Crypto Proof of Funds for OTC Trades: A Simple Way to Build Trust
Over-the-counter deals happen between people who often have never met. The seller wants to know the buyer actually has the money before spending an hour on terms. The buyer does not want to publish a wallet address to a stranger. A proof of funds receipt solves both.
The trust problem in OTC trades
In a public order book, the exchange takes care of trust. In a direct deal, you do. That is why so many OTC conversations start with a request for proof, and why so many of those requests end with a blurry screenshot.
Time-wasters and impersonators thrive when nobody can check anything.
What a seller actually needs to know
Most sellers need three things: that the buyer controls a wallet, that the wallet held at least a certain amount at a recent time, and which asset it was in. They do not need the address, the history or the other holdings.
A receipt that states the verified balance, the coin and the date answers exactly those questions.
A simple flow for both sides
The buyer makes a proof at pof.lol and sends the receipt link. The seller opens it, sees the verified balance, the coin and the date, and decides whether to continue.
For bigger deals, ask for a new proof right before settlement so the date on the receipt is fresh.
What a proof does not replace
A pof.lol receipt is a snapshot of the balance at the moment you made the proof. It is not a live balance and it does not promise the funds are still there later.
It also does not replace escrow, a middleman or common sense on large trades. Think of it as a filter that removes people who cannot show funds at all, not as a guarantee of the deal.
Tips for sellers
Ask for the proof in the coin you are trading, not a different one.
Check the date shown on the receipt.
Keep the receipt link in the deal chat so both sides can refer to it.
FAQ
Does the seller need an account?
No. They just open the receipt link.
Is a receipt enough for a large trade?
It shows a verified snapshot. For large trades, use it as a first filter and ask for a fresh proof before settlement.
What does it cost?
The proof is made by sending 10¢ from the wallet.