Buy and sell Bitcoin directly with other people
No middleman holds your funds. No ID required. Trades settle instantly over Lightning Network.
The Trade Process
Buying Bitcoin
- 1.Find a sell order that matches your currency and payment method
- 2.Take the order - the seller's Bitcoin gets locked in escrow
- 3.Send the fiat payment to the seller using their preferred method
- 4.Confirm you sent the payment - the seller verifies and releases
- 5.Receive Bitcoin instantly in your Lightning wallet
Selling Bitcoin
- 1.Create a sell order with your price and payment method
- 2.When someone takes your order, lock your Bitcoin in escrow
- 3.Wait for the buyer to send you the fiat payment
- 4.Verify you received the payment in your bank/app
- 5.Release the escrow - Bitcoin is sent to the buyer
What's a "Nostr identity"?
Nostr is a simple, open protocol for creating censorship-resistant social networks. For this P2P market, you just need to know:
- It's just a key pair - like a username and password, but cryptographic. No email or phone needed.
- You control it - use a browser extension like Alby or nos2x to manage your keys securely.
- It signs your messages - every action you take is cryptographically signed, so no one can impersonate you.
Don't have one? Install Alby (browser extension) - it takes 30 seconds.
How is it secure without a company?
Lightning Escrow
When a trade starts, the seller pays a "hold invoice" that locks their Bitcoin. The funds can only be released to the buyer or returned to the seller - never stolen by anyone else. This is enforced by the Lightning Network itself, not by trusting a company.
Security & Privacy
No Server Storage
We never store your data on our servers. Your keys, identity, and trade history stay on your device only.
Encrypted Local Storage
If you use the built-in wallet, your seed phrase and Nostr keys are encrypted with AES-256-GCM. Without your password, the data is unreadable.
End-to-End Encrypted Chat
Trade chat uses NIP-59 GiftWrap encryption. Only you and your counterparty can read the messages - not even relay operators.
Common Questions
Is this safe?
Yes. The seller's Bitcoin is locked in escrow before any fiat is exchanged. If there's a problem, you can open a dispute and an admin will resolve it.
What payment methods are accepted?
Traders choose their own payment methods: bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo, cash, or anything else. You pick orders that match your preferred method.
Are there fees?
Mostro charges a small fee (typically 0.5%) on completed trades. Lightning network fees are minimal (usually less than 1 sat).
What if the other person doesn't pay?
If you're selling and the buyer doesn't send fiat, you can cancel the trade and your Bitcoin is released back to you. If there's a dispute, an admin reviews the evidence.
Do I need to verify my identity?
No. There's no KYC (Know Your Customer) requirement. You only need a Nostr identity, which is just a cryptographic key pair - no personal information required.
What wallet do I need?
You need a Lightning wallet. SATSRULES has a built-in wallet, or you can use any Lightning wallet that supports invoices.