AM.png

    Notes: 

    • If ETH is sent from an external wallet, the transaction needs 12 confirmations on the blockchain to be successful. You can check out the status of the transaction through Etherscan here. Just grab the transaction ID from your Paxful wallet here and enter it into Etherscan to track.

Tether (USDT) Wallet

  • How Can I Check the Status of My Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) Transaction?

    Ethereum, Tether, and USD Coin transactions on Paxful externally rarely fail but you can always check if your transactions went through.

    When you send ETH, USDT, or USDC from one wallet to another, you can check the status of the transaction through Etherscan for ETH and USDC, Ethereum-based Tether (ERC-20), and Tronscan for Tron-based USDT (TRC-20). Check out the steps below to get started:

    Each transaction has a transaction ID (also known as a transaction hash). The IDs are alphanumeric characters and look something like this:

    • 0x931d387731bbbc988b312206c74f77d004d6b84

    To find your transaction ID in your Paxful wallet:

    1. Log in to your Paxful account and head to your wallet
    2. Click on the "Transactions" tab and on the drop-down select ETH or USDT.
      Scroll down at the bottom of the page and select “View All Transactions” to see your full transaction history.
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.14.38_AM.png
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.19.10_AM.png
    3. Once you find the transaction you’re looking for, copy the transaction ID.
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.21.14_AM.png

    Once you have the transaction ID:

    1. Head over to Etherscan.io or Tronscan.org
    2. Paste in the transaction ID
    3. From there, you can track your transaction. It usually takes 12 confirmations (it can take up to 30 on some platforms) for your transaction to complete, so hang tight! 


    For more information on sending USDT, take a look at this article.

  • Receiving and Depositing Tether (USDT)

    If you are looking to securely deposit and receive Tether (USDT) on Paxful, read our guide on how to do it in three simple steps:

    1. Log in to your Paxful account and head to the Wallet page.
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_8.37.04_AM.png
    2. Look for Tether (USDT) currency under Assets and click RECEIVE.
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_9.43.19_AM.png
    3. From there, you can copy your Tether wallet address or use the QR code. Please make sure the amount you’ll be receiving is worth more than the fee!
      Screen_Shot_2022-12-22_at_9.44.56_AM.png

    Notes:

    • After USDT is sent, the transaction needs 12 confirmations on the blockchain to be successful. You can check out the status of the transaction through Etherscan here. Just grab the transaction ID from your Paxful wallet here and enter it into Etherscan to track. 
    • If you have an old Tether address, you'll be charged a network fee when you use it to deposit Tether. You can avoid that fee by using your new Tether address.
  • Tether (USDT) FAQs

    Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin that is pegged to the American dollar (USD). A single unit of USDT is supposed to be equal to 1 USD.

    Paxful provides an option to convert your Bitcoin to USDT to protect your funds from any market fluctuations. Learn more about our BTC to USDT converter in our Help Center.

    What is Tether?
    Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin that is worth around 1 USD. The rate can fluctuate a bit, but it's a 1:1 representation of 1 US dollar on the Tether blockchain.
    Who can trade USDT on Paxful?
    All users can trade and convert USDT with a verified email address and phone number. However, depending on your country, you may need to verify your address to sell USDT. 

    For a full list of the verification status needed for USDT transactions, please visit this article.
    What are the fees for converting USDT?
    For the full breakdown of USDT fees, check on this article.
    Can my USDT transaction be cancelled or reversed?
    Unfortunately, transactions on the blockchain can’t be cancelled or reversed. For more information, check out this article.
    What is the minimum USDT amount I can sell, buy, or convert?
    With Paxful, the minimum amount you can buy, sell, and convert is 10 USDT.
    How can I buy or sell USDT?

    You can buy or sell USDT the same way as you would buy or sell Bitcoin in the marketplace! 

    • Head over to the buy and sell pages to see a list of the current USDT offers. 
    • You can also create your own USDT offers (just make sure you’re ID verified!).
    • You can also convert your BTC and ETH into USDT in your Paxful Wallet. Check out this article for more information.
    How do I get a USDT wallet address?
    Just head to your Paxful wallet and click on “Receive” under Tether to get your USDT address. You can also check out our Receiving and Depositing Tether article for more information.
     
  • USDT TRON

    Paxful does its best to give users the option to save on fees for USDT transactions, that's why TRON (TRC-20) Network was added.

    Transaction fees on the blockchain can get expensive and are sometimes unpredictable. These fees are called Network fees and do not go to Paxful. They go to the blockchain networks to make sure your funds are safe.

    Luckily, the fees in the TRC-20 Network are lower than the fees in older blockchains (such as Bitcoin and Ethereum).

    What USDT does Paxful support?

    For USDT (Tether USD) we allow two send-out options from your Paxful Wallet: Ethereum (ERC-20 USDT) and TRON (TRC-20 USDT).

    What are the fees associated with TRON USDT send-outs?

    You will be charged a network fee when sending USDT via the TRON (TRC20) network and that's on top of the Paxful Wallet fee. Check out this article for more information on our fees.  

    Which network does my wallet/exchange accept? 

    Typically you can see that in the ‘Receive’ or ‘Deposit’ screen within your wallet. Look for either Ethereum (ERC20) USDT or TRON (TRC20) USDT. If you are given a deposit address, you can easily spot the Ethereum address by the ‘0x’ in the beginning, while TRON addresses start with a capital ‘T’.

    Note: Make sure your wallet/exchange supports USDT transfers. Please never withdraw money directly to ICO addresses or services not designed to accept USDT.

    What if I want to send USDT to another Paxful user?

    You can still send funds to another Paxful Wallet by using a Paxful username or wallet address. There is no network fee for internal transfers (you have 1000 USD worth of free internal transfers each month).

    I want to withdraw the funds to my own wallet, what software should I use?

    Your funds are safe in your Paxful Wallet, but if you want to keep USDT in your own wallet, you can find the software for your desktop or mobile device here:

    Ethereum Wallets

    TRON Wallets 

    Why won’t my transaction go through?

    Make sure you copied the address correctly. Keep in mind that addresses are case-sensitive. Also, make sure your address is either Ethereum USDT (starts with ‘0x’) or TRON USDT (starts with ‘T’). 

    If you’re still running into issues, feel free to reach out to our support team.

USD Coin (USDC)

  • USD Coin (USDC) FAQs
    What is USD Coin (USDC)?

    USDC is a stablecoin that keeps its value around the 1 USD mark. Although its rate can fluctuate a bit, it maintains a 1:1 representation of the US Dollar on the Ethereum blockchain. 

    For more information about USDC, you can visit their website.

    Who can trade USDC on Paxful?
    All users can trade and convert USDC with a verified email address and phone number. However, depending on your country, you may need to verify your address to sell USDC. In some locations, restrictions to using stablecoins may apply. 

