Bisq 2 is the next-generation version of the Bisq peer-to-peer exchange, built for people who want to trade bitcoin directly with other users from a Windows computer. It suits readers who are comfortable installing desktop software and want a free, open-source alternative to custodial trading apps. The project presents it as the successor to Bisq v1 rather than a minor update.
The program is distributed as a Windows build or installer and is licensed under AGPL-3.0, so its source code is public on GitHub for anyone to review. The current release is v2.1.14. Beginners will find the Bisq Easy mode the most approachable, while more experienced traders can take advantage of the wider set of trade protocols and privacy networks the program is designed to support.
What Is a Peer-to-Peer Exchange?
A peer-to-peer exchange connects buyers and sellers directly, instead of routing every trade through one company's order book and custody system. On a centralized exchange, the operator holds customer funds, sets listing rules and can freeze accounts. A peer-to-peer model shifts more of that responsibility onto the participants themselves.
That shift has trade-offs. Participants usually have to find a counterparty, agree on terms and manage each step of a trade more carefully than they would in a mainstream app. Some people accept that extra effort in exchange for less reliance on a single intermediary, while others prefer the simpler flow of a custodial service.
Bisq 2 belongs to this peer-to-peer family. Understanding the model helps readers decide whether the additional steps suit their habits before they install anything or send any money. It also explains why the project places so much weight on privacy options and on the ability to choose trade methods.
Who Bisq 2 Is For
Bisq 2 suits several kinds of readers. A first-time bitcoin buyer who wants to learn how a peer-to-peer trade works may start with Bisq Easy, which the project designs for novice users. Someone who values open-source software can read the AGPL-3.0 code on GitHub before trusting it with a trade.
Experienced traders may be more interested in the multi-protocol design, support for several privacy networks and the option to keep separate identities. Those features matter when someone wants to keep different trading activities apart or compare how different trade types work in practice.
Developers and researchers form another group. Because the code is public under a copyleft license, they can study how a decentralized exchange is structured. Casual users who only want a quick price check or a fully hands-off service may find a custodial app more convenient.
How Order Books and Trade Matching Work
An order book is a running list of offers from people who want to buy or sell, each with a price and an amount. In a peer-to-peer exchange, the order book is how participants find one another. A buyer scans the offers, picks one that fits, and starts a trade with the person behind it.
Matching is simpler when the market is active and more difficult when liquidity is thin. A small exchange may show few offers at any given moment, so prices can sit far apart. Patience and realistic expectations matter more on peer-to-peer platforms than they do on large centralized markets.
Understanding this mechanism helps newcomers read the screen. Price is only one part of an offer. The payment method, the timing and the reputation signals a counterparty displays all affect whether a trade is worth accepting.
Key features
Successor to Bisq v1
Bisq Easy for Newcomers
Multiple Trade Protocols
Multiple Privacy Networks
Multiple Identities
Supported coins
Bitcoin (BTC) is the asset highlighted in the project's documentation. Because Bisq 2 is built to support multiple trade protocols and privacy networks, the range of supported markets may change over time. Check the official documentation for the current list of assets before planning a trade.
How to install Bisq 2 on Windows
- 1
Download the installer
Download the Windows build or installer from the official website or from the GitHub Releases page of the project. Avoid copies offered by unknown sites, search ads or file-sharing links, since these are common sources of tampered software.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If the project publishes a signature, verify it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the installer and follow the standard prompts. Choose an install location you can find later, and review each step before confirming. If Windows displays a security prompt, confirm the file name and source match the release you verified.
-
Launch and configure
Start Bisq 2 after installation and go through the first-run setup. Take time to review settings for privacy networks and identities before your first trade, because these choices shape how the program connects and presents you to others.
How to use Bisq 2
Bisq 2 is easiest to learn in small steps. Start with a modest test amount and take your time with each screen, because peer-to-peer trades depend on careful reading.
- Open Bisq 2 and select Bisq Easy if you are new to bitcoin trading.
- Browse the order book to see how offers are listed, including their prices and payment methods.
- Compare several offers before choosing one, paying attention to terms rather than only the headline price.
