SideShift.ai
SideShift.ai is a non-custodial, no-KYC cryptocurrency exchange (operated by Paradigm Ltd, St. Kitts and Nevis) that enables direct-to-wallet swaps between 300+ digital assets in 44 seconds median. It serves privacy-focused crypto users and active traders via self-serve web (sideshift.ai, sideshift.us) and embedded wallet integrations (Trezor, Bitcoin.com, Edge, Aqua).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBasseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What SideShift.ai does
SideShift.ai is a non-custodial, direct-to-wallet cryptocurrency exchange operated by Paradigm Ltd, registered in St. Kitts and Nevis. Founded in 2018 as a sidechain swap tool for Paul Sztorc's Drivechain project, the platform enables users to swap between BTC, ETH, SOL and 300+ other digital assets across multiple blockchains without creating an account or completing KYC. The core technology is proprietary non-custodial swap infrastructure with a 44-second median settlement time, paired with automated risk management that integrates third-party AML/sanctions screening providers. SideShift never holds user funds — swaps route directly between user-controlled wallets.
The business runs on a transaction-fee model, charging 0.5%-1.5% per swap, materially higher than custodial exchanges (0.01%-0.26%) but defended by privacy and self-custody positioning. Distribution is API-first and bifurcated: (1) a self-serve web platform serving individual privacy-focused traders and active crypto users, and (2) embedded integrations in partner wallets (Trezor, Bitcoin.com, Edge, Aqua, Blocksquad, Trustee) that earn commissions paid in the native XAI ERC-20 token. The XAI token, with a 210M total supply, powers referral, ambassador, and integration-partner incentive programs; SideShift purchases XAI on the open market to fund these rather than minting new tokens. The company raised a single $817,500 seed round in July 2019 and states it is in good economic standing with no further funding planned.
Recent strategic activity centers on geographic expansion (SideShift.us launched in November 2025 covering 46 U.S. states) and ecosystem simplification (XAI staking rewards concluded June 2026 with remaining reserves slated for burn). The company is founder-owned, operates with a lean 11-50 person team, and competes in the non-custodial swap segment against both centralized exchanges and decentralized DEX aggregators. Its defensible position rests on cross-chain asset breadth (300+ assets), wallet-partner distribution, and the no-sign-up, no-KYC user experience — a positioning that simultaneously enables growth and creates regulatory exposure, given that the U.S. platform reportedly excludes users from restricted jurisdictions including Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the United States.
SideShift.ai firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SideShift.ai
- Legal name
- Paradigm Ltd
- Website
- https://sideshift.ai
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SideShift.ai is a non-custodial, no-KYC cryptocurrency exchange (operated by Paradigm Ltd, St. Kitts and Nevis) that enables direct-to-wallet swaps between 300+ digital assets in 44 seconds median. It serves privacy-focused crypto users and active traders via self-serve web (sideshift.ai, sideshift.us) and embedded wallet integrations (Trezor, Bitcoin.com, Edge, Aqua).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SideShift.ai industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cryptocurrency Exchange
- NAICS
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Securities and Commodity Exchanges (52321), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- SIC
- Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200), Commodity Contracts Brokers & Dealers (6221)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spot Crypto Exchanges (Order-Book & Matching Engine) (FSADAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Blockchain Settlement & Clearing Infrastructure (On-/Off-chain Post-Trade) (FSAGAMAC), Crypto-Enabled Cross-Border Transfers & On/Off-Ramps (FSAGAKAO), Crypto Remittance & Cross-Border Money Transfer Providers (FSADAIAD)
Keywords
Where SideShift.ai is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basseterre
- HQ country
- St. Kitts & Nevis
Offices1 record
Markets served
SideShift.ai business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Crypto Swap Transaction Fees: SideShift charges transaction fees on each cryptocurrency swap executed on the platform. Non-custodial swap fees range from 0.5%-1.5% of transaction value, higher than custodial exchanges (0.01%-0.26%) but offset by privacy and speed benefits.
- XAI Token Economics: Native token XAI is used for incentive programs (referrals, integration commissions). SideShift purchases XAI in the open market to fund these incentive programs rather than distributing newly minted tokens.
- Integration Partner Commissions: External partners (wallets, websites) that integrate SideShift.ai receive their commission in XAI. Partners can shift to their desired token once a set amount is accrued with no fee or spread applied.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Non-custodial swap fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
SideShift.ai product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SideShift.ai operates a non-custodial, direct-to-wallet cryptocurrency exchange that lets users swap between BTC, ETH, SOL and 300+ digital assets across multiple blockchains without creating an account or completing KYC. Transactions settle with a median time of 44 seconds at fees of 0.5%-1.5% per swap, with optional integration via partner wallets and an API for external platforms.
