Why Funds Are Pending: Steam Trade Protection Explained

If you sell a skin on a white.market or skin trading platform and notice that the funds are credited to your balance only after 8 days, this can be confusing, especially if you’re new to skin trading.

This delay is not caused by the marketplace itself. It is directly related to a Steam security feature called Trade Protection, which currently applies to Counter-Strike 2 items.

Below we explain how it works, why the waiting period exists, and why it cannot be bypassed.

What Is Trade Protection in Steam?

Trade Protection is a Steam security feature designed to protect users if their account is compromised due to phishing, malware, or unauthorized access.

When a trade involving items from a Trade Protected game is completed:

• The item is delivered instantly

• The item can be used in-game

• The trade remains reversible for 7 days

Currently, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is the only game that uses Trade Protection.

How Trade Protection Affects Skin Sales on white.market

When you sell a CS2 skin on white.market, the process looks like this:

Step-by-step flow:

1. You sell your skin on white.market

2. The skin is transferred to the buyer immediately

3. Steam marks the item as Trade Protected for 7 days

4. During this period, Steam allows trade reversal

5. Funds remain pending on white.market

6. After 7 days, the trade becomes final

7. Funds are credited to your balance automatically on the 8th day

This delay is enforced by Steam and cannot be bypassed by any marketplace.

Why white.market Cannot Release Funds Instantly

During the Trade Protection window, Steam can reverse the trade if the original owner regains control of their account.

If that happens:

• The skin is returned to the original owner

• The buyer loses the item

• The marketplace would incur a financial loss

To protect buyers, sellers, and the platform itself, white.market releases funds only after the trade becomes irreversible.

This rule applies to all legitimate CS2 marketplaces, without exception.

Which Items Are Affected by the 7-Day Hold?

Trade Protected items include:

• All Counter-Strike 2 skins

• Any CS2 item received via trade

• Items clearly marked as Trade Protected in Steam inventory

Important limitations:

• Protected and non-protected items cannot be mixed in one trade

• Protection always lasts exactly 7 days

• The timer starts when the trade is confirmed

Can the 7-Day Trade Protection Be Removed?

No.

• Users cannot disable Trade Protection

• Marketplaces cannot skip the waiting period

• Steam Support cannot shorten the timer

Once the 7 days expire, the protection is removed automatically.

Why the 7-Day Waiting Period Improves Security

Although the delay may feel inconvenient, Trade Protection significantly improves safety:

• Protects users from permanent item loss

• Prevents laundering of stolen skins

• Reduces large-scale fraud

• Makes CS2 trading safer overall

This system benefits both new and experienced traders.

What Happens When You Reverse Trades on Steam?

If you choose to reverse a trade containing Trade Protected items, here’s what happens:

1. All eligible trades from the last 7 days are reversed.

   • Only trades marked as Trade Protected can be reversed.

   • Trades older than 7 days cannot be undone.

2. Items are returned to their previous owners.

   • Your account will be temporarily restricted from trading or using the Steam Community Market for 30 days.

   • This restriction helps prevent further security issues.

3. Your pending market activity is canceled.

   • Any items you listed on the Steam Market will be returned to your inventory.

   • Any pending trade offers you sent will be canceled automatically.

Buyers should remember: reversing a trade does not refund money, it only returns items to their original owners.

Summary: Why Your white.market Balance Is Pending

If your funds are pending after selling a CS2 skin on white.market, this is normal.

Key points:

• Steam applies a mandatory 7-day Trade Protection period

• Trades can be reversed during this window

• white.market must wait until the trade becomes final

• Funds are credited automatically after 7 days