Back in 2015, Firat Eren put his money into a neat little online bartering platform that grew out of a Facebook group called Bunz. In 2020, following a controversial pivot to a cryptocurrency model that led to a ‘Bunxit’ of users and top leadership, he went from a mere first investor to the brand’s sole leader; the only one left to pick up the pieces.

“Bunz is special. The only question is: am I good enough to make this value known by other people?”

After all the work he’s put in over the last six years, the platform that once exceeded 120,000 members only had 200 daily active users (DAU) in June, mostly in Toronto. Now, Eren admits, he might not have done the best job picking up those pieces. Perhaps, he thinks, Bunz needs a younger face or two.

In a related development, “The problem is not Bunz,” Eren told BetaKit in a Thursday interview. “The problem is me.”

Eren did try to bring a platform he believed in back to its core principles: “no cash, no discrimination, and no spamming.” His first big attempt came in 2022 with a “half-cooked” app update that brought usability issues, further hurting the user base. It wasn’t until December 2025 that he managed to bring the app up to his standard.

It now uses a new version of BTZ, the formerly controversial cryptocurrency that’s now a “universal trade item” to support bartering. It also added a “mountains” system, which rewards consistent users and item traders with more features. Eren has just one problem with the overhaul: the users still don’t like him.

Furthermore, here’s an example: “Fırat, you are defensive and refuse to hear people, even though we are the people you are trying to convince to use this platform. And we DID use this platform before the unnecessary overhaul & the mountain climbing bs. Maybe engage in self reflection? This is really embarrassing,” reads just one comment on a Bunz post attempting to galvanize Bunz’s minor number of loyal users to grow the platform.

In the post, Eren told users he would have to shut the site down if Bunz couldn’t reach 1,000 DAU in any one city by September 1st. Despite getting into comment section disputes with users who “don’t like me that much,” Eren mentioned he respects and loves them, just as he does the platform. Still, Bunz isn’t anywhere near its goal, and Eren was getting ready to pull the plug when he had his epiphany.

“Bunz is special,” Eren mentioned. “The only question is: am I good enough to make this value known by other people?”

Additionally, that’s why he reached out to Martin and Josip Kristo, better known as @twinpranks on TikTok. They’re a pair of 25-year-old twin brothers from Oakville, Ont., who have amassed millions of social media followers by filming videos and skits pranking each other. The twins originally connected with Eren in July to post sponsored videos about Bunz to help boost its user base. Eren could barely contain his glee while recounting a skit where Josip lists all the items he would trade his brother for on Bunz.

“That was cool, man,” Eren declared through his laughter. “They’re really nice kids.”

Instead of a new skit, this time Eren asked if the twins would like to join Bunz as co-founders in exchange for “sweat equity,” alongside four of Bunz’s most dedicated volunteers. He’ll sign over some of his stake to a new, younger founding team that’s reinvigorated his faith that Bunz can rebound and once again become the app of choice for bartering.

It is worth noting that “They’re Gen Z … I don’t even understand their jokes; they’re goofy jokes, but people like them,” the 54-year-old Eren mentioned, adding that the new team will better understand the user base. “Bunz is gonna grow. I’m expecting that—without ego, without my heart—I’m saying as an engineer, that’s what I’m expecting.”

Martin told BetaKit in a phone call that he and his brother truly believe in the app, and that he uses Bunz often, having traded things like phone cases, PS5 controllers, and duffel bags.

RELATED: Bunz locks down employee BTZ wallets as former admins lead mass exodus

In the broader context, “I want to use my skill set to help contribute towards Bunz, and I truly think that my brother and I having this co-founding position is a chance for us to be able to showcase what we can do in terms of bringing new people to the app,” Martin expressed. “In today’s world, it just makes sense to trade for something you don’t need for something you do need.”

While the twins can bring Bunz viral exposure through their three million combined followers on TikTok and Instagram, it’s the work they put into creating that following that Eren sees value in.

“It’s not easy to attract people with something that you create,” Eren mentioned. “I’m not after their followers, but their experience is key.”

Notably, eren declared he’ll still be the “leader” behind Bunz, but that he’ll be whatever the business needs him to be. He said he understands that making a business go from “zero to one” is an art he doesn’t seem to be able to grasp. Now that he’s working with artists, “we’re able to create something out of nothing.” With his original shutdown deadline of Sept. 1 fast approaching, the once-sole steward of Bunz is ready to give it yet another overhaul.

“Our mission is to create another instrument interdependent with money, and this is a very ambitious move,” Eren expressed. “Either we’re stupid, which is possible, or we’re very visionary; this is also possible.”