https://www.shareholder.io is a startup set up around automated escrow services that uses multisignature wallets for secure and easy escrow transactions without all of the wait. Shareholder.io uses "Operators" as middlemen if any issues arise with the contract you have created, and allows for the resolution of disputes of milestone transactions in said contract if needed, but if they are not, it is automated! Here's how it works...
Upon signing up each user is generated a public and private key pair, these are important because they will be used for all transactions the user wants to approve or is part of, treat these as you would any encryption key and save them accordingly. The private key is displayed only ONCE, the server can never re-generate it, nor can it be recovered if you lose it. A new one will be generated if you refresh the page displaying it.
Once your account is created, you will be able to create a contract, or become a member of one. Each contract is made up of an owner, an operator and other members. The owner can set the number of signatures required and the operator is NEVER required to be a signer for any contract transaction. With this in mind, the maximum number of signatures required is the total number of members involved plus one (the owner). Once the contract is fully agreed upon, the public keys of the owners, members and the operator that was selected to create a M-of-N escrow wallet. (Where M is the number of signatures required and N is the total number of members plus two [Contract Owner + Operator]). With this in mind, if there are 2 Members, and 1 Owner, a 2 of 4 wallet IS not the best choice, and both members could transfer all funds without the owners signature. In events like this, a 3 of 4 wallet should be used, and depending on the size of the contracts party, this number may vary so that all parties must agree. Please note, if two people of the contract lose their private key, the Operator will not be able to recover any funds, simply due to the number of signatures required will not be met. This is what keeps us secure. ONCE AGAIN,DO NOT LOSE YOU PRIVATE KEYS IF USING THIS SERVICE
Before a contract can even be settled upon, the contract needs to have tasks, or "Milestones" that are needed to be completed through the escrow transaction, you must have one milestone per contract, but there is no limit so add as many needed to complete whatever size project you need to have. Each milestone is given a specific address from the escrow wallet, and once a milestone is completed; the responsible party for the milestone can request a transaction of funds. Once M parties of the contract sign the transaction, it can be broadcast to the bitcoin network for completion. If there is a disagreement the operator can step in and act to disperse funds in the way that they see best fit for the scenario.
All keys are in Extended format, and can be imported into Electrum to provide a second factor of authentication. (Other Wallet software may be supported, but we have not tested)
If you would like a demo, please contact one of our admins! admin@shareholder.io JS@shareholder.io
TL;DR : Automated BTC escrow services, middle-men available if issues arise
edit: forgot to say this was a xpost from darknetmarketnoobs from a comment telling me to post here.