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@ klk
2025-05-10 10:38:56Description: Just as Bitcoin enabled sovereignty over money, a decentralized shipping protocol would enable sovereignty over trade. An LN/Bisq inspired shipping protocol could create an unstoppable free market.
Bitcoin gave us monetary sovereignty, freeing us from central bank manipulation, inflation, and censorship. But there's a missing link in our freedom journey: the physical world of goods.
The Problem: Even with Bitcoin, global trade remains at the mercy of: - Arbitrary tariffs and import restrictions - Political censorship of goods - Privacy invasion of shipping information - Centralized shipping carriers
The Vision: A decentralized shipping protocol with these properties:
- "Onion-routed" packages: Each carrier only knows the previous and next hop
- Bitcoin-secured multi-sig escrow: Funds locked until package delivery confirmed
- Incentive alignment: Carriers set their own fees based on risk assessment
- Privacy tiers: Options for inspected vs. sealed packages with appropriate pricing
- End-to-end sovereignty: Sender and receiver maintain control, intermediate carriers just fulfill their role
How it could work:
- Sender creates shipping request with package details and destination
- Protocol finds optimal route through independent carriers
- Each hop secured by multi-sig deposits larger than package value
- Carriers only see next hop, not ultimate destination
- Reputation systems and economic incentives maintain integrity
This creates a free market where any individual can participate as a carrier, earning Bitcoin for facilitating trade. Just like Lightning Network nodes, anyone can open "channels" with trusted partners.
Impact: This would enable true free market principles globally, making artificial trade barriers obsolete and empowering individuals to engage in voluntary exchange regardless of geographic or political boundaries.
There are a lot of challenges. But the first question is if this is a real problem and if its worth solving it.
What components would need development first? How would you solve the physical handoff challenges?
originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/976326