Product overview
SideShift.ai is a non-custodial, no sign-up cryptocurrency exchange platform that enables direct-to-wallet swaps between 300+ digital assets across multiple blockchains. The core offering consists of the main SideShift.ai platform and its U.S.-specific counterpart SideShift.us. The ecosystem is supported by SideShift Token (XAI), an ERC20 token used for incentive programs. Related products include the Refer a Human Program and Ambassador Program for community engagement, an Integration Partner Program for wallet/website integrations, a Telegram Bot for platform access, a Chrome Extension for browser-based swaps, an Earnings Dashboard for partners, and Treasury functionality. The XAI Staking program, which distributed 25% of platform profits, was concluded in June 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SideShift.us: U.S.-focused version of the direct-to-wallet cryptocurrency exchange, serving residents across 46 U.S. states.
Quantifiable outcome
- Median settlement time of 44 seconds for crypto swaps
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SideShift.ai
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SideShift.ai technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
SideShift.ai partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bitcoin.comcoreBitcoin.com wallet integrated SideShift.ai swap functionality since 2019. Users can swap cryptocurrencies within the Bitcoin.com wallet app. SideShift.ai CEO Andreas Brekken has appeared on Bitcoin.com podcasts and interviews. The partnership is described as a key long-term relationship.
- TrezorcoreTrezor Suite integration allowing users to exchange cryptocurrencies within the Trezor hardware wallet environment. Marketed as 'EXCHANGE' within Trezor Suite app.
- EdgecoreEdge Wallet integration enabling in-wallet cryptocurrency swaps via SideShift.ai. Edge is recommended in SideShift.ai research articles for self-custody.
- XAI Token Ecosystem PartnerscoreXAI token trades on Paraswap, Defillama, Uniswap, and Sushi.com. These DEX platforms provide liquidity and trading venues for the XAI token. SideShift purchases XAI in open market to fund incentive programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights7 records
SideShift.ai competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ChangeNOW: Non-custodial, no-account crypto swap service offering instant cross-chain exchanges across hundreds of assets. Closest direct competitor to SideShift.ai in the no-KYC instant swap category.
- Changelly: Long-established non-custodial crypto exchange aggregator offering instant swaps and API/widget distribution for partners. Competes with SideShift.ai on partner integrations and instant-swap user experience.
- StealthEX: Privacy-centric, no-registration instant crypto swap service covering a wide range of assets. Competes head-to-head with SideShift.ai for privacy-conscious crypto users.
- FixedFloat: No-KYC instant crypto exchange focused on cross-chain swaps with floating and fixed-rate options. Closely matches SideShift.ai's product surface and target user persona.
- Trocador: Crypto swap aggregator that routes users across multiple instant-swap providers. Competes with SideShift.ai both as a destination for users and as a competing distribution channel.
- SimpleSwap: No-registration cryptocurrency exchange supporting 300+ coins with a similar instant-swap model. Directly competes with SideShift.ai for privacy-focused retail and small-business swap volume.
- LetsExchange: No-account instant crypto swap platform with partner widget integrations. Closely comparable to SideShift.ai on product, target audience, and partner-led distribution strategy.
Emerging players
- THORChain: Decentralized liquidity network enabling native cross-chain swaps without wrapped assets. Represents an emerging decentralized alternative that could erode demand for centralized non-custodial swap services.
- MorphToken: Privacy-focused token swap and conversion service emphasizing user anonymity. Niche overlap with SideShift.ai's privacy-first positioning in the no-KYC crypto swap space.
Broad incumbents
- ShapeShift (now self-custody focused): Long-running crypto exchange that pivoted to a non-custodial, no-account model. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the non-custodial swap category that SideShift.ai also serves.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SideShift.ai social profiles
Digital presenceSideShift.ai financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SideShift.ai leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SideShift.ai subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SideShift.ai funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SideShift.ai M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SideShift.ai
What does SideShift.ai do?
SideShift.ai operates a non-custodial, direct-to-wallet cryptocurrency exchange that lets users swap between BTC, ETH, SOL and 300+ digital assets across multiple blockchains without creating an account or completing KYC. Transactions settle with a median time of 44 seconds at fees of 0.5%-1.5% per swap, with optional integration via partner wallets and an API for external platforms.
Is SideShift.ai a public or private company?
SideShift.ai is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SideShift.ai founded?
SideShift.ai was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SideShift.ai based?
SideShift.ai is headquartered in Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.
How does SideShift.ai make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Crypto Swap Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are XAI Token Economics and integration Partner Commissions.
Who are SideShift.ai's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ChangeNOW, Changelly, StealthEX, FixedFloat, Trocador, SimpleSwap and LetsExchange. Emerging players are THORChain and MorphToken. ShapeShift (now self-custody focused) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does SideShift.ai have an API?
Yes. SideShift.ai operates APIs that allow external partners such as wallets or websites to integrate SideShift.ai functionality. External partners receive their commission in XAI through the integration commission program. Integration partners include wallets and websites that embed SideShift's swap functionality. The service is described as being available for personal use only. Developer documentation is at sideshift.ai/api.
What industry is SideShift.ai in?
SideShift.ai's product category is Cryptocurrency Exchange. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSADAAAA, Spot Crypto Exchanges (Order-Book & Matching Engine), with a secondary code of FSAGAMAC, Blockchain Settlement & Clearing Infrastructure (On-/Off-chain Post-Trade). Its NAICS code is 5231 and its SIC code is 6200.