DMARKET UPDATE: How Trading Works Now with Steam Trade Protection
Steam’s recent Trade Protection update changed the way all in-game items are traded. Any item you receive in Steam is now locked for 7 days, during which it can be rolled back (returned to the original owner).
We’ve adapted our marketplace to these changes so you can keep trading while staying protected. Here’s how each operation will now work on DMarket:
Instant Sell
You can still instantly sell your items right after depositing them—just like before.
WHAT’S NEW: The money you receive will be locked on your DMarket balance until the item’s Trade Protection period ends. Once unlocked, you can spend it on the marketplace, or withdraw it.
Selling Items on the Marketplace
You can list your items for sale immediately after deposit. Items under Trade Protection will be marked with a countdown showing the remaining protection time (similar to the old trade lock display).
If your item sells before the protection period ends, the funds will be locked in your balance until the protection expires.
Buying Items
You can buy items with Trade Protection.
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These items cannot be withdrawn to Steam until the protection period ends.
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In rare cases, the previous owner might roll back the trade. If that happens, you’ll receive a 100% refund to your balance.
Targets (Bids)
Most target purchases are for newly deposited items—which now usually have Trade Protection.
If the previous owner rolls back such an item, your payment will be fully refunded to your DMarket balance.
Exchanges (Trades)
For the initiator of an exchange, the process will feel almost the same as before. After a successful exchange, you can withdraw the new item to your Steam account right away (as long as it has no trade lock or Trade Protection).
We’ve added two important safeguards:
- The item you receive in an exchange cannot be sold, listed, or re-traded for a short period. This period matches the longest Trade Protection time from the items you gave away in the exchange.
- You cannot give away an item under Trade Protection in an exchange unless you are the one who deposited it on DMarket (and therefore have the right to roll it back).
Temporary Additional Restriction
If an item from the marketplace is bought as part of an exchange (meaning the initiator of the exchange takes it), the payment will be a locked balance, even if the item had no trade lock or Trade Protection.
We know this adds inconvenience for sellers, so we plan to remove it in the near future. For now, it’s necessary to ensure safe and reliable marketplace operations during the Trade Protection adjustment period.
Trade Protection changes from Steam have made item transactions more complex, but our updated system keeps your trades flexible and secure. You can still buy, sell, and exchange—with transparent protection timers, locked balance handling, and clear refund guarantees if a rollback happens.
FAQ
What is a Trade Protection timer?
It’s the period when the item can be rolled back by the previous owner.
Can I use Instant Sell?
Yes. You can sell instantly as before. However, the funds will only become withdrawable once the item’s Trade Protection timer ends.
Can I exchange items?
Yes—exchange works instantly, just like before. You can get new items and withdraw them to Steam (if they have no locks or timers). New rules for exchange:
- Items you receive can’t be sold, listed, or re-traded for a short period. This cooldown matches the longest Trade Protection timer of the items you gave away.
- You can’t exchange items with Trade Protection unless you were the one who deposited them.
What if an item I bought is rolled back?
You’ll receive a 100% refund to your DMarket balance of the amount you paid.
Can I get banned for rolling items back?
There are no automatic bans for item rollbacks.
Our goal is to support users and help solve their problems — not create more.
This feature was introduced to fight scams, and we trust that users who roll back items are doing so due to valid personal circumstances, not to abuse the system.
However, we will carefully review these cases, and if we detect signs of abuse, we reserve the right to temporarily suspend the account involved.
How does this impact API trading?
Most API purchases involve newly deposited items, which often have Trade Protection. If such an item is rolled back, your payment is refunded in full.
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