The Answer Is Transaction Costs Money Killed Barter; Can a Platform Bring It Back?
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Dec 9, 2025 Jassim Baqer, founder and CEO of Tbadel, shares his vision for a revolutionary barter app that aims to make exchanges practical again. They discuss the intriguing history of barter, the limitations imposed by money, and how platforms can reduce transaction costs. Jassim explains Tbadel's mechanics, including offers, counteroffers, and trust-building features. The conversation explores the popular items traded, the role of local communities, and future growth plans involving AI and cross-city exchanges, offering a fresh perspective on peer-to-peer trade.
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Money Solves Transaction Costs, Not A Fundamental Barrier
- Money exists mainly to lower transaction costs like search, matching, and making change.
- A platform can reduce those costs along different margins and make barter viable again.
Founder’s Personal Spark
- Jassim Baqer started Tbadel after his son was born and he left his job, prompting questions about how people get needs met when money is tight.
- He was inspired by Mike Munger's classroom exchange experiment to build a modern platform for barter.
Value By Conversation, Not Fixed Prices
- Tbadel doesn't try to fix a single monetary value for items and services.
- Instead it enables offers, counteroffers, and bundling so users negotiate perceived fair value directly.
