AboutOdex

A trustless P2P trading platform built on dual-stake escrow mechanics

How Odex Works

Seller Creates Listing

The seller initiates the trade by creating a listing for their item with the agreed price.

Buyer Stakes Double

The buyer deposits 2x the item price, demonstrating commitment to completing the transaction honestly.

Seller Stakes 1.5x

The seller deposits 1.5x the item price, ensuring both parties have skin in the game.

Seller Ships & Confirms

The seller ships the item and marks it as released. A 5-minute confirmation window begins.

Buyer Confirms Delivery

Once the item is received, the buyer confirms delivery. Both parties receive their stakes back, and the seller receives payment.

Core Principles

Sequential Process

Each step must be completed in order. The process cannot be rushed or skipped—this ensures security and accountability at every stage.

No Simultaneous Actions

Steps cannot happen in parallel. Each action depends on the previous state being confirmed on-chain, preventing fraud and ensuring proper flow.

Permanent Lock Protection

Once both parties have staked and the seller confirms shipment, there's no refund option. This ensures commitment and prevents sellers from backing out after receiving stakes.

Bad Actor Deterrent

If either party attempts malicious behavior, funds remain locked until the dispute is resolved. Neither party receives their stake back—incentivizing honest resolution.

Critical: Point of No Return

Understanding the permanent lock mechanism is essential for all users. Once activated, certain actions become irreversible by design.

After Seller Confirmation

Once both parties have staked their amounts and the seller confirms shipment, refunds are permanently disabled. This creates absolute commitment from the seller to deliver the item.

Dispute Lock Mechanism

If anyone attempts to act maliciously (false claims, refusal to confirm delivery, etc.), the system automatically locks all staked funds. Neither party can access their stakes until they work together to resolve the dispute honestly.

Why This Works

The threat of permanently locked funds creates a powerful incentive for both parties to act honestly. Scamming becomes economically irrational—you'd lose your entire stake for no gain.

Why Sequential Steps Matter

The strict ordering of steps isn't a limitation—it's a feature. By requiring each action to happen in sequence, Odex ensures:

Accountability

Every party must complete their commitments before the next step begins

Transparency

The blockchain tracks the exact state of every trade at all times

Security

Attempting steps out of order automatically fails, preventing exploits

Fair Treatment

Both parties are protected by the same rules and same stake incentives