    For a full list of the verification status needed for USDC transactions, please visit this article.
    What are the fees for converting USDC?
    For a full breakdown of USDC fees, please visit this article.
    Can my USDC transaction be canceled or reversed?
    Unfortunately, transactions on the blockchain cannot be canceled or reversed. For more information, please visit this article.
    How can I buy or sell USDC?

    Buying and selling USDC works the same as buying and selling Bitcoin on the marketplace.

    1. Head over to the buy and sell pages to see the available USDC offers.
    2. You can also create your own USDC offers—just make sure you’re ID verified!
    3. You can also convert your Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT) into USDC on your Paxful Wallet. Check out this article for more information.
    How do I get a USDC wallet address?
    Head to your Paxful Wallet and click on Receive under USD Coin to get your USDC ERC-20 address.
    Can I deposit USDC via the TRC-20 network?
    Paxful only supports USDC ERC-20 tokens, so make sure to deposit only to an ERC-20 Ethereum address.
    What’s the difference between USDC and USDT?
    USDC and USDT are functionally the same in concept. However, where they differ is in the companies that issue the coins. 

    USDT is an older and therefore more popular stablecoin but some believe that USDC is a more transparent one since its reserves are regularly reviewed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Lightning

  • Lightning

    The Lightning Network is a system built on top of Bitcoin and it allows users to transfer BTC in a matter of seconds with low fees.

    When sending or receiving BTC via Lightning on Paxful, your Paxful BTC Wallet will be used and you can use that BTC to do everything you already do on the platform.

    Note: Lightning is only available on Paxful's web version, but we're working on getting it on the mobile app soon!

    What is Lightning used for?

    Lightning is supported by many BTC wallets and exchanges and is usually used to send small amounts of Bitcoin (also known as micropayments).

    How do I send BTC on Paxful using the Lightning Network?

    1. First you’ll need a Lightning invoice—you can create this in the wallet you’re sending BTC to, or the wallet owner can generate it for you. Make sure that this app or exchange supports Lightning transactions.
    2. Head to the Lightning tab of your Paxful Wallet.
    3. Select Send.
    4. Paste the invoice you received or scan the QR code.
    5. Confirm the amount you’re sending and click Pay. 
    6. Your transaction will be processed in seconds. Please keep in mind that transactions made on the Lightning Network cannot be reversed.

    How do I receive BTC on Paxful using the Lightning Network?

    1. Head to the Lightning tab of your Paxful Wallet.
    2. Click Receive and enter the amount you’d like to receive.
    3. Share the invoice with the wallet you’d like to receive the payment from, or scan the QR code.
    4. Once the transaction is initiated, you’ll receive your BTC in seconds—no need to wait for confirmations, all transactions are final.

    What are the fees associated with Lightning?

    When you send BTC using the Lightning Network on Paxful, you’ll be charged a 1% fee on the amount of BTC you’re sending. Paxful doesn’t charge a fee for receiving BTC via Lightning.

    Where did the funds from my Lightning transaction go?

    If you received funds from a Lightning transaction, they will be added to your Paxful BTC Wallet balance. Any time you use the Lightning Network to send and receive funds with your Paxful Wallet, your BTC wallet will be used.

Converting Cryptocurrency

Converting Cryptocurrency

  • What is Transfer to Bank? How do I use it?

    Transfer to Bank lets you convert BTC into ZAR (South African Rand) and transfer the changed currency into your bank account. This functionality allows users to have better access to digital currencies and it further helps users seamlessly integrate their crypto needs into their everyday lives. 

    How does it work?  

    Transferring your crypto to your account can be done in five easy steps. Keep reading to see how you can use the functionality. 

      1. Start from the Paxful home page and head to your Wallet

        Transfer_to_Bank_KB_Step_1.png
      2. Within your Wallet, hit the tab Transfer to Bank 

        Transfer_to_Bank_KB_Step_2.png
      3. Then decide how much crypto you would like to exchange and transfer to your bank account. You will also be able to see how much ZAR you’ll be receiving.

        Transfer_to_Bank_KB_Step_3.png

        Note:

        Keep in mind that there is a flat fee of 60 ZAR associated with each transfer.

      4. After you confirm the amount, you will have to input the following information: 
        - Your full name
        - Your bank’s name
        - Your account number
        - Your branch code


        Transfer_to_Bank_KB_Step_4_.png

      5. You will be asked to review the amount of ZAR you want to transfer to your bank account.
        Transfer_to_Bank_KB_Step_5.png

        Note:

        You will be asked to enter a 2FA code for security purposes. To ensure you have 2FA set up properly, visit our help center article.

      6. That’s it! Once you have successfully transferred the amount, you’ll see the confirmation page below.

        Transfer_to_Bank_Step_6.png

    Note:

    Transfers are processed between 10:00am - 11:00am SAST and 3:00pm - 4:00pm SAST. Deposits made after 4:00 pm SAST will be processed the following day. If you post a transaction between these times, and you don’t see your transaction posted on Paxful, we recommend you reach out to our support team

    See the image below on what a posted transaction should look like: Transfer_to_Bank_Step_6_note.png

  • Converting Ethereum FAQs

    You can convert your ETH into any of the cryptocurrencies on the platform directly in your Paxful Wallet. Here are common questions about the conversion.

    What is the minimum amount of ETH I can convert?

    ETH to BTC: 0.0001 BTC equivalent
    ETH to USDT: 5 USDT

    What are the fees associated with converting ETH?
    You can check out the full list of fees here.
    My conversion wasn’t successful. What should I do?

    Some conversions will go through after a few seconds so hang tight! If your conversion is successful, you’ll see a green banner to let you know. If your conversion is unsuccessful, your funds should return to your account within a few minutes. Once the funds have returned, you can try the conversion again. 

    My conversion wasn’t successful, and the funds are reserved for conversion or appear to be lost. What should I do?
    Let us know the transaction ID associated with your conversion and our support team will take a look.
  • Converting Bitcoin FAQs

    You can convert your BTC into any of the cryptocurrencies on the platform directly in your Paxful Wallet. Here are some of the commonly asked questions about converting your BTC:

    What are the fees for converting BTC?
    For the full list of fees, take a look at this article
    What are the minimum amounts of BTC I can convert?
    BTC to USDT: 1 USDT equivalent 
    BTC to ETH: 0.0001 BTC
    My conversion wasn't successful. What to do?
    Some conversions will go through after a few seconds so hang tight! If your conversion is successful, you’ll see a green banner to let you know. If your conversion is unsuccessful, your funds should return to your account within a few minutes. Once the funds have returned, you can try the conversion again. 
    My conversion wasn't successful, and funds are reserved for conversion or appear to be lost. What to do?
    Please let us know the transaction ID associated with your conversion and our support team will take a look.

