From the earliest days of civilization, livestock was the most valuable commodity — this made perfect sense, as rocks and fists full of grass just didn't taste as great. Sea shells, tools, beads, salt, weapons, crops and tobacco also served as money before the first coins were minted. However, bartering has been a means of transferring value from the very beginning.
Bartering - with a modern twist
There are a few barter exchanges that I've recently learned about. (Itex and TradeBank being a few examples.) They have their own currency, so instead of directly exchanging service for service, one could trade services for currency, which could then be spent on another service provider — opening up many new markets!
Benefits of accepting bartering
Bartering allows businesses to make use of their down-time or extra inventory. When cash paying customers dwindle, customers that accept barter units can fill the income gap.
Bartering can save money on business expenses.
Bartering 'profits' aren't taxed if they're spent back into one's business.
Better Bartering?
I would like to see a block-chain based solution to the limits of centralized bartering. It's time to make bartering great again. Get to work, devs, and help us decentralize all the things!
