The client locks USDC in a contract before you start. You deliver. The funds release. Neither side has to trust the other — the cheque does.
Amount and recipient set. USDC moves into the escrow contract, not your hands yet.
Visible to both sides, spendable by neither. The work happens against a real guarantee.
Work delivered → you claim. Deal falls through → it returns to the client after expiry.
Lock USDC for someone. They claim it when the work is done.