     

  • Converting Tether FAQs

    You can convert your USDT into any of the cryptocurrencies on the platform directly in your Paxful Wallet. Here's what you need to know to complete the process.

    Why would I want to convert my crypto into USDT?
    Converting cryptocurrencies into Tether gives you an opportunity to store your funds in the form of a stablecoin, which helps you eliminate the effect of market volatility and fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin.
    What are the fees for converting USDT?
    For the full list of fees, take a look at this article
    What are the minimum amounts of USDT I can convert?
    USDT to BTC: 1 USDT
    USDT to ETH: 5 USDT
    My conversion wasn't successful. What to do?
    Some conversions will go through after a few seconds so hang tight! If your conversion is successful, you’ll see a green banner to let you know. If your conversion is unsuccessful, your funds should return to your account within a few minutes. Once the funds have returned, you can try the conversion again. 
    My conversion wasn't successful, and funds are reserved for conversion or appear to be lost. What to do?
    Please let us know the transaction ID associated with your conversion and our support team will take a look.

     

Rewards Program

Rewards Program

  • Rewards Program FAQs

    The Paxful Rewards Program recognizes and awards users with extra benefits, giving them a badge and premium access to exclusive advantages on the marketplace. Here’s a breakdown of what makes up the Paxful Rewards Program:

    Benefits

    The Paxful Trader Program has a series of levels that come with different benefits.

    Trader Program

    Power Trader

    • A badge on your profile
    • Be the first to try new features
    • Instant disputes
    • No bond requirement on gift card trades
    • Priority support

    Expert Trader

    • Badge on your profile
    • Be the first to try new features
    • Featured offers (available to members with dedicated account managers)
    • Sell offer promotion (available to members with dedicated account managers)
    • Instant disputes
    • No bond requirement on gift card trades
    • Priority support
    • Dedicated account manager (we have temporarily paused this benefit)
    • Customized fees (we have temporarily paused this benefit)

    Requirements

    If you’re interested in joining the Trader Program, you’ll automatically be enrolled when you meet these requirements:

    Power Trader

    • Follow our Terms of Service
    • Have an account for at least 90 days
    • Verified ID and proof of address
    • A good behavior score*
    • 250 trades every 90 days

    Expert Trader

    • Follow our Terms of Service
    • Have an account for at least 90 days
    • Verified ID and proof of address
    • A good behavior score*
    • 1,000 trades every 90 days

    *Paxful considers good behavior to be honest trading, prompt release times, keeping the trade on Paxful, etc. You can refer to our Terms of Services for more information on what is acceptable on the marketplace.

    *To be a good trader on Paxful, we expect honest trading, prompt release times, keeping the trade on Paxful, etc. You can refer to our Terms of Service for more information on acceptable behavior when using the marketplace.

    **A trade must be worth 20 USD or more to count toward the Trader Program.

    **Some benefits of the Paxful Trader Program may be paused.

    How can I keep track of my progress?

    You can track your progress through the Progress Bar located in your Classic Dashboard. The Progress Bar shows all of your trading activities and what you need to do to advance to the next level of the Trader Program.

Mobile Wallet

Mobile Wallet

  • Paxful Mobile Wallet

    The Paxful Wallet for Android and iOS makes it easy for users to send, receive, and store cryptocurrency anywhere and anytime. The crypto Wallet App is also the ultimate companion tool to Paxful, one of the world’s biggest peer-to-peer cryptocurrency marketplaces.

    Use the Paxful wallet to:

    • Send and receive crypto in your own private cryptocurrency wallet that lets you transact with anyone at any time, anywhere.
    • Safely store your hard-earned crypto and check your balance in real-time.
    • Track your open trades on Paxful so you know the current status of your most recent transactions as you buy and sell cryptocurrency.
    • Share your cryptocurrency wallet address or QR code with other traders and friends.
    • Personalize your Paxful wallet profile so people you transact with know it’s you.
    • Get updated crypto-to-fiat conversion rates at your convenience. 

    So, are you ready to send, receive, and store your cryptocurrency in a more effective, smarter, and faster way? Download the Paxful Wallet now from Google Play Store or App Store to put the power of Paxful in the palm of your hand!

     

  • Mobile App: Issues and Solutions
    Find out how to troubleshoot issues that you encounter on your Paxful App such as fingerprint, sign-in, ID verification, and more.
     
    What Are the Steps for Basic Troubleshooting?
    This is a solution for the majority of possible issues related to the Paxful app:
    • Restart your app.
    • Make sure you are connected to the internet (do a speed test to confirm). 
    • Make sure the app is of the latest version. Please open the app in the Google Play Store or in the App Store and download the updates if any.
    How to Set Up a Fingerprint?
    Fingerprint can be enabled on the Account tab in the Security section:
    • iOS fingerprint option should be enabled on a device first. If fingerprint recognition fails more than 3 times - a pin will be required.
    • Android devices should support the fingerprint option and it should be activated in device settings. As standard, there is no limit for attempts. If the fingerprint scan is not working, just close the window and use a pin instead.
    How to Solve the Sign-in Issue?
    Sign in issues:
    • There is an option on each password field to show the password. Please check if you are entering the right password.
    • Some issues might be because you use an old version of the app. System forces time to update to the latest versions, but still no 100% hit. Please open the app in the Google Play Store or in the Appstore and download the latest version.
    • Antibot-solutions that we use might block users if some suspicious activity was detected on the device, network, region, etc. In case if you have tried all previous steps, please contact us to investigate your specific case.
    How to Solve Issues Related to ID Verification?
    Make sure you have allowed access to your device camera. For more information on the possible verification issues, click here.
    How to Solve the 2FA Issue?
    Read about the possible solutions for any issues related to 2FA here.
    How to Contact Support?
    If following our basic troubleshooting steps wasn't successful, don't hesitate to contact our support team.

Partnership

Affiliate Program

  • Paxful Affiliate Program Update

    The Affiliate Program rewards users when they invite friends on Paxful with a commission every time their affiliate buys Bitcoin. Effective October 4th, the Paxful Affiliate program will temporarily pause as we ensure that the outcome of the program is mutually beneficial for both us and the entire Paxful community.

    While we don’t have a timeline on when the program will resume, please know that we’re working to get it back up and running and stronger than ever.

    Below, we’ve included some FAQs to assist with the transition.

     

    Q: Why are you pausing this program?

    A: Building this community has been a collaboration and we sincerely value your contribution as we work to build a financial system that serves the 100%. In order to sustain that mission, we are taking a step back to ensure that this program works for everyone.

     

    Q: When will the program start again?

    A: We are actively working on what the future program will look like and will update the community when we can. 

