New time‑exchange app lets users barter services without money

A new digital platform enables people to trade services using time and expertise instead of cash. Users earn minutes when they provide a skill – such as music lessons, tax advice or AI consulting – and can spend those accumulated minutes to receive help from others. The app, called SACO, was created by two Spanish entrepreneurs and is described by Euronews as a modern revival of the ancient barter system.

The service has been highlighted in media across Thailand, Australia, Moldova, Romania and other regions as a response to rising inflation and the growing cost of living, offering a collaborative‑economy alternative for consumers seeking to reduce out‑of‑pocket expenses.

The rollout is currently limited to a handful of markets, with plans for broader international expansion later in the year.