Can you talk about some of the user research that went into pivoting the product?
(From a niche tool for technically minded people to a tool for newbie normies?)
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Thanks for the question.
I would not describe Bisq 2 as being a pivot as the original Bisq 1 trade protocol will continue to exist. I would describe Bisq Easy as being an additional trade protocol that might be suitable to some users.
The roadmap for Bisq 2 is to have multiple protocols that will suit various use cases.
The reasons for the change from Bisq 1 to 2 are:
  • Bisq 1 software was becoming a little bloated. Hard for new devs to work on.
  • Bisq 2 is designed from the ground up to support multiple trade protocols. It will make it possible for new contributors to focus their efforts on a trade protocol rather than worrying about understanding the entire code base.
  • Bisq 2 will be easier to make accessible via mobile than Bisq 1.
The reasons for the addition of Bisq Easy are:
  • Bisq 1 requires new users to have bitcoin to buy bitcoin. This is a barrier to no-coiners. Also getting some no KYC bitcoin to start the process was in itself a barrier and users where often directed to methods and platforms away from Bisq.
  • Bisq has been operating a Get your First Bitcoin room on Matrix (and previously Keybase) for a while now. It has worked well but it was not promoted due to the risk of attracting scammers. Bisq Easy provides more security for buyers than can be achieved on a Keybase or Matrix room.
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142 sats \ 1 reply \ @davidw 17 Mar
Makes sense, thanks for clarifying. Can definitely see the new protocol setup opens so many doors.
I also see how the user experience has changed from a trading setup to more of a chat interface and I wondered how that came about.
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The idea was for Bisq Easy to be a little more social. The experience from the Keybase and Matrix rooms was that of a friendly chat room where users could buy and sell bitcoin.
Bisq Easy seller's will hopefully create a positive experience for new bitcoin buyers. Likely there will be a little hand holding needed for a user that might have questions about bitcoin wallets, differences between on-chain and Lightning etc. The sellers will charge a markup but some of that is because they are expected to create a positive on-boarding experience.
Bisq being peer-to-peer means it will never be the easiest platform to use. But hopefully it can stand out in terms of the overall experience it provides; friendly community, self custody, private, no need for kyc, environment for uses to learn from others.
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