     

    Q: Do I still have access to my funds from my referrals? 

    A: Absolutely. Your current balance will still be available and can be found under the Affiliates tab in the Referral Dashboard. From there, your earnings can be transferred to your main wallet without the $10 USD minimum, which has been waived.

     

    Q: I’m going to miss the Affiliate program. Is there anything else I can do to earn extra money with Paxful?

    A: Check out Paxful University for tips and tricks to make the most out of the platform!

     

    Q: There’s a requirement to complete ID and address verification after earning $300 USD in Bitcoin for affiliate earnings before you can withdraw. Does that still stand? 

    A: Yes, this requirement is still in effect.  

     

Paxful Bitcoin Kiosk

Paxful Bitcoin Kiosk

  • Paxful Bitcoin Kiosk
    The Paxful Bitcoin Kiosk is a secure and fully customizable widget that can be embedded into your website or social media account(s).
     
    What is Paxful virtual kiosk?
    The virtual kiosk is a special interface allowing you to buy bitcoin peer-to-peer with a step-by-step process.
    How fast can I set up my kiosk?
    It’s a simple 3-step process and you should be able to have it up and running in a matter of minutes.
    How safe is it for my customers?
    Your customers will receive the same security features they'd find on Paxful. 
    What are the different configuration options?
    The widget can be configured to show all offers, specific payment method offers or a specific offer. The Kiosk can be configured to deposit bitcoin to either the buyer or to any outside external BTC address.
    Which geographies does it support?
    The kiosk serves all customers globally outside of OFAC countries, just as our main platform does. We have stronger user bases in every major country and national currency.
    How do I get registered for a kiosk?
    Set up an account at Paxful.com, then fill out an institutional KYC form.
    What are the maximum and minimum payments possible?
    The minimum trade amount is 10 dollars (also in other currencies). There is no direct limitation to the purchase sizes, but for large sums, a vendor can request additional KYC procedures.
    Where is my client's bitcoin sent?
    Your client’s bitcoin can be sent to an omnibus wallet held by you, or to their unique wallet address on your platform.
    How does the Kiosk handle chargeback risk?
    Chargeback risk is borne by the sellers on Paxful's platform. Once your client's bitcoin is sent to you, there is no chargeback risk to your business.
    How do I track my earnings?
    Every time a trade completes successfully you can track your earnings from your Kiosk Dashboard. On each successful transaction, you will get an email and your Kiosk balance will rise.
    How often do I get paid?
    You will earn a fee each time a trade is made in real-time. It goes straight to your Kiosk balance.
    How much control do I have? Do my visitors ever leave my site?
    The Kiosk link can be configured to open in a new tab OR can be configured to open inside an iframe. You can set it up to be embedded as an iframe right into pages so that visitors never leave your website. As a part of the process, the buyers will need to register as Paxful users.
    How is the money paid out?
    Your earnings are stored as bitcoin in your Kiosk account. You can also sell on Paxful for a fee to bitcoin buyers, making even more!
    What happens if there is a dispute?
    We have a large, well-trained staff that is over 100 people strong. They moderate and resolve disputes 24/7.
    How flexible is it? Can I set it only for certain currencies?
    You will be able to specify a starting currency. Even if you don't select a currency, it will be auto-selected based on a visitor’s location with 99% accuracy.
    I am a Paxful vendor, can I use this as a checkout on my site that goes right to my offers?
    Yes! Paxful checkout can easily be made to show only your offers if you pass your offer ID as an argument and only your specific offer will be shown. It will basically serve as an escrow plugin for your site and your customers won't ever think they left your website. Refer to our developer docs on how to customize the widget.
    Can I customize the look and feel of the kiosk?
    Yes. You can customize the color and add your own branding to it.
    How much can I hope to earn? And how do I know?
    How much you can earn depends on the kind of traffic your site gets and how many purchases take place.
    What is your KYC process? Can it be customized for us?
    We have a tailored and customizable KYC system based on third party software Jumio. KYC’d users require ID, selfie, and POA. There are tiered structures based on volume and geography that require users to KYC.

     

    I have a bitcoin startup and my users need bitcoin. Can I use this as a tool for our users to buy bitcoin?
    Yes. Paxful’s Kiosk is the ideal solution for you. By setting up our Kiosk on your exchange, you deliver a quick and easy fiat on-ramp for your customers.
  • Buying Bitcoin With Virtual Kiosk

    Paxful is the leading peer-to-peer bitcoin marketplace delivering financial freedom to all corners of the world. Our Kiosk extends this freedom to digital currency exchanges to help their customers fund their accounts with bitcoin. What’s more? You earn automatic affiliate revenue on all purchases made by new customers you bring to Paxful.

    Go to our bitcoin kiosk page and click See it in action for a quick interactive walkthrough to help you understand how it all works. This will get you up to speed in no time.

Business Services

Paxful Pay Point of Sale (PoS)

  • Paxful Pay Point of Sale (PoS)

    Paxful Pay PoS is a payment solution for brick-and-mortar stores to accept payments in cryptocurrency. Merchants can also track store sales through Paxful Pay PoS.

     

    How do I share Paxful Pay PoS with my staff?

    What is the payment process?

    How do conversions to other cryptocurrencies work?

    How do I add a new store?

    Are there any fees?

    Order pricing in local currency

     

    How do I share Paxful Pay PoS with my staff?

    Each store has a unique link and PIN code to share with staff so they have access to Paxful Pay PoS and can serve customers.

    The link and the PIN code should be copied by a merchant and shared with staff at the merchant’s discretion.

    What is the payment process?

    1. A buyer visits a merchant’s brick-and-mortar store and wants to buy goods.
    2. A cashier logs in to Paxful Pay PoS.
    3. The cashier creates an order.
    4. The buyer pays the order using their Lightning BTC wallet.
    5. The order’s invoice is paid.
    6. Funds are credited to the merchant’s Paxful user account (in BTC or USDT by merchant’s choice).

    How do conversions to other cryptocurrencies work?

    Merchants can choose to receive payments in USDT. To do this, they need to contact the Paxful support team. From there, the merchant will see a respective option within Paxful Pay PoS:

    Cashier_App_Conversion_Tab.png

    Conversion process:

    1. Buyer pays in BTC.
    2. Merchant receives BTC into their Paxful user account.
    3. BTC is auto-converted into USDT.
    4. Merchant receives the USDT equivalent of the paid BTC invoice into their Paxful user account.
    5. If the conversion service is down, the merchant will be paid in BTC.

    How do I add a new store to Paxful Pay PoS?

