local bitcoin alternative

[r00tuser]

Hello everyone,

Following the closure of localbitcoin.com I looked for solutions nothing good, so I decided to code a small site to help the community for people looking to buy bitcoins physically with real sellers etc ... it's a classifieds site, it can be a person, a store it can be anything here I hope it helps the community, good day to all.

To buy bitcoins physically and locally, there is www.localbtc.org

I appreciate all the comments to improve my site be indulgent, I do this voluntarily for the community.

Best all,

[_act_]

You are new on this forum.

The website you are talking about is new. It was created in January 24 2024.

You have no advertisement.

This is like how scammers are doing to scam people

Your site should be avoided. It is a scam.

[logfiles]

Your site needs more documentation on how it works. Is it custodial or noncustodial? How does the escrow work? What are the fees? Minimum transaction amount. Dos and don'ts.
Your FAQs are lacking. More like a summary
Where is the help desk or the support contacts?

Where are your terms, privacy policy? KYC or no KYC?

[BitMaxz]

I tried a few searches and it shows only one person who buys Bitcoin at a very cheap price and I don't think there is someone who will trust this because he needs to contact the seller directly the payment method is also not specified which payment he prefers but a few seller with the same info but it prefers wise payment which is not a local payment in my country.

Since this is new and you want your website to be trusted then hire a campaign manager it's just my suggestion because no one would trust to use this website.

[r00tuser]

Your site needs more documentation on how it works. Is it custodial or noncustodial? How does the escrow work? What are the fees? Minimum transaction amount. Dos and don'ts.
Your FAQs are lacking. More like a summary
Where is the help desk or the support contacts?

Where are your terms, privacy policy? KYC or no KYC?

Hello,

Is it custodial or noncustodial?
Response: It's a noncustodial platform, fully decentralized.

How does the escrow work?
Response: We don't have an escrow service. I prefer not to handle transaction responsibilities due to the workload. The platform operates on a voluntary basis.

What are the fees?
Response: The platform is 100% free as a service to the community.

Minimum transaction amount.
Response: It depends on the local seller you find.

Feedback:
Your FAQs are lacking, more like a summary.

Response:
Certainly, I acknowledge the need to enhance our FAQs, and I appreciate your feedback in this regard.

Feedback:
Where is the help desk or the support contacts?

Response:
As an individual managing this platform, I currently handle support personally. I will be adding an email for support, and in the future, I might consider implementing a ticketing system. Please bear with me as the platform is hand-coded, and it takes time to implement these features.

Thank you very much for your valuable feedback. I appreciate it.

[r00tuser]

I tried a few searches and it shows only one person who buys Bitcoin at a very cheap price and I don't think there is someone who will trust this because he needs to contact the seller directly the payment method is also not specified which payment he prefers but a few seller with the same info but it prefers wise payment which is not a local payment in my country.

Since this is new and you want your website to be trusted then hire a campaign manager it's just my suggestion because no one would trust to use this website.

Hey BitMaxz,

Thanks so much for checking out the site and sharing your thoughts with me! I couldn't agree more.


Regarding the question suggestion, yes, you need to contact the seller directly to get the right price and more information for the transaction. Keep in mind that prices and payment methods depend on the seller and the current market conditions.

Yes, it's a bit different here because the idea is to connect directly with sellers. The idea is to avoid centralized platforms and potential transaction problems with banks like Wise or others. I'm all for simplicity and avoiding banks or other financial services blocking my money.

Just so you know, I'm running this project on a voluntary basis - I have no commercial objectives, I'm just trying to support the community. I've heard your suggestion for a campaign manager, and I'm thinking about it.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know. I appreciate your honest feedback!

Thank you very much,

[r00tuser]

You are new on this forum.

The website you are talking about is new. It was created in January 24 2024.

You have no advertisement.

This is like how scammers are doing to scam people

Your site should be avoided. It is a scam.

Thanks for your great support. I appreciate your constructive feedback.👍

[yhiaali3]

The first observation that I noticed is that the price of Bitcoin is completely different from the market price. As shown in the picture, the price of Bitcoin on the site is $54,540, while the market price is currently $61,214.



The other thing is that you say that "the platform is 100% free as a service to the community". This is illogical and could make the site suspicious because no one would believe that a site provides a completely free service without any fees while it needs to pay fees for hosting, support, and other site services.

[r00tuser]

The first observation that I noticed is that the price of Bitcoin is completely different from the market price. As shown in the picture, the price of Bitcoin on the site is $54,540, while the market price is currently $61,214.

https://www.talkimg.com/images/2024/03/01/fCBIf.jpeg

The other thing is that you say that "the platform is 100% free as a service to the community". This is illogical and could make the site suspicious because no one would believe that a site provides a completely free service without any fees while it needs to pay fees for hosting, support, and other site services.

Hello,

The price is live updated every 60 seconds with an API directly from CoinDesk. (I need to verify if there's a bug.) And yes, it's free because it costs me nothing (only the domain name, $9/year). I have self-coded it, and for the hosting, it's on my personal VPS that I use for other personal projects.

