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AGORA's Escrow Service
1146 sats \ 0 comments \ @AGORA 5h AGORA
zaps forwarded to @AG (51%)

Mission Statement

With this initiative, we, myself @AGORA and @AG, aim to add trust and reliability to online bitcoin transactions at minimal costs for stackers and increase the use of bitcoin as medium of exchange (MoE). We see the latest as an indispensable tool to build a free and open market, ruled exclusively by moral values and ethical trades. This bitcoin-only escrow service intend to protect both buyers and sellers, providing an independent, impartial dispute resolution when and if needed.

Spending Bitcoin? Use protection. Just in case.

Buy and sell anything using Bitcoin Peer-to-Peer (P2P) with peace of mind. We ensure safe and secure Bitcoin P2P transactions while significantly increasing trust and honor between parties (reducing scams and fraud). This service is not enforced, but we invite you to add AGORA details as third party in your trades, and we will intervene only if necessary under request. It might make sense just in case it things go wrong.
The fact to add a truly neutral third party, that is unbiased and uninterested in either side, will add more chances in both side that the trade participants will behave honestly during the process. We have been running this marketplace for nearly two years now, and we felt the absence of this service is one of the main blockers for stackers to trade more openly and confidently, with full anonymity if and when needed.
Escrow are not only for online trade. So we are working to make sure we soon can guarantee IRL trades providing a safe spot for shipping physical items. The rules will be the same, stay tuned!

Rules

  • AGORA Escrow Service is NOT a bank. Escrows are for a period of 30 days and an additional 1% gift (or BTC minimum if higher) will be required for each 30 day period thereafter (detracted from the final payout).
  • For multiSig transactions, our escrow's Bitcoin address indicated below need to be included in the initial multiSig transaction.
  • Fee must be included over the trade value at the initial transaction, and guarantee resolution if required.
  • Escrow service to be contacted only in case of dispute, as mature adults we trust you are able to trade without our intervention.
  • Refund to a bitcoin address that is not the sending address without a signed message from the sending address or prior agreement.

Verify, always

Don't trust AGORA, double-check the authenticity of this statement, verifying this message with your preferred wallet or any other Bitcoin Message tools. It's a good practice and habit, better you start being confident doing so if you aim to use bitcoin as a MoE.
Address
bc1qwcyfx0mfgxxuuf6yf2f04egjhh2xcgw8t2egf0
Message
The below details are the only ones we will ever ask you to send BTC to, receive encrypted messages from, and the only bitcoin address we will ever sign multiSig transactions with. If different, someone is probably impersonating AGORA and trying to stole your sats: 

Bitcoin:
- onchain address: bc1qwcyfx0mfgxxuuf6yf2f04egjhh2xcgw8t2egf0
- pubKey: 035456cd14b542133930c5ee26f99ac97daae8e81cf7301719750db89f97654810
- lighting address: AGORA@coinos.io

Nostr:
- npub: npub13kkpytvjcxsqka9pdshw3094urgh8fxwx7ru258lved9wr7f35mspal584
- NIP-05: AGORA@stacker.news

Signed today Oct 4th 2025
Signature
H28dTVrTThTp61hblZdLqGHXsQhmIF7S1999pNBOZ/8gG1kr56Qb94TYGqiTdwvfch/xIzKNeiNlrLlKt79VNi4=

Pricing

Understand and determine your fees effortlessly with our straightforward pricing calculator, designed for ease and clarity.

Remember, 1-4-1 = 1% for 1 Month. That's it!

We apply one simple rule, easy to remember, 1-4-1, 1% for 1 Month trade duration. No exceptions, no hassles, no victims, and everyone happy. Transparency first, so we like to put things clear, all cards on the table. It's important for all the parties to know what the rules are. The key is 1-4-1, should be enough to remind all how the game should play out for the benefits of all parties. We reserve the right to refuse anything that possibly does not follow the indications below:

No hidden fees, ever.

  • 1% or minimum of 0.0021BTC (the greater one would be the included fee).
  • Dispute resolution fees are covered by the escrow fee.
  • Fees are deducted from the final payout.
  • 1 month (30 days) is the maximum escrow period.
  • An extra 1% storage fee will be added for each additional month.

Fee Split options

Must be agreed and communicated on the escrow request ⁂:
  • Buyer pays escrow fee
  • Seller pays escrow fee
  • 50% Buyer / 50% Seller ⁂ We offer multiple tools to accommodate your trade needs. See the list of available tools below, check the code on the respective repository, and select the one that most suit your needs. Do not hesitate to get in touch in case you need further information or support.

Identify Red Flags Early

If you notice any of the following, abort the deal immediately. 🚩 Can't verify escrow 🚩 Seller wants 2-of-2 multiSig 🚩 Seller generates keys “for convenience” 🚩 Rushed pressure to fund “immediately” 🚩 No clear dispute resolution process

How to start an Escrow

Depending on the tool you'll use, you'll need different information. However, for building trust with the counterparty, it's good practice to ask for the following information. These details are safe to share without any privacy implication or risk of loss. Remember to NEVER disclose publicly what is defined as private information like shipping addresses, emails, and names. If you are not dealing with shippable items, there's no need to ask more than the following details and successfully complete the trade.

