Introduction
ShadowPay is a modern peer-to-peer trading marketplace designed for CS2 and Steam-based virtual items, focused on real-money deals, direct inventory transfers, and fast wallet-based transactions. Launched on Jan. 15, 2021, the platform operates from Singapore under an international infrastructure aimed at global accessibility.
The marketplace is run by an anonymous ownership group headquartered in Geylang, Singapore, and while it has not yet reached the scale of BUFF163 or SkinPort, it has grown rapidly - especially among users seeking a lightweight platform with crypto-friendly payments and direct P2P delivery.
ShadowPay builds itself around simplicity: instant listing from inventory, automated trades via browser extension, and no bot escrow delays. Items never leave seller inventory until a buyer is found - ideal for traders who want to cross-list, arbitrage multiple markets simultaneously, or manage liquidity across several platforms.
Popularity & Operational Scale
ShadowPay holds an average rating of 4.1 / 5 based on 856 user reviews. The marketplace sees around 456k monthly visits, positioning it in the mid-tier range of CS2 third-party markets - not the largest, but consistently active.
More than 22477 unique items are available with approximately 1146714 live listings. Total on-market inventory value is estimated around $30M.
- Healthy liquidity in knives, gloves, and meta rifles (AK, M4, AWP)
- Listings priced below Steam Market in nearly all categories
- Appeals to frequent traders due to direct inventory ownership
- Ideal conditions for cross-market flipping and spread arbitrage
As the platform grows, rare and high-tier inventory appears more frequently, though premium float/sticker skins cycle slower than on BUFF or Float.
Market Model - Full P2P Delivery
ShadowPay uses a P2P model only - meaning items stay in the seller’s Steam inventory until purchased. This grants several advantages:
| P2P Benefits | P2P Limitations |
|---|---|
| Sell while items remain in your inventory | No instant delivery unless seller is online |
| Cross-list skins on multiple markets | Manual confirmation required for each trade |
| No custody risk - item never leaves your account | Buyers may face delay if seller is inactive |
| Better for arbitrage and spread-selling | Less convenient for “insta-delivery” shoppers |
ShadowPay is therefore best suited for users who value ownership safety, multi-platform listing freedom, and profitable market rotation - rather than purely instant fulfillment.
History & Development
Founded in early 2021, ShadowPay entered the market during a period of explosive CS2 trading growth. During its first two years, adoption was driven by:
- Promotion through YouTube/Twitch trading communities
- Competitive fees and crypto support
- P2P flexibility uncommon among Western markets
- Automated trading extension eliminating manual invites
Growth has not been linear - user counts fluctuate, but the platform remains stable thanks to continuous marketing, seasonal sale campaigns and partner affiliations.
Fees & Cost Structure
The standard sale fee on ShadowPay is:
5.0% fee per sale
Withdrawals incur an additional 5% processing fee, resulting in a total cash-out overhead closer to 10%. Still significantly lower than Steam Market’s 15% baseline, but higher than BUFF163 or CSFloat.
| Marketplace | Sale Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Market | 15% | Most expensive |
| ShadowPay | 5.0% | + 5% payout fee |
| BUFF163 | 2.5% | Lower fee, P2P China-based |
| CSFloat | ~2% | Lowest fee among major markets |
How to Buy & Sell Skins
Buying
- Install the ShadowPay browser extension (recommended)
- Login via Steam
- Deposit funds using card / Trustly / crypto
- Select item → click Buy Now
- Wait for seller to send the Steam trade
Items usually arrive quickly, but if seller is unavailable, transfer may take longer - typical for P2P platforms.
Selling
- Login and connect extension for automatic trades
- Open Sell tab and select skins from your inventory
- Set pricing and publish listings
- Wait for buyer → confirm trade within 5 minutes
- Funds settle to wallet → withdraw via crypto/cards
Who ShadowPay is Best For
- Users who want control of skins until they're sold
- Flippers listing across multiple platforms at once
- Crypto-oriented buyers and sellers
- Traders focused on deals rather than instant delivery
Advantages
- Lower fees than Steam, fair structure for sellers
- No bot escrow - full inventory control
- Multiple payment & crypto withdrawal options
- Clean UI + easy navigation for beginners
- Prices noticeably cheaper than Steam Market
Disadvantages
- Higher fees than CSFloat/BUFF163 for selling
- Lower liquidity → slower sales for expensive skins
- No built-in screenshot / inspector, requires in-game check
- Supports CS2/DOTA2 only - no Rust or TF2
- No instant sell liquidation
FAQ
ShadowPay has been operating since Jan. 15, 2021 and is operated by the registered company Amazing Place PTE. Limited. The company is based in Geylang, Singapore. Key person in charge is Anonymous. Overall, it is considered a reputable third-party marketplace for CS2 skins with a solid track record.
