An escrow does not necessarily have to be a real person checking in on both parties to ensure that a deal goes smoothly. It can be a smart contract or any other means of ensuring that both parties which are involved in the trade get what they bargained for out of it.

Attempting to create a marketplace without escrow means that both traders are trusting the other person not to scam them with no cushion to protect themselves should they get swindled.

- Jay -