    To add a new store to Paxful Pay PoS:

    1. Log into the app with your Paxful credentials.
    2. Select Create Your First Store.
      Cashier_App_-_Create_Store_Step_2.png
    3. From there, you can enter the store name, location, and icon.
      Cashier_App_-_Create_Store_Step_3.png
    4. After adding the store, it will be displayed within the app with a unique store link and auto-generated PIN code to be shared with staff.
      Cashier_App_-_Create_Store_Step_4.png
    5. Note: You can add as many stores as you want to Paxful Pay PoS.
      Cashier_App_-_Create_Store_Step_5.png

    Are there any fees involved?

    • Service fee: 0%
    • Conversion fee (from BTC to USDT): 0.5%

    Note: These fees are subject to change.

    Order pricing in local currencies

    For orders created in BTC it is possible to also show the equivalent amount in a local currency. 

    1. Log into the app with your Paxful credentials.
    2. Select the Store’s settings
    3. From there, you can choose your local currency.

     

Paxful Pay

  • Paxful Pay - Buyer's Perspective - Existing Users

    If you already have a Paxful account and want to buy Bitcoin from the Paxful Bitcoin Kiosk, here's how to complete a transaction:

    Existing user with enough funds

    1. Visit merchant website. 
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_1.png
    2. Add items to cart.
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_2.png
    3. Go to checkout page and enter shipping details.
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_3.png
    4. Select Paxful Pay as a payment method.
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_4.png
    5. Login with existing account that has enough funds.Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_5.png

    6. Enter password for wallet transfer request.
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_6.png
    7. The payment is sent to the merchant and the user is redirected to the merchant website.
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_7.png
    8. User will receive a confirmation notification in their Paxful account.
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_8.png
      Existing_User_W__Balance_Step_9.png

     

    Existing user without funds

    1. Visit merchant website.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_1.png
    2. Add items to cart.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_2.png
    3. Go to checkout page and enter shipping details.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_3.png
    4. Select Paxful Pay as a payment method.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_4.png
    5. Login with existing account that doesn’t have enough funds.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_5.png
    6. If user doesn’t have any funds in their wallet, a list of trades will show up for the user and they will be asked to complete a trade.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_6.png
    7. The user will be redirected to a regular trade screen.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_7.png
    8. After the trade is completed the user will be directed to their wallet and ask password for wallet transfer.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_8.png
    9. The payment is sent to the merchant and the user is redirected to the merchant website.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_9.png
    10. User will receive a confirmation notification in their Paxful account.
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_10.png
      Existing_User_W_o_Balance_Step_11.png
  • Paxful Pay - Buyer's Perspective - New Users

    For users who don't have a Paxful account yet, here's a step-by-step guide on how to buy Bitcoin using the Paxful Bitcoin Kiosk.

    New Users

    1. Visit merchant website.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_1.png
    2. Add items to cart.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_2.png
    3. Go to checkout page and enter shipping details.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_3.png
    4. Select Paxful Pay as a payment method.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_4.png
    5. Create a new user or login with existing user.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_5.png
    6. If user doesn’t have a balance in their wallet a list of trades will show up for the user to complete a trade to get crypto.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_6.png
      The user needs to be verified for the trade. So we provide email and phone number verifications.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_6_-_Email.png
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_6_-_Phone.png
      After verification the user will be redirected to a regular trade screen.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_6_-_Trade.png
    7. If the user has enough balance or completed a trade and accumulated enough balance for the cart the wallet transfer is done.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_7.png
    8. User is redirected back to merchant website.
      Paxful_Pay_New_User_Checkout_Step_8.png
  • Changing Paxful Pay Buttons

    We changed the name of Pay With Paxful to Paxful Pay, please update the button you have on your website if yours is outdated. Designs for the new buttons can be found in the Settings section of your Merchant Dashboard. You can download any of them in PNG or SVG format to use on your website.

    Paxful_Pay_Change_Button.png

    Installing these buttons are dependent on your site design. These buttons are optional and require basic coding to integrate into your site. 

    For more information, check out the developer documentation here.

  • Paxful Pay
    With Paxful Pay, your customers can pay for goods or services purchased on your e-commerce website using various payment methods.
     
    What is Paxful Pay?
    Paxful Pay is an integration you can set up with your e-commerce/business website. The integration adds a button that allows buyers to pay with payment methods such as gift cards, online wallets, etc.

    Paxful Pay is great regardless of what you're selling, whether it's services online or physical products. The integration allows you to add new payment methods, in addition to the ones you currently have. You don’t have to worry as the process is chargeback free.

    As a merchant, you do need to be willing to accept payment in BTC but there are many ways to convert it to your local fiat currency.

    How does it work?
    Paxful Pay brings together three sides: merchants (selling something), buyers (wanting to buy something), and Paxful vendors (exchanging buyer payment methods to BTC). The solution is unique as transactions are handled through the robust Paxful platform trades (which are peer-to-peer).

    Merchants have control over the configuration of the solution and can track every transaction through a tracking ID. On every successful payment, a callback can be configured which can be set up to release the goods to the buyers on the merchant side.

    Merchants have a complete transaction list available on their Paxful Merchant Dashboard.

    How secure is Paxful Pay?
    The Paxful Pay integration uses our secure escrow system and battle-tested platform. Your buyers are safe.
    As a merchant, you are safe as Paxful uses a secure URL token system to prevent phishing. To enable automatic send-outs to your Bitcoin address, you’ll need to use our secure token system. Check out the developer page for more information.
    Expected earnings with Paxful Pay and how to track them.

    The amount you can earn depends on the number of completed transactions. 

    With every successful transaction, you’ll see the transaction in the Merchant Dashboard. You can also set up a “callback solution” to automate the actions on your end.

    Payments are handled in Bitcoin. This means you can keep them as BTC in your Merchant account for exchange for EUR/USD/etc. There are many services available for this, you can even use exchanges such as Kraken.

    Note: There is an extra step to move the funds from your merchant account to your Paxful wallet, but don't worry—this won't cost you anything.

    How much control do I have? Do my visitors ever leave my site?
    The Kiosk link can be configured to open in a new tab or it can be configured to open inside an iframe. You can set it up so the solution is embedded as an iframe right into pages so that visitors don't have to leave your website. As a part of the process, your users will need to register as Paxful users, but you as a merchant can make the process smoother by providing the user email together with the generated URL so it would be pre-filled for users.
    What are the different configuration options?
    You can choose how you want to configure the link. There are some options regarding:
    Currency: You can request the payment in either BTC or in FIAT currency (Paxful can convert the sum based on the market price).
    Sum: Normally you define this, but there is an option to request all users’ Paxful balance (or if the balance is 0, then let the user define it).
    Registration: You can define the user email, to make the purchase process easier.
    Receiver: By default, funds are deposited on your merchant account balance but it is possible to configure deposits to any Bitcoin address.
    Callback: You have to define the Callback address which can handle the callback parameters.

