How Tradeblock Combats Scams and Builds a High-Trust Marketplace

Tradeblock is transforming the sneaker trading landscape by creating a platform that emphasizes community, trust, and culture, driven by Co-Founder and CEO Mbiyimoh Ghogomu and his childhood friends. Initially inspired by fantasy sports, the platform integrates Stream's Chat API and AI moderation tools to foster secure and authentic user interactions, allowing sneaker enthusiasts to communicate, negotiate, and share detailed photos before trades, without the need for a large trust and safety team. The implementation of chat as a core feature was a direct response to user demand for seamless pre-trade communication, enabling quicker deals and increased user confidence. Facing challenges from scams and phishing attacks, Tradeblock leveraged AI-powered moderation to maintain a nearly scam-free environment, thus enhancing user trust and allowing the team to focus on community engagement rather than constant oversight. The platform's future includes expanding from one-to-one chats to group forums and social features designed to connect sneaker collectors, with AI moderation remaining central to maintaining a safe and vibrant community.