- Read the trade instructions carefully and confirm each step with your counterparty inside the app.
- Keep notes on the agreed amount, method and timing so you can resolve any question later.
- Review your privacy network and identity settings before you commit to a trade.
- Finish the trade only when both sides confirm completion, and record the outcome for your own reference.
Repeat the process with a small amount until the workflow feels routine. Bisq 2 for Windows rewards patience more than speed.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and licensed under AGPL-3.0, so the source code is publicly available
- Bisq Easy aims to lower the learning curve for people new to bitcoin
- Designed to support multiple trade protocols, privacy networks and identities
- Public development activity on GitHub, with a recent code update
- Successor to the established Bisq v1 exchange
- Peer-to-peer trading involves more manual steps than a mainstream app
- Multiple trade protocols mean users must understand which method they select
- Documentation is spread across the project wiki and GitHub, so newcomers may need to check several places
- Users who are familiar with Bisq v1 will need time to adjust to the new design
Is Bisq 2 safe?
Bisq 2 handles bitcoin trades, so treat installation and use with care. Download the program only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file. Open-source code can be reviewed, but review does not guarantee that every build is safe, so checking the file itself matters.
Never enter a seed phrase, private key or wallet password on a third-party website, in a chat message or in a support form that claims to be from the project. Legitimate support will not ask for these details. Keep your own records of trades and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
Finally, check the latest version on the official website before installing, because older builds may lack current fixes.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/bisq-network/bisq2. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Bisq 2 is the newer generation of the Bisq exchange, so its closest relative is the original Bisq, which focuses on Bitcoin peer-to-peer trading. The new version is positioned to support multiple trade protocols, privacy networks and identities. ASGARDEX Desktop takes a different route, combining a wallet and DEX for THORChain, which suits users who want swaps on that network rather than a Bitcoin-centered peer-to-peer exchange. Komodo DeFi Framework is an atomic swap engine aimed at developers, not a consumer trading app. AtomicDEX API is listed as archived, so it is less practical for new users. Bisq 2 is the better fit for readers who want a desktop peer-to-peer exchange with a Bitcoin focus.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Latest version
- v2.1.14
- Last update
- 21 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/bisq-network/bisq2
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the program is free and licensed under AGPL-3.0, so its source code is publicly available. Downloading and installing the software costs nothing. Bitcoin transactions and any counterparty arrangements are separate from the program itself, so users should still plan for those costs before trading.
The program can be installed safely when you take basic precautions. Download it from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature, and never share a seed phrase or private key with anyone. Open-source code helps with review, but careful verification of each file remains essential for every user.
Bisq Easy is a mode within Bisq 2 designed for people who are new to Bitcoin. It focuses on ease of use and convenience, so beginners can learn the basics of a peer-to-peer trade without facing every advanced option at once. Experienced users may prefer to explore the full feature set later.
No. Bisq 2 is presented as the successor to Bisq v1, with a broader design that supports multiple trade protocols, privacy networks and identities. Users coming from the older version should expect differences in how the program is set up and used, so reading the documentation before moving any funds is a good idea.
The project's documentation highlights Bitcoin (BTC) as the main asset for trading. Because the program is built to support several trade protocols, the supported markets may evolve. Check the official documentation for the current list before planning a trade.
Yes. The code is published on GitHub under the AGPL-3.0 license, which allows anyone to read, study and modify it under the license terms. Open access to the code lets developers and security researchers examine how the program works, which is one reason many users prefer open-source trading tools.
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of your downloaded file with the value published with the release. If a signature is available, verify it as well. If the values do not match, do not run the file, delete it and download it again from a trusted source.
Verdict
Bisq 2 for Windows is best suited to people who want a free, open-source peer-to-peer exchange focused on Bitcoin and are willing to learn a few extra steps. Beginners can start with Bisq Easy, while experienced users may appreciate the multi-protocol design, privacy network support and separate identities. Readers who want a simple, hands-off app may prefer a custodial service. Those who choose Bisq 2 should take time with setup, verify every download, and start with small amounts.