Contrary to the common Crypto Twitter claims that Bitcoin Cash is a dead coin with no activity, there’s a lot more activity happening on Bitcoin Cash than most people are aware of. This post is a quick introduction to some recently launched products and services built on top of BCH.

SideShift AI

Site: https://sideshift.ai

The SideShift AI trading interface

SideShift AI is an automated coin swap service, similar to sites like Changelly or Shapeshift. What sets it apart from these competitors is the dead-simple interface and a lack of user accounts or KYC. All trades are instantly settled on-chain, as soon as the deposit transaction receives its first blockchain confirmation.

While not being strictly BCH-centered, the service supports a few SLP tokens including SPICE and the USDH stablecoin, and has even issued its own exchange token, SAI, on top of SLP. The site is also responsible for the creation of BTC-2, an SLP token that is 1:1 backed with real BTC, allowing users to transact BTC while avoiding high fees during times of network congestion.

Although the site is currently in a semi-closed beta, you can use this magic link to trade without the need for an access code. Users should note that IP addresses from some jurisdictions may be unable to trade.

Badger Wallet

Site: https://badger.bitcoin.com/

Those familiar with Ethereum’s MetaMask may recognize this interface, as Badger Wallet is forked from the popular open-source browser extension. Badger Wallet supports sending and receiving BCH and all SLP tokens, and some other features such as replacing usernames and passwords on websites (see LazyFox below) and the Badger Button, an embeddable button for websites that allow easy in-browser payments.

Badger Wallet is also available as a standalone app for Android and iOS.

Spice Token

Site: https://spicetoken.org/

SpiceFeed: https://spice.network/

Spice Tokens (ticker:SPICE) began as a lighthearted social tipping and appreciation token used primarily on Telegram, but has since evolved into its own community and ecosystem, replete with its own leaderboard, Telegram-based casino, Twitter bot, and memes.

One of the more grassroots projects on this list, SPICE tokens are currently traded on SideShift, the Memo.cash token marketplace, and the newly-launched Cryptophyl exchange [currently in closed beta, but will likely get its own review here later].

CoinFlex

Site: https://coinflex.com

CoinFlex is a recently-launched physically-delivered cryptocurrency futures exchange. Company founder Mark Lamb is already an industry veteran, having previously founded CoinFloor, one of the UK’s longest-running Bitcoin exchanges. Here’s a recent video interview he did with Bloomberg.

If, like me, you’re confused by what the heck “physically delivered” means in the context of a cryptocurrency exchange, the site’s FAQ explains:

The differences occur in how the contracts are settled at expiry. In a cash settled Bitcoin futures contract, a participant will receive the difference between the price at which they entered into the trade and the expiry price, which is usually determined by an index composed of one or more spot exchange prices. This difference will be paid in ‘cash’ between the participants holding positions at expiry. ‘Cash’ in this case can sometimes be Bitcoin or USD. In a physically delivered Bitcoin futures contract, at the point of settlement, any participant who has sold Bitcoin futures for USDT futures (taken a ‘short’ position) will have that amount of USDT delivered to them. Similarly, any participant who has bought Bitcoin futures against USDT futures (taken a ‘long’ position) will have Bitcoin delivered to them.

CoinFlex offers several BCH trading pairs, and the site’s own FLEX token is built on the Bitcoin Cash SLP protocol. The company boasts a strong list of backers including Polychain Capital, Roger Ver, DCG, Dragonfly Capital, Mike Komaransky, Trading Technologies, Amber AI, B2C2, and Grapefruit Trading.

Sign up for Coinflex with my link for good luck!

Blockchain.Poker

Site: https://blockchain.poker

Blockchain.Poker is an in-browser poker site which, as the name suggests, only supports cryptocurrencies. While it may not be as feature-rich as some poker applications, everything runs smoothly and the signup process is painless — no personal info required.

The site currently only supports Texas Hold ’Em poker and features cash games and single-table sit-n-go tournaments, with larger multi-table tournaments coming soon. Watch out for an hourly BCH free roll tournament once the MTT feature goes live.

Play on Blockchain.poker

LazyFox.io

Site: https://lazyfox.io

Logging in to the site using Badger Wallet — no username or password required!

LazyFox is a BCH-based gig economy marketplace similar to Fiverr. Users can pay to have small tasks complete or earn money by performing the tasks others have listed.

My experience using the site so far has been pleasant: I uploaded a few paragraphs of text to be translated into Spanish and was returned a complete translation by another participant on the site in less than an hour. Payouts are instant and are sent directly to the user’s own BCH wallet upon completion of the task.

Local Bitcoin

Site: https://local.bitcoin.com

Local Bitcoin is Bitcoin.com’s answer to the decision by LocalBitcoins.com to add mandatory KYC and remove the option for in-person cash trades from their platform. The site supports any payment mechanism that buyer & seller agree on and it uses the recently enabled OP_CHECKDATASIG op-code on Bitcoin Cash for its trustless escrow system, meaning the site never has custody of user funds. All messages on the platform are end-to-end encrypted, preventing third parties, including the site itself, from reading your messages with a trading partner.

Getting started is easy and requires no personal information. Sign up here.