An Interview with Sideshift.ai

In an exclusive interview with BitcoinWorld, we got the chance to speak with Andreas Brekken Founder and CEO of Sideshift.ai

Q1. You’ve been in crypto since 2011, long before the hype. What was the exact moment or problem you saw back then that convinced you Bitcoin would change the world?

When I discovered that you could write code to send and receive bitcoin without needing a PayPal or bank account, I saw the potential of Bitcoin. This is even more true today since autonomous agents need to send value to humans or other agents.

Q2. You’ve built exchanges and worked at giants like Kraken. What was the single biggest “struggle” or failure in those early years that actually paved the way for the success of SideShift.ai?

When the bank closed the account of my first exchange in Norway, I swore never to start a company that touches fiat currency again. When starting SideShift, I kept that promise by only offering digital currency swaps. This way we avoid being harassed and having our time wasted by the legacy banking system and instead focus all our energy on the future.

Q3. Building a platform that processes billions isn’t easy. During the toughest “crypto winters,” what was the one thing that kept you from walking away from the industry entirely?

When the crypto market is suffering and sentiment is low, I remind myself how the traditional banking system charges extortion rate fees, takes days to process, and often denies you access to your own money. Unless you find a way to send gold bars over the Internet, bitcoin is the solution and the inevitable future.

4. If you were explaining SideShift.ai to someone who has never traded before, how does your “no-signup” approach make their life easier compared to a traditional bank-style exchange?

SideShift allows users to swap and bridge assets directly from their wallet. It’s fast, frictionless, has 24/7 customer support and you don’t need an account to start trading.

5. You emphasize “direct-to-wallet” trading. In simple terms, why is this safer for a regular user than leaving their money on a standard exchange?

When you trade on SideShift coins go straight to your wallet. We don’t hold balances. On a centralized exchange, your balance is just a number on their spreadsheet. If the exchange gets hacked, goes bankrupt, or has a fat-finger moment your coins go with it. With SideShift that risk is removed.

6. For a typical user holding the XAI token, what is the most practical, “everyday” benefit they get from it while using the platform?

Stake your XAI and receive a share of 25% of SideShift’s revenues, paid out daily. It’s real yield from a real business, not inflationary token emissions.

7. With integrations like Trezor and Bitcoin.com, how do these partnerships help a beginner feel more confident that their money is in safe hands?

SideShift has been integrated in Trezor, Bitcoin.com Wallet and many other products for years. When you swap through them, you never leave the interface you already trust. Same wallet, same experience, just with swap functionality built in.

8. What is the one major barrier you are trying to break down right now so that “normal” users can use cryptocurrency as easily as they use a credit card?

We want users to click as few buttons as possible when trading. Centralized exchanges make you jump through hoops before you can even make a deposit. Decentralized bridges let you trade freely but leave you stranded when something goes wrong. We’re finding the sweet spot in the middle. No lengthy onboarding, minimal friction and 24/7 human support. We’re focused on building a service crypto users enjoy.

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