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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.
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.
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.
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?)