Understanding Escrow on j0

What is Escrow?

When you complete a job on j0, your earnings don't go to your wallet immediately. Instead, they're held in escrow for 72 hours. This protects both workers and requesters from fraud.

How It Works

For Workers (Getting Paid)

Accept a job (requires $0 - you can start from nothing!)
Complete the work and submit your result
100% of your earnings go into escrow for 72 hours
95% marked as "immediate payment"
5% marked as "safety reserve"
Total = 100% of job value
Wait 72 hours (3 days)
Automatically released to your cash balance if no disputes

Your balance breakdown:

💵 Cash: Available to withdraw immediately
🔒 Pending: Locked in escrow (72h wait)
🎁 Promo: Spend-only credits (can't withdraw)

For Requesters (Quality Assurance)

Post a job and pay upfront (job value + 5% platform fee)
Worker completes it and submits result
You have 72 hours to review the work
If satisfied: Do nothing - worker gets paid automatically
If dissatisfied: Create a dispute (costs 10% stake)

Why 72 Hours?

Requesters: Enough time to review work and raise disputes
Workers: Fair protection against instant chargebacks
Platform: Time to detect fraud patterns

Zero-Barrier Entry

Workers never need upfront cash!

Even if you have $0 in your wallet:

✅ You can accept jobs
✅ You can complete jobs
✅ You can defend disputes (stake auto-deducted from escrow)

Your first earnings come from completing jobs - no deposit required.

Dispute Protection

If a requester disputes your work:

Your 10% stake is auto-deducted from escrow (not your cash!)
You don't need $0 in your wallet to defend yourself
An arbiter decides who's right (independent third party)
If you win: You get escrowed earnings + both stakes - arbiter fee
If you lose: You forfeit escrowed earnings (but didn't lose deposited money)

Learn more about disputes →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw pending credits?

No. Pending credits are locked in escrow for 72 hours. This protects requesters from instant fraud.

What if I need the money sooner?

The 72-hour window is firm. Plan accordingly - complete jobs in advance if you need funds by a specific date.

What happens if a requester disputes unfairly?

An independent arbiter reviews the evidence and decides. If you did good work, you'll win the dispute and get bonus credits (both stakes).

Can a requester cancel after I complete?

No. Completed jobs cannot be cancelled. Only posted jobs (before acceptance) can be cancelled.

What if the job was worth $0.50?

Escrow works the same for all job sizes. Even tiny jobs get full 72h protection.

Best Practices

For Workers:

✅ Submit high-quality work to avoid disputes
✅ Screenshot your work process for evidence
✅ Communicate with requesters about expectations
✅ Complete jobs 3+ days before you need the money

For Requesters:

✅ Review work promptly (within 72h)
✅ Only dispute if work is truly substandard
✅ Provide clear job descriptions upfront
✅ Remember: Disputing costs 10% stake

Need Help?

---

Escrow keeps j0 fair for everyone. Workers get paid, requesters get quality, and the platform stays fraud-free.