Before an OTC crypto trade, check the other side on Ethos: their credibility score, who has staked money vouching for them, and whether anyone has slashed them, all at app.ethos.network/profile/x/<handle> or by wallet address. Blockchain analytics tools tell you where a wallet's money came from. Ethos tells you what the people who dealt with this person think, and who was willing to put money behind that opinion.
A five-minute check
Look up the handle and the wallet. Ethos profiles attest an X account and one or more wallets, so you can check that the wallet they give you is actually linked to the person you are talking to.
Read the negative and neutral reviews first. Then look at who wrote them. A negative review from a high-score member weighs more than three from empty profiles.
Look at the vouches. Vouches are $WHUF staked on the person, and vouchers lose credibility score if that person is successfully slashed. Several vouches from established members are the strongest signal a stranger can have.
Check for slashes. A successful slash lowers the person's credibility score. Either means a community vote found against them.
Check human verification. Verified means three verified members confirmed a real person on a call or in person. It rules out a throwaway identity.
Find a counterparty on Ethos Broker
Ethos Broker is Ethos's marketplace for OTC trades, hiring and bounties. Post what you want to buy or sell, or reply to someone else's post. Every post comes from an Ethos profile, so the check above is one click away from the deal itself.
Buy and Sell posts are for trades. Hire, For hire and Bounty posts cover work.
Posts are stored onchain and stay up for 30 days. Posting costs a small $WHUF fee, and a premium listing adds a thumbnail and more visibility.
Broker does not hold funds. There is no escrow: Broker relies on reputation instead of collateral or a middleman, so the next step still applies to large trades.
See the Broker FAQ.
Then protect the trade
Reputation lowers the odds. It does not remove them. Use an escrow or a reputable OTC desk for anything large, send a small test amount first, and never move funds on the strength of a Telegram conversation alone.
After the trade
Leave a review. Positive or negative, it is what the next person will rely on, and it is tied to your own profile, so it carries your credibility with it.
Common questions
What if they have no Ethos profile? Their X account still has a page. A neutral score with no history means unknown, not safe.
Can I see who vouched for them? Yes. Each vouch shows the voucher's profile and the amount staked.
Where can I find someone to trade with OTC? On Ethos Broker, where every Buy and Sell post comes from an Ethos profile you can check before you reply.