    The full list of technical parameters is available here: https://developers.paxful.com/documentation/paxful-pay.

    How easy is it to use?
    For merchants, setting the integration up is easy. You need to do some coding to configure the link generation.

    For buyers, the purchase process will be a bit different. They need to complete a trade with another person.

    What are the fees involved?
    As a Merchant, there are no fees to use Paxful Pay.

    Please refer to this article for the full list of Paxful fees. 

    What are the minimum and maximum payments possible?
    A merchant can request any sum, but the minimum trade amount is 10 dollars (also in other currencies). Any amount larger than the amount requested by the merchant will stay in the buyer's Paxful balance and they can use it or withdraw it at any time.

    There is no direct limitation to the purchase sizes but for large sums, a buyer might have to do multiple trades, and also vendor can request additional KYC procedures.

    Where can I find more information about Paxful Pay?
    You can learn more about Paxful Pay here, and the developer’s guide can be found here.

     

  • Paxful Pay WooCommerce Plugin: Installation And Configuration Guide

    Paxful Pay is fully compatible with WordPress websites and can be integrated easily using the Paxful Pay Woocommerce plugin.

    To set up and configure WooCommerce plugin for your Paxful payments, follow these steps:

    1. Install Paxful Pay WooCommerce plugin for Wordpress:
    2. Minimum requirements for WooCommerce plugin:
      • WooCommerce 3 or greater
    3. Configure Paxful Payments for WooCommerce plugin:
      • Launch Wordpress and go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments.
      • Under Payment Methods, find Paxful and click Manage.
        Pay_With_Paxful_Plugin_Step_3.png
      • Setup Merchant properties such as Merchant Id, API key, Secret key, Event Callback URL, Redirect URL and click Save Changes.
        Pay_With_Paxful_Plugin_Step_3c.png
        • Using External Bitcoin Address might cause some transfer fees. When left empty the amount will be transferred to your Paxful merchant wallet.
        • Note: Merchant Id and API key can be found in your Merchant Dashboard in Settings tab → Merchant Detail Panel.
          Pay_With_Paxful_Plugin_Step_3_-_Note_1.png
        • A secret key is created and displayed once after the creation of the merchant in Account → Settings → Developer. Save this key for future reference.
          Pay_With_Paxful_Plugin_Step_3_-_Note_2.png
        • The Event Callback URL and Redirect URL needs to be set correctly for order status changes. You can enter them from Merchant dashboard in Settings tab → Purchase Completed Callback Setup Panel.
          Pay_With_Paxful_Step_3_-_Note_3.png
    4. Select Paxful Payment:
      • Choose Paxful payment in order
        Pay_With_Paxful_Plugin_Step_4.png

    For more customized solutions you can take a look at our developer documentation here.

    Note: Keep an eye out for these plugins we're working on adding: Magento, Shopify, Squarespace, and WiX

Glossary

Definitions

  • Anti-money Laundering (AML)

    AML refers to laws and procedures intended to prevent people from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income. Paxful takes AML protocol seriously, and we abide by all laws, regulations, and procedures.

  • Bitcoin (BTC)

    Bitcoin is a digital currency in which encryption methods are used to regulate the generation of units and transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.

  • Bitcoin address types

    There are three bitcoin address formats currently in use:

    1. P2PKH addresses start  with the number 1.
      Example: 1BvBMSEYstWetqTFn5Au4m4GFg7xJaNVN2.
    2. P2SH addresses start with the number 3.
      Example: 3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy.
    3. Bech32 addresses also known as "bc1 addresses" start with bc1.
      Example: bc1qar0srrr7xfkvy5l643lydnw9re59gtzzwf5mdq. 
    4. QR Codes can also be used as a wallet address.

    Paxful allows withdrawals to P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32 addresses.

     

  • Bitcoin wallet address

    A Bitcoin wallet address is a set of letters and numbers that is used to send and receive Bitcoin. It can be shared publicly if you want other people to send you Bitcoin.

    Here is an example of a Bitcoin wallet address:
    3F1tAaz5x1HUXrCNLbtMDqcw6o12Nn4xqX
    A wallet address can also be presented as a QR code.

  • Block chain, blockchain

     

    The Bitcoin blockchain is a public record of all Bitcoin transactions. You might also hear the term “public ledger” to describe it. The block chain shows every single record of bitcoin transactions in order, dating back to the very first one. The entire block chain can be downloaded and openly reviewed by anyone, or you can use a block explorer to review the block chain online.

  • Coin locking

    Coin locking/coinlock is when a buyer uses the escrow to hold onto the seller's cryptocurrency without the intention to send payment and complete the trade. This is a common case of cryptocurrency fraud.

See all 44 articles

Technical Issues

Technical Problems and Solutions

  • What Do I Do If I Have a Transaction or Hedging Issue?

    There could be a few reasons why your actions on Paxful could be taking longer than usual. This is what to do if you encounter it:

    Check Paxful’s Status Page

    One solution to figuring out why you may be having issues on Paxful is to check our Paxful Status Page. 

    On this page, you can see which areas on Paxful are currently running. You can also see if the Paxful team anticipates any delays. We have status checks for specific areas of Paxful. The areas on the status page include Marketplace, Wallet, Account, Notifications, API, and Mobile Apps.

    Status_Page_KB_Image_1.png

    You can also check for any incidents the site previously underwent. This will tell you if there are any current issues that are being investigated, identified, or resolved.

    Status_Page_KB_Image_2.png

    Check the Transaction Status 

    One of the reasons why your trade may not be completed at a fast rate is that the blockchain is taking time to confirm your trade. This could be due to mempool congestion. In this instance, you can check your Bitcoin transaction status. By doing this you can gather more information about your transaction and where it is in the blockchain.


    What to do if you still don’t have an answer?

    If you still don’t have an answer after following the above steps, we recommend that you reach out to support.

  • Why Did My Wallet Address Change?

    If your Bitcoin wallet address has changed, you shouldn't worry. We've upgraded the way addresses are displayed in your wallet. We now have made it easier for you to see the most recent Bitcoin address created for your latest transaction. Your old bitcoin address is still valid and your coins are still there. If you would like to see your previous Bitcoin addresses, head over to the Addresses tab. If you have further questions please contact our support team.

  • Not Receiving Emails from Paxful

    If you’re not receiving emails from Paxful, here’s what you can do to fix this:

    • Ensure you have logged in to the correct email address which you used to register on Paxful.
    • Check your spam folder. Sometimes our emails could be sitting there.
    • Whitelist Paxful email addresses. Meaning, add our email addresses to your trusted list of senders. (The process may vary from one email service provider to another.)
    • Email addresses to whitelist:
      • help@paxful.com
      • noreply@paxful.com
      • press@paxful.com
      • hello@paxful.com
      • security@paxful.com
      • privacy@paxful.com
    • Ensure that your email client or service provider is working normally.
    • Select a popular email domain if possible.

