Hodlhodl vs Pocket

Hodl Hodl is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin marketplace that removes the custodial step most exchanges require. When you buy or sell on a typical platform, the exchange holds your funds and decides when you can withdraw. That reintroduces the same counterparty risk Bitcoin was designed to eliminate. Hodl Hodl takes a different approach: each trade locks bitcoin in a 2-of-3 multisig escrow that you, the counterparty, and Hodl Hodl support control together. Neither side can move the funds alone, which means trades settle directly between wallets without Hodl Hodl ever holding custody. That shifts trust from a centralized company to verifiable on-chain contracts.

You can sign up with an email and start trading without submitting identity documents. Hodl Hodl supports over 100 fiat currencies and lets sellers post offers using bank transfers, cash in person, Revolut, PayPal, and other payment rails you already trust. Premiums vary by offer and tend to be higher for new accounts until you complete a few trades and build reputation. The platform uses a limit tier system: as your reputation score grows through successful contracts and reviews, you unlock higher daily and lifetime trading caps.

The web interface is straightforward. You filter offers by country, currency, and payment method, read the seller's instructions, and open a contract. Both parties chat inside the contract, upload payment proof, and coordinate the release once fiat clears. If something breaks, you can open a dispute and Hodl Hodl support co-signs the multisig based on the evidence. A Testnet environment lets you rehearse the full workflow with valueless coins before risking real sats, so you learn the escrow flow, chat prompts, and dispute process without capital at stake.

Hodl Hodl fits users who want non-custodial trading and are comfortable managing their own wallets, confirming payments, and negotiating premiums. You bring your own Bitcoin wallet to every trade, which means no withdrawal limits or custodial freezes. The trade-off is that you handle more of the process yourself compared to a custodial exchange that automates order matching and holds funds. Choose Hodl Hodl when self-custody and privacy matter more than instant card funding or automated recurring buys.

Pocket Bitcoin stands out with its non-custodial model, sending Bitcoin directly to your wallet without holding funds, and a no-account, KYC-light approach for daily buys up to €1,000 | 0.01 BTC | 0.01 BTC, prioritizing privacy. It offers one-off or recurring buys via bank transfer, with a 1.5% fee and no withdrawal fees, supporting select hardware wallets like Trezor and Ledger with message signing.

Pocket's mission is to make Bitcoin ownership frictionless and private, promoting self-custody without complexity and with a vision to expand to a dozen more European countries and enhance wallet integrations.

The mobile app, and the web portal for managing orders and wallet settings, are praised for their simple interface and fast transactions, but some find the fees slightly high.