Home GuidesHow long escrow takes

How long does crypto escrow take?

An escrow has a handful of clocks, and every one of them is either chosen by you at creation or fixed by the contract. None of them is set by Vaultion after the fact. Here they all are, with the actual numbers the product uses.

Start an escrow

The happy path

Set-upMinutes. A short form, then an approval and a funding transaction on EVM networks, or a single transaction on Solana.

ConfirmationSeconds on Solana, Arbitrum, Base and BNB Chain. Usually under a minute on Ethereum mainnet, longer when the network is busy.

DeliveryOff-chain, as agreed between you. The contract simply waits.

ReleaseOne transaction from the buyer. The seller has the funds when it confirms.

The buyer review period

Chosen at creation, this is how long the buyer has after delivery to check the work and raise a dispute. On the EVM networks, when it ends without a dispute the funds can be released to the seller, so it also protects the seller from a buyer who goes quiet. The create flow suggests a length for your deal type and enforces a range.

Digital delivery3 to 14 days. Suggested 7.

Physical goods7 to 90 days. Suggested 21.

Mixed7 to 90 days. Suggested 30.

SolanaNo review-period timer on an undisputed escrow. The buyer releases, or either side opens a dispute.

If there is a dispute

EvidenceAs long as both sides need. Clear terms and good evidence make this the short part.

RulingOn the assisted path a Vaultion reviewer reads the case; no fixed turnaround is promised and it is never automated. On the Kleros path, timing follows the Kleros court’s own voting and appeal periods. See what happens in a dispute.

Challenge window12, 24 or 72 hours on EVM networks, chosen at creation. A fixed 48 hours on Solana. The ruling cannot take effect until it closes.

Silence timeoutOn Solana, a disputed escrow with no ruling for 30 days can be settled by timeout. On the Kleros path, if the other side never pays their arbitration fee within the fee window, the paying party can claim by default.

CollectionImmediate once finalized. The winner collects with one transaction from their own wallet.

Every clock is visible on the escrow page

The escrow page shows which window is running and when it ends, and email notifications fire as each one changes. Nothing in the timeline depends on Vaultion remembering to act.

Frequently asked

How long does it take to set up an escrow?

Minutes. The form takes a few steps, then two wallet transactions on EVM networks, an approval and the funding, or one on Solana. The escrow exists as soon as the funding transaction confirms, which is seconds on Solana and the L2s and typically under a minute on Ethereum.

How fast does the seller get paid on release?

Release is one transaction. The funds go to the seller as soon as it confirms. There is no payout schedule and no withdrawal queue.

What is the longest an escrow can stay open?

The buyer review period is capped at 90 days for physical and mixed deals and 14 days for digital ones. A dispute adds the ruling time and a challenge window on top. On Solana, an undisputed escrow has no timer at all and stays open until the buyer releases or someone disputes.

Can the timing be changed after the escrow is created?

No. The review period and the challenge window are locked in at creation, along with the parties and the amount. That is deliberate: the timeline is part of the agreement, and neither side should be able to move it once money is locked.

Keep reading

What happens in a dispute Where the longer clocks live.Escrow on Solana The rail with no timer on undisputed deals.How it works The full flow, start to finish.

Pick the review period that fits the deal

The create flow suggests a period for your deal type and lets you adjust it within the allowed range.

Create an escrow