    Check out our security guide for more information on how to protect your Paxful account. If you receive a suspicious email from our company, read this article to find a solution.

  • Why Do I Receive "Unknown Bitcoin Address" Error Message?

    You may encounter an "Unknown Bitcoin Address" error message when sending Bitcoin to an external wallet. This may happen because:

    • You have entered an incorrect wallet address.
    • You have entered a non-existing wallet address.
    • You have entered an address that is not a Bitcoin network address.

    To resolve this error, do the following: 

    • Verify the wallet address you enter. 
    • Ensure you have entered a valid bitcoin address.
  • Trade Chat Not Opening

    If you started a trade on Paxful but the trade chat won't load or initialize, please follow the following steps to fix the issue:

    • To begin with, please clear the cache and cookies and try using a different browser.
    • If this solution does not work, please check the status on Firebase.
    • If the status is OK, please contact us for additional assistance via our contact form.
See all 11 articles

API

API

  • What is API ?

    Application programming interfaces (APIs) are for developers or businesses that want to create applications to connect with Paxful. For more information, click here.

  • Setting Up Webhooks

    Webhooks allow you to receive real-time HTTPS notifications of events on the Paxful marketplace. For example, we could send you a notification when a new trade starts or whenever your trade partner sends a message in a trade chat. This prevents you from having to query the API for changes to objects that may or may not have happened and helps you avoid reaching your rate limit. This guide will describe how exactly you can set up Webhooks with Paxful.

    We support Webhooks for the following events:

    • New incoming trade on Paxful
    • Message received in trade chat
    • Attachment received in trade chat
    • Someone has viewed your Paxful profile
    • Someone has viewed your offer
    • Trade partner has paid for their crypto
    • Trade was cancelled or has expired
    • Crypto sold successfully
    • Crypto purchased
    • Crypto deposit confirmed
    • Incoming crypto deposit is pending
    • Feedback received from a trade partner
    • New feedback reply received

    Setting up Webhooks

    Note: Make sure your service is ready for receiving Webhooks. During the URL saving process, your service should take the "X-Paxful-Request-Challenge" request header and put it into the response as-is.

    Here is how our request header should appear in your payload (this is a Webhooks service example in Node.js):

    RequestHeader.png

    1. Log in to your Paxful account, hover over your username on the top right of the page and click Settings from the context menu that appears.
    ClickSettings.png

    The Settings page appears.

    2. On the menu on the left side of the page, click Developer.
    Click_Developer.png

    The Developer page appears.

    3. In case you don’t have an API key, insert the two-factor code in the field below and click Add new API key. If you already have an API key, you can skip this step. 
    AddAPIKey.png

    Your new API key appears on the Developer page alongside with additional sections.

    4. Copy the URL from your app.
    Go to the Webhooks section on the Paxful Developer page. Paste the link into the Request URL field and click Save.

    Warning: Our Webhooks are supported by HTTPS address types only. HTTP addresses will not work for this purpose.


    ClickSave.png

    A request header is sent to your app.

    Note: We have a timeout of 10 seconds. In case if we do not receive a response from your app, the URL will not be saved, and a Webhook will not be created.

    5. In case of success, a list of events available for subscription appears below. Tick a box to select an event from the Subscribe to events list.
    Events.png

    Note:

    • Once selected, events are saved automatically.
    • In the case of three failed attempts to send event information to your app, Webhook (URL) becomes disabled. Timeout for calling a Webhook is 3 seconds.
    • To insert a new link, replace the current URL with the new one and click Change
    • To deactivate your Webhooks completely, click Delete.
    • To reactivate a disabled URL, click Retry.
      ClickRetry.png
       

    In case if request URL is saved successfully, this is how our events will appear in your app:

    WebhookexampleEvent.png

    Verifying requests from Paxful

    Paxful creates a unique string for your app and shares it with you. Verify requests from Paxful with confidence by verifying signatures using your signing secret.

    On each HTTPS request sent, we add an "X-Paxful-Signature" HTTPS header. The signature is created by combining the signing secret with the body of the request we're sending using a standard HMAC-SHA256 keyed hash.

    Note: The resulting signature is unique to each request and doesn't directly contain any secret information. That keeps your app secure, preventing bad actors from causing mischief.

    Example in JavaScript

    
    const crypto = require('crypto');
    const express = require('express');
    const app = express();
    const port = 3000;
    const bodyParser = require('body-parser');

    Your API secret from the https://paxful.com/account/developer page:

    
    const apiSecret = 'maE5KV16FV0nDyh7XPm2F8f8FZTdtb5p';
    
    app.use(bodyParser.json());

    When you receive a service address verification request, you should take the "X-Paxful-Request-Challenge" header from the request then put it into the response.

    
    app.use((req, res, next) => {
    

    The address verification request doesn't contain the payload and request signature.

    
      if (!Object.keys(req.body).length && !req.get('X-Paxful-Signature')) {
            console.log('Address verification request received.');
            const challengeHeader = 'X-Paxful-Request-Challenge';
            res.set(challengeHeader, req.get(challengeHeader));
            res.end();
        } else {
            next();
        }
    });

    When you receive event notification, you should verify the "X-Paxful-Signature" header. In case the request contains the wrong signature, do not process it.

    
      app.use((req, res, next) => {
        const providedSignature = req.get('X-Paxful-Signature');
        const calculatedSignature = crypto.createHmac('sha256', apiSecret).update(JSON.stringify(req.body)).digest('hex');
        if (providedSignature !== calculatedSignature) {
            console.log('Request signature verification failed.');
            res.status(403).end();
        } else {
            next();
        }
    });

    Now you can process an event.

    
      app.post('*', async (req, res) => {
        console.log('New event received:');
        console.log(req.body);
        res.end();
    });
    
    app.listen(port, () => console.log(`Example app listening at http://localhost:${port}`));

    Reach out to our Support in case of any additional questions. You can also learn more about our API services in our developers' documentation.

Contact

Help

  • How to Contact Support

    Paxful has an amazing customer support team to provide immediate assistance for all sorts of questions. 

     

    Contact us via the Support widget

    You can ask a question and submit a ticket to us by clicking on the Support Chat icon located at the lower right portion of the page.

    Screenshot_2023-04-25_at_2.55.18_PM.png

    Fill out the necessary details to help us better understand your concern.

    *You may also send us a direct message to help@paxful.zendesk.com and we'll be glad to assist you from there.

