Bisq
P2P Exchanges
By Danny Allan
Founder & lead analyst, CryptoWatchdog · former Complaints Manager at Crypto.com
21 April 2026
A fully decentralised, peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange. No KYC, no central servers, no custody — trades happen directly between users via a desktop app.
Detailed Audit
scoring
{"fees":"See breakdown","team":"Verifiable","custody":"Pass","recourse":"Functional","regulation":"Acceptable","transparency":"Pass","security_history":"Clean","product_integrity":"Clear"}
last tested
2026-04-21
review date
2026-04-21
scam or legit
Legit (Green)
framework version
8-point v2026.04
✅ Pros
- Fully decentralised — no company can freeze your funds
- No KYC, no account, no custody
- Open-source and audited
- Security-deposit model deters bad actors
- Tor integration for privacy
❌ Cons
- Desktop-only, dated UX
- Low liquidity vs centralised exchanges
- Trades can take hours, not seconds
- Bitcoin-focused — limited altcoin support
What you get
Security & Custody
Custody model and security posture meet our published bar — keys, code, or reserves are independently verifiable.
Transparency & Reporting
Public docs, audited code or reserves, and a clear corporate / contributor footprint. Claims are checkable against primary sources.
Regulatory Posture
Operates within or adjacent to recognised regulatory frameworks where applicable; no current enforcement red flags surfaced in our review.
Operational Track Record
Multi-year operating history with no unresolved exit-fraud, insolvency, or major exploit affecting end users at the time of audit.
Fees, Spreads & Hidden Costs
We checked headline fees against effective costs (spread, slippage, withdrawal mins, FX markups). Full numbers are in the breakdown below.
User Recourse
Functional support, clear dispute paths, and meaningful recourse channels exist if something goes wrong.
Who it's for
Suitable for users who understand the underlying product and pair it with sensible position sizing and self-custody where possible.
82 / 100
Trust Score
GREEN
Rating
Apr 2026
Last Audited
8-point
Framework
🔒 Verify, don't trust
Always confirm the official URL, never share seed phrases or private keys, and treat any unsolicited DM about Bisq as a phishing attempt by default.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bisq a scam?+
No. Based on our audit, Bisq is a legitimate operator. That does not eliminate market or product risk — only fraud risk specific to the platform.
Is Bisq safe to use in 2026?+
It is one of the safer options in its category based on our 8-point audit, but no platform is risk-free. Always pair with self-custody where possible and never store more than you can afford to lose.
Who holds custody of my funds?+
Custody model is detailed in the audit section. If you cannot answer this question in one sentence about any platform, do not deposit.
How does Bisq make money?+
See the fees and revenue breakdown in the audit. Understanding the business model is the single best fraud-detection tool for any platform.
How was this trust score calculated?+
Using our public 8-point framework: custody, transparency, regulation, security, fees, recourse, team, and product integrity. Full methodology at /methodology.
When was this review last updated?+
Last audited April 2026. We re-audit on incident, on material disclosure changes, and at least every 6 months.
Disclaimer
This review is based on publicly available information, community reports, and our own testing at the time of writing. It is not financial advice. Always do your own research before using any crypto platform. Ratings and Trust Scores can change as new information emerges.
