Valve has introduced a new Trade Protected Items feature in Counter-Strike 2, allowing players to reverse trades made within the last seven days to prevent scams and account theft.

During the 7-day protection period, Trade Protected items cannot be consumed, modified, or transferred, ensuring their security after a trade.

The new system is expected to boost Steam Community Market activity as players prefer it over third-party sites, despite associated fees.

Once a trade is reversed, users are locked out of further trades for 30 days and cannot apply stickers to protected items during this period.

Trades made before the implementation of Trade Protection are not eligible for reversal, and the system only applies to CS2 items for now.

The update is part of Season 3 of Counter-Strike 2, humorously titled 'Season Two: Episode One,' a playful nod to Valve's long-standing joke about Half-Life 3.

Trade Protection aims to enhance security for valuable items, but it also complicates high-value trades and trust-based deals, as trades can be reversed if the original owner’s value increases.

Trades involving Trade Protected items cannot be mixed with unprotected items, and trades completed before the feature's launch are not reversible.

Players can reverse trades involving Trade Protected items directly from their Trade History, but doing so results in a 30-day trading and market restriction.

This feature is currently exclusive to CS2 due to the high volume of trade scams, with plans to expand to other Steam games in the future.

Valve may adjust the feature in response to potential abuse, as the company is known for unpredictable policy changes regarding trade mechanics.

While reputable traders may still operate, cash trading is expected to decline significantly due to the new restrictions.