Does Bisq require KYC?

As of Jan 1, 2026, Bisq does not require KYC for normal use. Bisq is a desktop application with no central registration; users trade peer-to-peer with security-deposit escrow.

What payment methods does Bisq accept?

Bisq accepts: sepa, faster-payments, zelle, cash-by-mail, revolut, gift-card, crypto.

Operating jurisdiction listed as decentralized (non-profit DAO). This is best-known information; corporate structure can be opaque.

P2P exchanges

Bisq

Bisq is the canonical decentralized P2P exchange for Bitcoin.

Website: bisq.network
KYC: no KYC — Bisq is a desktop application with no central registration; users trade peer-to-peer with security-deposit escrow.
Status: active
Fiat on-ramp: yes
Payment: sepa, faster-payments, zelle, cash-by-mail, revolut, gift-card, crypto
Jurisdiction: decentralized (non-profit DAO)
Founded: 2014
Open source: yes
Custodial: no
Last verified: Jan 1, 2026
Sources: 2

Overview

What Bisq is#

A peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange that runs as a desktop application. Order books are gossiped across Bisq nodes; trades are escrowed in 2-of-2 multisig with security deposits from both sides; disputes go to arbitrators selected by the DAO. There is no central server that can take your money and no signup.

Threat-model fit#

The default option when “no intermediary” is the requirement. Liquidity and UX are the costs. For frequent or low-value trades, custodial alternatives are often more practical.

Strengths

No accounts, no registration, no central operator able to freeze funds.
Wide payment-method list including cash by mail and SEPA.
Open source, auditable, and Tor-routed by default.

Caveats

Liquidity is thinner than custodial alternatives; spreads are wider on less-common payment methods.
Security-deposit escrow requires you to lock collateral while a trade is open.
Dispute resolution is mediated by Bisq arbitrators, not an exchange — read the trade protocol before using it for large amounts.
Facts need re-verification by operator (last seeded 2026-01).

Verdict

Bisq is the canonical decentralized P2P exchange for Bitcoin. There is no central operator to KYC you and no central wallet for an attacker to drain. The user experience pays for that: you run software locally, you bond collateral, you wait for a matching peer. For users whose threat model is "no centralized intermediary," Bisq is the reference point.

FAQ

Does Bisq require KYC?: As of Jan 1, 2026, Bisq does not require KYC for normal use. Bisq is a desktop application with no central registration; users trade peer-to-peer with security-deposit escrow.
What payment methods does Bisq accept?: Bisq accepts: sepa, faster-payments, zelle, cash-by-mail, revolut, gift-card, crypto.
Where is Bisq based?: Operating jurisdiction listed as decentralized (non-profit DAO). This is best-known information; corporate structure can be opaque.

Sources

Bisq Wiki — Trading FAQ · accessed Jan 1, 2026
Bisq DAO · accessed Jan 1, 2026

Mentioned in

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Guides

Quick answers

Explainers

LocalMonero shutdown (May 2024)

Recommended in country pages

United States (US) P2P (no central operator)
Germany (DE) P2P, no central operator, strong SEPA liquidity
France (FR) P2P, no central operator
United Kingdom (GB) P2P, Faster Payments support
European Union (overview) (EU) P2P, no central operator
Switzerland (CH) P2P, no central operator
Netherlands (NL) P2P
Australia (AU) P2P, no central operator
Russia (RU) P2P
India (IN) P2P with UPI
Brazil (BR) P2P with PIX
Italy (IT) P2P
Spain (ES) P2P
Canada (CA) P2P with Interac
Japan (JP) P2P
Mexico (MX) P2P with SPEI
Argentina (AR) P2P
Turkey (TR) P2P
South Korea (KR) P2P (international payment methods)
United Arab Emirates (AE) P2P

Alternatives to Bisq

Entry last verified Jan 1, 2026. Notice an error? Send it via the contact form.