Key facts
- The SACO app enables users to exchange services based on time rather than money.
- Users earn 'time credits' by providing skills and can spend them to receive services.
- The app aims to revive the ancient practice of bartering in a digital format.
- It caters to a wide range of skills, from professional expertise to everyday talents.
- The platform incorporates a rating system to build trust among users.
A new app named SACO is reviving the ancient practice of bartering by enabling users to exchange skills and knowledge without the use of money. Developed by two Spanish entrepreneurs, the platform operates on a time-based currency system, where users accumulate minutes by providing services and can later use these credits to receive help from others in the community. This digital approach to bartering aims to address rising living costs and economic uncertainty by allowing individuals to access services based on their abilities rather than their purchasing power.
SACO brings together a diverse range of users, from language tutors and AI specialists to tax advisors and cooking enthusiasts. The app's creator, Kazuhiro Tajima, highlights that nearly everyone possesses a skill that can be valuable to others, even if it's not typically monetized. By converting these talents into a form of currency, SACO provides a way to access services without direct financial outlay. The platform also includes a rating system to foster trust among its users.