"A study shows that nearly 6 out of 10 freelancers have had an experience with runaway clients that dont pay for their work."
I truly agree with your problem statement #1
I myself have faced such scenarios
It's time we use the blockchain in order to restore faith
in Freelancing.
When I sold services at forums I had my fair charge of fraudulent chargebacks on payments that were initially received through Paypal, and once such order gets escalated there's nothing one can do, all work for nothing. Luckily it were relatively small amounts but even then, I'm doing the work, paying my writers.
That's so awesome about the blockchain, payments are permanent.