Thanks a lot for your feedback!

Best❤️

[logfiles]

Is it custodial or noncustodial?
Response: It's a noncustodial platform, fully decentralized.

Since it's noncustodial, does that mean no KYC. You did talk about that bit. Remember, this is a fiat to crypto service. So you are bound to clash with Regulators and Law Enforcement at one point in time. What is your plan to avoid such a scenario.

This is why the term of service are so important. So that the user knows what they are getting into.

How does the escrow work?
Response: We don't have an escrow service. I prefer not to handle transaction responsibilities due to the workload. The platform operates on a voluntary basis.

So how will disputes get handled if there is no escrow plan? Not all people who trade p2p are genuine, some of them are scammers.

What are the fees?
Response: The platform is 100% free as a service to the community.

Where will you get money to foot the cost of running the service?

[SFR10]

@r00tuser

3. Verify the seller's reputation on LocalBTC.org.

What kind of preventive measures are in place to deal with those who have the resources to artificially inflate their reputation on your platform?
You might want to add 2FA as well and I also noticed the login process was somewhat buggy ^{[I had to click it around 5 times before I could get into the dashboard]}.

• BTW, multi-posting is against forum rules ^{[you can respond to multiple users by clicking the "insert quote" button at the top right corner of each post (when you're in the "post reply" field)]}.
  

[r00tuser]

Is it custodial or noncustodial?
Response: It's a noncustodial platform, fully decentralized.

Since it's noncustodial, does that mean no KYC. You did talk about that bit. Remember, this is a fiat to crypto service. So you are bound to clash with Regulators and Law Enforcement at one point in time. What is your plan to avoid such a scenario.

This is why the term of service are so important. So that the user knows what they are getting into.

How does the escrow work?
Response: We don't have an escrow service. I prefer not to handle transaction responsibilities due to the workload. The platform operates on a voluntary basis.

So how will disputes get handled if there is no escrow plan? Not all people who trade p2p are genuine, some of them are scammers.

What are the fees?
Response: The platform is 100% free as a service to the community.

Where will you get money to foot the cost of running the service?

Hello logfiles,

Thank you for your questions. Allow me to provide a more concise explanation of the principles that guide my platform:

Regarding the depositary or non-depository nature, the platform aligns with the Bitcoin philosophy, operating as a fully non-depository and decentralized service. Although being a platform for connecting buyers and sellers. my commitment is to adhere to Bitcoin's founding principles, avoiding unnecessary regulation, centralization and preserving user privacy.

The absence of KYC is intentional, reflecting the desire for a more private and decentralized financial system. The platform is designed to uphold the values of financial freedom and user autonomy that bitcoin represents.

In terms of escrow, the platform operates without an escrow service due to workload, and disputes are managed through a community-based approach, emphasizing transparency and collaboration to mitigate risk.
As far as fees are concerned, the platform operates as a voluntary and free service for the community. The intention is to contribute to the community without any commercial or profit motive. This is a voluntary, non-commercial initiative to foster a community-focused space.

PS : It costs me nothing; I coded the site myself, and, as mentioned earlier, for hosting, it takes 0.1% of my VPS, which I use for other side projects.

I appreciate your understanding and support, as I strive to respect the principles and values on which Bitcoin was founded.

Best.

[r00tuser]

@r00tuser

3. Verify the seller's reputation on LocalBTC.org.

What kind of preventive measures are in place to deal with those who have the resources to artificially inflate their reputation on your platform?
You might want to add 2FA as well and I also noticed the login process was somewhat buggy ^{[I had to click it around 5 times before I could get into the dashboard]}.

• BTW, multi-posting is against forum rules ^{[you can respond to multiple users by clicking the "insert quote" button at the top right corner of each post (when you're in the "post reply" field)]}.
  

Hello,

Of course, I completely understand your concerns. Detecting artificially inflated reputation is a major challenge, and even global technology companies like Google face difficulties in controlling this phenomenon. The complexity lies in the diversity of methods users employ to manipulate reputation, making it challenging to implement a universal solution.

I am fully aware of this issue, and if there is a possibility to counteract it, I will implement it in the future. I am open to any suggestions or additional recommendations you may have on this matter. Your involvement and feedback are crucial for enhancing the integrity of the platform in the future.

ps : for the 2FA , i will try to fix that in future thanks for you repport.

Thank you for all your feedback!!

[Vod]

Detecting artificially inflated reputation is a major challenge, and even global technology companies like Google face difficulties in controlling this phenomenon.

Don't implement a reputation procedure!   Even with KYC and criminal record checks (both which would kill your enterprise immediately), people can still be robbed or murdered, and guess who would be sued?

[r00tuser]

Detecting artificially inflated reputation is a major challenge, and even global technology companies like Google face difficulties in controlling this phenomenon.

Don't implement a reputation procedure!   Even with KYC and criminal record checks (both which would kill your enterprise immediately), people can still be robbed or murdered, and guess who would be sued?

