How to Record Evidence During a P2P Trade for a Dispute

07 October 2026

Record evidence throughout a P2P trade by taking timestamped screenshots of every step, saving all communication, and capturing payment confirmations from both the platform and your bank or payment app. If a dispute arises, you submit this evidence to the platform's arbitration team, who decide based on the documentation you provide.

Why Evidence Matters in a Dispute

When you open a dispute on a P2P platform, the platform cannot see your bank account or payment app. They rely entirely on the screenshots, chat logs, and transaction records you and the other party submit. The party with clearer, more complete evidence usually wins. Missing one crucial screenshot can mean losing your crypto or your money.

What to Capture Before the Trade Begins

Record the trader's profile details before you start. Take screenshots of:

• The trader's reputation score, number of trades, and join date
• The specific trade offer you are accepting, including the price, amount, and payment method
• Any notes the trader has written in their offer or profile

This establishes what you agreed to and who you agreed to trade with.

Capturing evidence during payment

For the Buyer (Sending Fiat)

1. Before you send payment: Screenshot your payment app or bank transfer screen showing the recipient's name, account details, amount, and the exact time you initiated the transfer.
2. After you send payment: Screenshot the confirmation screen from your bank or payment app. This must show the transaction ID, date, time, amount, and recipient details.
3. Save the payment receipt: Download or screenshot any receipt, PDF, or email confirmation your payment provider sends. Include headers showing sender and recipient addresses.

For the Seller (Receiving Fiat)

1. Check your account: Open your bank or payment app and screenshot the incoming transaction. Ensure the screenshot shows the sender's name, transaction amount, date, and any reference number.
2. Verify the name matches: If the platform requires the buyer to send from their own verified account, screenshot the buyer's payment showing their name matches their platform profile.
3. Do not rely on notifications: A push notification can be faked or delayed. Always open the app and confirm the funds are settled in your balance before releasing crypto.

Capturing chat and platform activity

• Screenshot all chat messages between you and the other trader, including timestamps. Do not crop out the time and date stamps.
• If the trader sends a link or file: Screenshot the message with the link visible. Do not click the link first.
• If the platform shows a countdown timer or status indicator (e.g., "Buyer has 15 minutes to pay"), screenshot that. It can prove whether someone acted within the allowed window.
• Record the exact moment you release crypto or confirm receipt: Screenshot the confirmation popup and the updated trade status.

How to organise your evidence

Platforms typically let you upload multiple files during a dispute. Name your files clearly:

• 01_trade_offer_details.png
• 02_payment_screenshot.png
• 03_chat_log.png
• 04_bank_confirmation.png

Upload files in chronological order. If the platform limits the number of uploads, combine related screenshots into a single PDF or image file using a free tool. Keep the originals on your device in case the platform asks for them later.

What to do if you are scammed

If you realise you have been scammed after releasing crypto or sending payment:

1. Do not close the trade or chat window. Interact only through the platform's built-in chat.
2. Open a dispute immediately using the platform's dispute button. Do this before contacting the other trader outside the platform.
3. Write a clear, factual statement in the dispute form. State what happened in order, referencing your screenshots by file name. For example: "I sent 0.5 BTC to the address shown in screenshot 02 at 14:32 UTC. The buyer confirmed receipt in chat (screenshot 03) but then claimed they did not receive the crypto."
4. Upload all your evidence files before submitting.

What to do if your bank account gets frozen

If your bank freezes your account after a P2P trade, you may need to provide evidence to your bank as well. Save:

• The trade order details from the platform
• Chat logs showing the buyer instructed you to send to a specific account
• The platform's terms of service, which typically state that users are responsible for complying with their bank's policies

Some platforms will provide a letter or statement confirming the trade was conducted on their platform if you request it through their support system.

Common mistakes that lose disputes

• Cropping screenshots: Never remove timestamps, headers, or other metadata. A cropped screenshot looks tampered with.
• Using screenshots of screenshots: Always capture the original screen. Quality degrades with each copy.
• Waiting too long: Open a dispute as soon as you suspect a problem. Delays make your evidence look less reliable.
• Submitting out-of-order files: If the platform displays your uploads in alphabetical order, name them with numbers so the sequence is clear.
• Forgetting to save chat logs: Some platforms delete chat history after a trade is completed. Save everything before closing the trade.

When evidence alone may not be enough

Even with perfect evidence, some disputes are not resolved in your favour. Platforms enforce their own rules, which may differ from what seems fair. For example:

• If you release crypto before confirming payment has settled (not just appeared), the platform may rule against you even if the buyer later reverses the payment.
• If you trade outside the platform's chat or use a payment method the platform does not officially support, your evidence may be disregarded.

Read your platform's dispute resolution policy before trading. Knowing what they accept as valid evidence saves time and prevents losses.

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