    Pro-tip

    • Type in a detailed description, and/or a direct question that you think we should know. You can also attach proof of your claims if needed.
    • Be as specific as possible. Sample information that you can provide in the message are:
      • Trade ID's
      • Transaction ID's
      • Screenshot or video recording of your claims
      • Links

    Note: Paxful support will never contact you outside of help@paxful.com or help@paxful.zendesk.com. Be aware there are fake support emails that may impersonate Paxful. These fake emails may even try to trick you into providing personal account details over social media. Read more about how to keep your information secure in our security guide.

     

     

     

     

  • Reporting a Problem

    Reporting malicious users is a way to keep yourself and the community safe. Here’s what you can report on the Paxful marketplace.

    Report an offer—If you come across an offer that’s suspicious or in clear violation of our Terms of Service, let us know

    Report a problem—Both sellers and buyers can report a problem with a trade, regardless of whether the trade is successful or not. Visit this page to see how to report an issue with your trade.

    Report a scam—If you’re selling cryptocurrency and think that the buyer has sold you an invalid gift card, report it right away

    Report a chargeback—While selling cryptocurrency some payment methods have an option to make a chargeback. This means that after you’ve received payment for your crypto your trade partner can request their funds back, if the third-party payment service allows it. Visit this page for more information on reporting a chargeback.

    Note: If you want to report an issue but your trade hasn’t been cancelled yet, it is better to start a dispute.

    All these reports will be reviewed by specialists and you’ll receive an update via email. Make sure that you’ve explained the problem in detail and submitted enough evidence.

  • Reporting an Offer

    If you come across an offer that is suspicious or in clear violation of our Terms of Service, report it immediately.

    1. On the offer page, click Report a problem.

    Offer-Click-report-a-problem.png

    The Report a problem dialogue box appears.

    Offer-report-a-problem-dialogue.png

    2. Choose a report type, write a detailed description in the Description field, and click Report.

    Report types:

    • Outside escrow—The vendor hints to complete a deal outside Paxful escrow.
    • Bad offer terms—Offer terms are confusing or contradictory.
    • Obvious scam—Anything that clearly violates common sense and our Terms of Service.
    • Negotiation—The offer owner is asking to have a deal with a price different from the one mentioned in the offer details.

    Offer-click-report.png

    Your report has been submitted. 

    Here are some safety tips to help you protect your funds.

  • Reporting a Scam

    If you’re selling cryptocurrency and think that the buyer has sold you an invalid gift card, here’s what you can do.

    Note:

    • If the trade hasn’t been cancelled yet, start a dispute right away.
    • You can report a problem only after the buyer has marked the trade as “Paid”.

     1. On the bottom of the trade page, click ! Report scam.

    Scam-click-report-scam.png

    The Report scam dialogue box appears.

    Report-scam-box.png

    2. Choose a report type, write a detailed description in the Description field, upload any supporting images, and click Submit report.

    Click-report-scam.png

    Your report has been submitted. 

    Here are some safety tips to help you protect your funds. 

  • Reporting a Problem in a Trade

    If you were buying cryptocurrency on Paxful and you think you were scammed by your trade partner, here’s what you can do.

    Note:

    • If your trade hasn’t been cancelled yet, start a dispute right away.
    • You can report a problem only after the buyer has marked the trade as “Paid”.

     1. On the bottom of the trade page, click Report a problem.

    Trade-click-reporting-new.png

    The Report a problem dialogue box appears.

    Offer-report-a-problem-dialogue.png

    2. Choose a report type, write a detailed description in the Description field, and click Report.

    Report types for a seller of cryptocurrency:

    • CoinlockerYour trade partner is not responsive and just holds your cryptocurrency in escrow.
    • ScammerIf your trade partner is trying to obviously scam you. Note that repeated abuse of this report type may get you banned!
    • Abusive languageYour trade partner is using abusive language in chat.
    • Used gift cardGift card is already redeemed.
    • Impersonating moderator—Some user is pretending to be a Paxful moderator. Remember that Paxful moderators have a light blue background behind their text!
    • OtherThere’s no type that matches your problem.

    Report types for a buyer of cryptocurrency:

    • Abusive language—Your trade partner is using abusive language in chat.
    • Unresponsive trade partner—Your trade partner is not responding. (Please wait a couple of minutes before reporting)
    • Ripper—Your trade partner has ripped you off.
    • Outside escrow—Your trade partner hints to complete a deal outside Paxful escrow.
    • Other—There’s no type that matches your problem.

    TRade-click-report.png

    Your report has been submitted. 

    Here are some safety tips to help you protect your funds.

     

  • Reporting a Chargeback

    A chargeback is when a payment you received has been retracted. This guide explains how to report a chargeback if it happens to you.

    Some payment methods have an option of a chargeback. This means that after you’ve received a payment for your crypto your trade partner can request their funds back. A chargeback may happen as it is allowed by some third-party services that are used as payment methods.

    As a reminder, Paxful is not obligated to initiate or handle chargebacks and is not liable if a party reverses, charges back, or otherwise disputes a transaction via an avenue made available to the party through the payment method used in the transaction, including after a dispute is closed.

    If this does happen, here is what you can do:

    Note:

    • You can report a chargeback only for the following payment methods: Amazon Gift Card, Bank Transfer, MTN Mobile Money, PayPal, Zelle Pay.
    • You can report a chargeback only after a trade has been completed (cryptocurrency has been released from the trade escrow).
    • After receiving your report, we’ll do our best to solve the case. However, we don’t guarantee your funds at 100%.
    • Make sure you’ve investigated the issue with your bank or wallet service provider before submitting a report with us.
    • If you’ve already submitted a report, please give us some time to get back to you with our response. Thank you for your patience!

    1. Open the trade in the list of your past trades: Dashboard > View past trades

    2. On the bottom of the trade page, click Report a chargeback.
    click-report-a-chargeback.png
    The Report a chargeback dialogue box appears.
    Reporting-a-chargeback-dialogue-box.png

    3. On the Report a chargeback dialogue box, do the following:

    • Choose one of the reasons for your report;
    • Tick all boxes if any;
    • Write any additional information into the Additional information field (sender’s name, email, and so on);
    • Click Upload to upload a screenshot of any chargeback related messages and one screenshot of your wallet balance;
    • Click Report chargeback to submit your request.

    Click-Report-Chargeback.png
    A confirmation dialogue box appears.

    4. In the confirmation dialogue box, click Okay.
    Click-Okay.png

    We’ve received your report and will get back to you as soon as possible.

    Tip: You can check the status of your report on the bottom of your trade page at any time. There are three chargeback report statuses:

    • Pending
    • Confirmed
    • Dismissed

     Chargeback-report-status.png

    You can also report a chargeback through the Contact Form

    To get started, we’ll need a video recording of:

    • The transaction indicating the date and amount received
    • The transaction indicating the date and payment reversal

    We’ll also need the trade ID where this happened. 

    Here are some safety tips to help you protect your funds in the future.

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