It is clear that any meeting with a stranger, regardless of their origin, online with an unknown person can be dangerous. It is well known that on dating sites, on Snapchat, Facebook, Tinder, or any platform, it is imperative to be vigilant. Even with identity verification procedures (KYC) and criminal record checks (as one can never truly know an individual, and identity theft is easy), the risk of theft or violence still persists. Prioritizing personal safety and being aware of the potential risks associated with online meetings with unknown individuals is crucial, and it is always good to emphasize this.

[logfiles]

Hello logfiles,

Thank you for your questions. Allow me to provide a more concise explanation of the principles that guide my platform:

Regarding the depositary or non-depository nature, the platform aligns with the Bitcoin philosophy, operating as a fully non-depository and decentralized service. Although being a platform for connecting buyers and sellers. my commitment is to adhere to Bitcoin's founding principles, avoiding unnecessary regulation, centralization and preserving user privacy.

This means you might have to adopt a system where individual traders have to download some open source software, run their individual nodes, connect to other peers creating a true decentralized peer to peer network and exchange (look at bisq.network)... right? Because that's what Bitcoin's philosophy is partly.

The absence of KYC is intentional, reflecting the desire for a more private and decentralized financial system. The platform is designed to uphold the values of financial freedom and user autonomy that bitcoin represents.

I understand, but your platform remains centralized in a way that you or Law Enforcement can stop it at any time they want. Probably seize even the servers.

Maybe you could consider creating a tor mirror as well in a mean time.

[Kakmakr]

I think it is cool to give something free to the community and I applaud that, but you also have to put warnings up to warn people against the dangers of using a system like this. (Also add some kind of disclaimer to protect yourself, if somebody misuse your system)

It is still early days and you still have a lot of things that need some fine tuning, so expect some negative feedback. I think "exchanges" need some competition to keep them on their toes, but I know the regulators will come looking for you.. once this grows big enough for them to take notice.

[seoincorporation]

Use a platform like this to buy or sell bitcoins, is a High-Risk move, i wouldn't recommend anyone to risk their money this way because if you lose your money the platform will say "It was a P2P exchange and we are not responsible for your loss".

My question is, how does the platform avoid scammers if there is no KYC process on it? Anyone could join with a fake name, offer Paypal, and after the deal then charge back the Paypal payment while they already get the BTC.

the idea isn't bad, but it will be a paradise for scammers with the current rules.

[r00tuser]

Hello logfiles,

Thank you for your questions. Allow me to provide a more concise explanation of the principles that guide my platform:

Regarding the depositary or non-depository nature, the platform aligns with the Bitcoin philosophy, operating as a fully non-depository and decentralized service. Although being a platform for connecting buyers and sellers. my commitment is to adhere to Bitcoin's founding principles, avoiding unnecessary regulation, centralization and preserving user privacy.

This means you might have to adopt a system where individual traders have to download some open source software, run their individual nodes, connect to other peers creating a true decentralized peer to peer network and exchange (look at bisq.network)... right? Because that's what Bitcoin's philosophy is partly.

The absence of KYC is intentional, reflecting the desire for a more private and decentralized financial system. The platform is designed to uphold the values of financial freedom and user autonomy that bitcoin represents.

I understand, but your platform remains centralized in a way that you or Law Enforcement can stop it at any time they want. Probably seize even the servers.

Maybe you could consider creating a tor mirror as well in a mean time.

Hello logfiles,

you're absolutely right. I'm going to promote Bisq.network on the platform. I'll create an article in the future FAQ.

Answer: No, because my site is a classified ads site. In the future, I'll add the option of selling any physical object in bitcoin, which will make the platform more general. Imagine if someone wanted to sell their house or car in BTC, let's be crazy 😅.
I'm a classifieds site; if people want to exchange bitcoins for tomatoes, that's their choice.

Best,

[r00tuser]

I think it is cool to give something free to the community and I applaud that, but you also have to put warnings up to warn people against the dangers of using a system like this. (Also add some kind of disclaimer to protect yourself, if somebody misuse your system)

It is still early days and you still have a lot of things that need some fine tuning, so expect some negative feedback. I think "exchanges" need some competition to keep them on their toes, but I know the regulators will come looking for you.. once this grows big enough for them to take notice.

Hello, Kakmakr

You're right, it's true.

I appreciate your feedback.👍

Use a platform like this to buy or sell bitcoins, is a High-Risk move, i wouldn't recommend anyone to risk their money this way because if you lose your money the platform will say "It was a P2P exchange and we are not responsible for your loss".

My question is, how does the platform avoid scammers if there is no KYC process on it? Anyone could join with a fake name, offer Paypal, and after the deal then charge back the Paypal payment while they already get the BTC.

the idea isn't bad, but it will be a paradise for scammers with the current rules.

Hello,

I understand your concerns, but I suggest scrolling back through the thread of this forum post where you'll find answers to your questions.

(Just for your information, PayPal is a centralized platform; if you conduct a transaction through PayPal, you can open a dispute.)

Life is made up of risks and choices, just carefully measured. I believe that in the real or virtual world, it's the same.

Best regards, and thank you for your feedback.