Gather the details

Buyer's Name or Nym: _______________________________________
Buyer's Npub or NIP-05*¹: ____________________________________
Buyer's Refund BTC Address*²: _______________________________
Buyer's pubkey*³:  __________________________________________

Escrow's Name or Nym: _AGORA_______________________________
Escrow's Npub or NIP-05*¹: _AGORA@stacker.news_______________
Escrow's Release BTC Address*²: bc1qwcyfx0mfgxxuuf6yf2f04egjhh2xcgw8t2egf0
Escrow's pubkey*³: 035456cd14b542133930c5ee26f99ac97daae8e81cf7301719750db89f97654810

Seller's Name or Nym: _______________________________________
Seller's Npub or NIP-05*¹: ____________________________________
Seller's Release BTC Address*²: _______________________________
Seller's pubkey*³: ____________________________________________

Agreement terms: ___________________________________________
if, ________________________________________________________
then, _____________________________________________________

Agreement value*: _______________ BTC
Escrow 1% Fees*: _______________ BTC
Total Amount*: _________________ BTC
* mandatory items ¹ ² both required if using nostr escrow tools. See below for more details ² ³ both required if using bitcoin onchain multiSig.

Traditional multiSig Escrow

In the old good times, there were not web apps, nor trustless escrow services that could satisfy the P2P demand on such service. Creating a 2-of-3 multiSig addresses (meaning requiring two out of three signatures to complete a transaction) was, and still is, the best and most secure and anonymous option for the buyer, seller, and the mediator when trading non-shippable items. Has been the way-to-go for over a decade, and it still a common practice today for those that have been in the industry for that long. In a few steps, that's what happen:
Escrow Process Our escrow process is almost entirely automated self-served (by you). However, for security reasons we manually process all release of funds and the dispute resolution services, when requested and if needed.
Overview
  • Buyer or seller start an 2-of-3 escrow transaction including escrow details
  • Buyer and seller confirm their npubs, pubkeys, and bitcoin addresses
  • Buyer sends bitcoins to the multiSig, committing the funds to the transaction
  • Seller sends item(s) to buyer
  • Inspection period begins when buyer receives item(s)
  • Trade can end with two outcomes
  1. if The transaction goes well, the buyer sends a partially signed transaction spending the multiSig output to the seller address and sends the partially signed bitcoin transaction (PSBT) to the seller. The seller then signs the tx and broadcasts it to receive the sats.
  2. if Buyer is unhappy after receiving the item(s), should try to work out the matter with the seller till they agree on any split of the money. It would involve the same steps as in option (1) with the exception that now the money is divided (under any agreed percentage) between the buyer and the seller. No escrow interference here.
  3. if the buyer and seller can't work things out, the escrow steps in, ear from both parties to define a resolution, the money is split between the three addresses (buyer, seller, fee for escrow)
Nowadays, with all explosion of automated software programs and online platforms, this practice, if not common with onchain management software or, is something that the new wave of bitcoiners aren't aware. They are probably not willing to learn due to its complexity and the too-much-responsibility factor involved when compared with the most modern user-friendly alternatives. Technical and cryptographic knowledge are a bonus to operate trustlessly with bitcoin multiSig. Indeed, it's worth making an effort to learn the process, as it was worth years ago to learn how to send an email instead of a written letter. If you or the other party is not confident, should learn more or use third parties services, we will suggest some alternatives below.

Suggested Bitcoin Wallets to Use

The most stable and recognized software to manage bitcoin multiSig transactions are Electrum and Sparrow wallets. They both run on all major OS desktop distributions (Linux, MacOS, and Windows), support testnet environments, and are Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Download them for free and play with worthless coins.
A notable mention goes to @AndreasGriffin's Bitcoin-Safe, the only open source multiplatform desktop wallet with a built-in communication layer running over the nostr protocol, enabling signers to privately and anonymously message each other, and synchronize remotely to complete collaborative transactions. It's worth to give it a try and keep an eye on it!
Recently Satsigner mobile wallet app has implemented the same protocol, making this FOSS duo a solid alternative to what public companies are currently offering under subscriptions.

Comms & Messaging Apps

Asynchronous communication is the key for successful trades. For various reasons we will never use email to deal with resolutions, indeed only and exclusively encrypted direct messaging applications and chat group software. We give priority to the current nostr messaging apps that enable group chats. To open up a dispute, make sure you added AGORA pubkey and onchain address listed below in the agreement, then download one of the following apps supporting nostr NIP-17 and create a private messaging group with all 3 parties:
  • KeyChat our preferred, it just works (supports the Signal and MLS protocols).
  • 0xChat a bit buggier, but still work
  • Whitenoise WIP use with caution
Remember that if there's any issue, you can always contact us via traditional nostr DMs, preferably encripted. If you chose to send unencrypted messages, make sure you DO NOT include any personal information. If you don't know if you nostr client encrypt or not the DMs, DO NOT include any personal information. Simply reach out with a simple nostr DM, and we will guide you to the best setup before starting the dispute.