The platform currently holds an average rating of 4.1 out of 5. This rating is based on 856 user reviews. The site attracts around 456k visits per month, which shows a high level of activity and trust from the community.
ShadowPay charges a seller fee of 5.0% on successful sales. There are no additional buyer fees for typical marketplace purchases.
Deposits are generally processed with low or no additional fees, depending on the payment method. Withdrawals are typically charged at 5.0%.
The marketplace supports the following payment methods: Bitcoin, Credit Card, Ethereum, Litecoin, Mastercard, Neteller, PayPal, QIWI, Skrill, Trustly, UnionPay, Visa, WebMoney These options usually include a mix of bank cards, e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.
You can withdraw funds using the following payout options: Bitcoin, Ethereum, PayPal, QIWI, Tipalti, Visa, WebMoney.
Always make sure your payment details are correct and verify any additional requirements before requesting a withdrawal.
The marketplace focuses primarily on Counter-Strike 2 skins and items. Most tools, discounts and features are optimized specifically for CS2 trading.
The platform has users from many regions. According to traffic data, the most active countries include:
- Turkey with about 57.28% of total traffic.
- Switzerland with about 9.19% of total traffic.
- Poland with about 7.65% of total traffic.
- Romania with about 4.50% of total traffic.
- Ukraine with about 2.63% of total traffic.
In most cases you can use the marketplace as long as Steam and the payment methods you choose are supported in your country.
Transactions are usually processed very quickly. Peer-to-peer listings may take longer because they depend on the seller being online and accepting the offer.
Additional security checks such as Steam Guard confirmations or email approvals can add extra time, but these measures help keep accounts and items safe.
The platform maintains an active presence on social networks and community channels where users can ask questions and look for help. Some of the official social platforms include:
- X: https://x.com/ShadowPaycom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShadowPaycom
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowpaycom
- Discord: https://discord.gg/CYH2wGFpHN
- VK: https://vk.com/shadowpaycom
Response times can vary, but active social channels and community groups make it easier to get informal help and updates about the service.
There may not be a dedicated mobile app, but the website is usually accessible from mobile browsers.
The marketplace also offers browser extensions that can improve trading convenience or security.
- Chrome Web Store: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/shadowpay-trademanager/obhadkdgdffnnbdfpigjklinjhbkinfh
Always install apps and extensions only from official links and trusted stores to avoid phishing or scams.
In most cases, you just need to sign in with your Steam account and confirm your email address to start trading. For higher-value trades or withdrawals, additional checks may be requested for security reasons and to comply with regulations.
CZ75-Auto
Desert Eagle
Dual Berettas
Five-SeveN
Glock-18
P2000
P250
R8 Revolver
Tec-9
USP-S
Zeus x27
Bayonet
Bowie Knife
Butterfly Knife
Classic Knife
Falchion Knife
Flip Knife
Gut Knife
Huntsman Knife
Karambit
M9 Bayonet
Navaja Knife
Nomad Knife
Paracord Knife
Shadow Daggers
Skeleton Knife
Stiletto Knife
Survival Knife
Talon Knife
Ursus Knife
Kukri Knife
AK-47
AUG
FAMAS
Galil AR
M4A1-S
M4A4
SG 553
AWP
G3SG1
SCAR-20
SSG 08
MAC-10
MP5-SD
MP7
MP9
P90
PP-Bizon
UMP-45
MAG-7
Nova
Sawed-Off
XM1014
M249
Negev
Bloodhound Gloves
Broken Fang Gloves
Driver Gloves
Hand Wraps
Hydra Gloves
Moto Gloves
Specialist Gloves
Sport Gloves