Peer-to-peer trading platform

1. A server system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

receiving, from a first peer-to-peer node in a plurality of peer-to-peer nodes, a request for item information associated with one or more items being offered in an ecommerce transaction, each peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes including a processor and a storage device coupled to the processor for storing data related to persistent item information;

converting the requested item information into a format useful for the peer-to-peer network;

transmitting the requested item information to the first peer-to-peer node for persistent storage in the storage device of the first peer-to-peer node such that other peer-to-peer nodes in the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes can search for the item information and begin transactions within the peer-to-peer network without contacting the server system;

receiving an authentication request from a second peer-to-peer node as part of a transaction based on a search performed within the peer-to-peer network, the transaction between a first user associated with the second peer-to-peer node and a second user to be authenticated;

authenticating the second user based on authentication information obtained from a trusted site that provides a trust and safety service; and

certifying an item being offered by the second user as part of the transaction as a legitimate item based on item certification information obtained from the trusted site.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the item information is maintained on more than one peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein a network connection between at least two peer-to-peer nodes of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes is shared by more than one data transfer session.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein bandwidth on the network connection is prioritized between a plurality of data transfer sessions.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising instructions for applying a digital signature to the information associated with an item being offered by the first user.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the digital signature includes the item certification information obtained from the trusted site.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising instructions for providing feedback to the first user regarding the item being offered by the first user.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising instructions for encrypting information associated with an item being offered by the first user.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising instructions for establishing a relative reputation score for the second user based on feedback received from the first user.

10. A method comprising:

receiving, from a first peer-to-peer node in a plurality of peer-to-peer nodes, a request for item information associated with one or more items being offered in an e-commerce transaction each peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for storing data related to persistent item information;

converting the requested item information into a format useful for the peer-to-peer network;

transmitting the requested item information to the first peer-to-peer node for persistent storage in the memory of the first peer-to-peer node such that other peer-to-peer nodes in the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes can search for item information and begin transactions within the peer-to-peer network without contacting the server system;

receiving an authentication request from a second peer-to-peer node as part of a transaction based on a search performed within the peer-to-peer network, the transaction between a first user associated with the second peer-to-peer node and a second user to be authenticated;

authenticating the second user based on authentication information obtained from a trusted site that provides a trust and safety service; and

certifying an item being offered by the second user as part of the transaction as a legitimate item based on item certification information obtained from the trusted site.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the item information is maintained on more than one peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein a network connection between at least two peer-to-peer nodes of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes is shared by more than one data transfer session.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein bandwidth on the network connection is prioritized between a plurality of data transfer sessions.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising instructions for applying a digital signature to the information associated with an item being offered by the first user.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the digital signature includes the item certification information obtained from the trusted site.

16. A non-transitory machine readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first peer-to-peer node in a plurality of peer-to-peer nodes, a request for item information associated with one or more items being offered in an e-commerce transaction, each peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for storing data related to persistent item information;

converting the requested item information into a format useful for the peer-to-peer network;

transmitting the requested item information to the first peer-to-peer node for persistent storage in the memory of the first peer-to-peer node such that other peer-to-peer nodes in the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes can search for item information and begin transactions within the peer-to-peer network without contacting the server system; and

receiving an authentication request from a second peer-to-peer node as part of a transaction based on a search performed within the peer-to-peer network, the transaction between a first user associated with the second peer-to-peer node and a second user to be authenticated;

authenticating the second user based on authentication information obtained from a trusted site that provides a trust and safety service; and

certifying an item being offered by the second user as part of the transaction as a legitimate item based on item certification information obtained from the trusted site.

17. The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the item information is maintained on more than one peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes.

18. The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein a network connection between at least two peer-to-peer nodes of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes is shared by more than one data transfer session.

19. The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein bandwidth on the network connection is prioritized between a plurality of data transfer sessions.

20. The non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 16 , further comprising applying a digital signature to the information associated with an item being offered by the first user, the digital signature including the item certification information obtained from the trusted site.