Start a conversation with your trade partner and select "Invite to Trade" from the dropdown menu at the top right of the chat window.
Crucially, Steam Wallet funds are not real currency; they are a . Once money enters the Steam ecosystem—whether via a credit card or a gift card—it cannot leave. You can buy games, trade for items, or craft badges, but you cannot cash out. This design is the lynchpin of the entire economy. It ensures that all value circulates within Steam, fuelling further purchases. A trader who earns $500 in Wallet funds from selling rare items has not “made” $500; they have been granted $500 of captive spending power. Consequently, Steam acts as a black hole for value, converting real-world currency into engagement. This is why Valve can afford to let trading flourish: every trade fee, every market sale, and every item unboxing ultimately funnels money back to them when users buy new games. trade on steam
: If you aren't friends, you can use their unique Steam Trade Link, which acts as a "digital gatekeeper" to your inventory. Start a conversation with your trade partner and
: Go to your Inventory , click Trade Offers , and then New Trade Offer . Select a friend from your list to begin. You can buy games, trade for items, or