P2P trading terms explained
Every P2P marketplace uses the same handful of terms. Once you know them, every offer is easy to read. Here’s a plain-language glossary of the ones that matter.
Core terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Maker | A user who posts an offer for others to accept. |
| Taker | A user who accepts an existing offer. On most exchanges, takers pay no P2P fee. |
| Merchant | A verified maker who runs standing offers and trades at volume. |
| Escrow | The exchange’s hold on the crypto during a trade, released when payment is confirmed. |
| Completion rate | The share of a trader’s orders that finish successfully. |
| Dispute | A request for the exchange to review a trade and release escrow to the right party. |
Terms on an offer
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Price | The rate the maker is offering, in your local currency per coin. |
| Limits | The minimum and maximum trade size the offer accepts. |
| Payment methods | How the maker will pay or be paid — bank transfer, apps, etc. |
| Payment window | The time you have to pay after opening the trade. |
| Available | How much crypto the offer currently has to trade. |
Now that the terms make sense, read what P2P trading is and how to buy USDT, or compare live rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a maker and a taker in P2P?
A maker posts an offer for others to accept; a taker accepts an existing offer. On most major exchanges, takers pay no fee on P2P, while makers may pay a small one.
What is a P2P merchant?
A merchant is a verified maker who runs standing buy and sell offers and trades at volume, effectively operating a small currency desk and earning on the spread.
What does completion rate mean?
It is the share of a trader’s orders that finish successfully. A high completion rate over many orders is a strong signal that a counterparty is reliable.
This article is general information, not financial advice. P2Pinfo.net is an independent P2P rate comparison tool and does not hold funds.