Nostr details

Other Open Source Escrow Tools

To facilitate the sweet trades to the majority of stackers, we researched and tested multiple tools and software. All are open source platforms so you can verify the code if you wish and use them confidently when multiSig is not a comfortable solution to point buyers and sellers to a common ground. Here are the tools we have been playing around and we suggest you using to ensure a successful deal. Most of them support testnet (3 or 4 indicated accordingly) so you ca play with worthless tBTC without risking your precious sats. Enjoy and have fun when learning.

Cowboy Escrow

Built over @supertestnet shoulders. Seller is responsible to request information from Buyer and fill up the form, refer to the list above. A simple user interface that allow to create a 2-of-3 bitcoin onchain multiSig and simply allow signing the transaction with your nostr identity. You'll need: npubs and bitcoin onchain addresses. Try: https://4G0R4.github.io/cowboy-escrow Playᵀ⁴: https://4G0R4.github.io/bitpac/?network=testnet

BitPac

Built over @supertestnet shoulders. Publicly auditable cooperatives that live on bitcoin. One of the parties must create the coop and add the npubs of other participants. Similar to Cowboy Escrow but allow creating a custom M-of-N multiSig, create a Treasury, Statements, ad Proposals signers must find agreement and vote on to release funds. It allows managing complex multiphase deals. Simply said, a Bitcoin DAO management tool! You'll need all signers npubs and bitcoin onchain addresses. Try: https://4G0R4.github.io/bitpac Playᵀ⁴: https://4G0R4.github.io/bitpac/?network=testnet

AGORA CoinVault

Built over @coinbin shoulders. A simple open source web based bitcoin wallet with a fully transparent multiSig solution which works seamlessly offline and with other bitcoin clients. Try: https://4G0R4.github.io/coinbin Playᵀ³: https://4g0r4.github.io/coinbin/#settings

Two Factor Escrow

Built over @mannkind shoulders. An implementation of the Bitcoin Escrow proposal that was originally available from bitescrow.org and bit2factor.org (for BIP38)

BitEscrow

Built over @Tristan shoulders. Speed, Affordability, and Security Combined. We added to our toolkit as it supports mutiny, regtest, signet, and testnet environments that make it really useful to learn and play around with worthless tBTC coins. Announced earlier here on SN. TPlayᵀ⁴: https://BitEscrow.vercel.app/draft/new

Satoshi Scrow

Built over @storopoli shoulders. A Bitcoin non-custodial peer-to-peer dispute resolution using only Nostr keys. Shared earlier here on SN. Play: https://4G0R4.github.io/scrow

Escrow With Lightning

Disclosure: consider these two applications experimental, run it at your own risk. We share it because they leverage the HODL Invoices functionality in the Lightning Network. It's an interesting and underestimated feature we want to highlight and promote. We may cover in the future some use cases and examples using it.

HODL contracts

Built by @supertestnet, is an oracle and escrow system for the lightning network making LN contracts more expressive. A dedicated node must be set up for the tool to work. Watch the video and read the instructions.

Valet

Built by @standard_sats), is a stand alone node runing on a mobile app for android phones, has been announced here on SN.

Dispute Guide

We encourage buyers and sellers to resolve disputes between themselves before introducing AGORA or any other Escrow in the matter. However, we understand this is not always possible, so we offer an impartial systematic approach to solving most common disputes. The most important factors that determine our dispute decisions are:
  • Evidence of goods or services being received e.g. (tracking number, online receipt... etc)
  • Does the item have postal insurance?
  • Previous transactions with AGORA
  • Photographic evidence of any damage to the item(s)
  • Willingness of buyer and seller to cooperate with our requests for information
  • Willingness of seller to accept returned goods
  • Verification of buyer and seller's details
  • We treat all dispute resolutions with client_privacy=high on our priority list. We will not ask our clients to reveal personal information unless the situation absolutely warrants this, or if we suspect fraud.
Where we do not receive enough evidence, do not receive responses from one or both parties, or cannot resolve a dispute, we will donate the escrow funds to Wikileaks, OpenSats or other popular organization which accepts anonymous bitcoin donations. For transparency, we will publish donation details (transaction ids, amount, date) on this page.
By starting an escrow you both, buyer and seller, agree that all dispute decisions will be final. And that dispute decisions will be based on the absolute discretion of the AGORA.

Cancellation

Be aware: in the event of an escrow being cancelled, the full escrow fee is deducted from the final payout. This includes both buyer's and seller's cut of fees.

Security Tips

To protect your funds, we require that you take the following precautions:
  • Make sure to use the correct bitcoin pubkey signed and listed above
  • Make sure to use the correct nostr npub listed above when creating a contract
  • We do not send the escrow's payment address via email, never.
  • We never ask for your email or any other contact details.
  • We never send DM via nostr, you contact first.
  • Stick to the group chat you have been invited to.
  • Contact us privately immediately if you have any suspicions, question or require more information.

Conclusions

Thanks for reading until here. It's a lot of information and there's a lot to learn still. Share below any comment or feedback that can make this guide better, simpler, and more usable to help us, stackers, trade confidently and freely using multiSig. When needed, trade safely by simply adding a neutral, unbiased third party.
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