Jack Dorsey Advocates for Bitcoin on Signal Messenger
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, has thrown his weight behind the idea of incorporating Bitcoin into the Signal Messenger platform for direct peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions. Taking to X on April 10, Dorsey suggested that the private messaging app should leverage Bitcoin to facilitate its financial dealings, stating simply,
“Signal should use bitcoin for p2p payments.”
Community Support for Bitcoin Integration
Dorsey’s endorsement followed a proposition made by Bitcoin developer Calle, who argued that Signal could enhance its utility by enabling Bitcoin payments. Calle noted that given Signal’s strong privacy orientation, it presents an excellent platform for transferring digital assets without needing a separate blockchain. He emphasized that Bitcoin could be integrated effectively into Signal’s existing framework.
Signal’s Commitment to Privacy
Signal has built a reputation for prioritizing user privacy and security. It operates as an open-source platform with robust end-to-end encryption, ensuring that communication remains confidential between the sender and recipient, without retaining any message data. This commitment to privacy has attracted a dedicated user base of approximately 70 million, though it remains smaller compared to industry leaders like WhatsApp and Telegram.
The Implications of Bitcoin Integration
Integrating Bitcoin functionality could enhance Signal’s identity as a privacy-centric messenger, allowing users to send money directly and securely via a decentralized method. This adaptation would also present Bitcoin as more than just a store of value; it could emerge as a practical tool for everyday financial transactions.
Call for Broader Adoption
In light of this potential shift, David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark, has urged more platforms not primarily focused on finance to consider Bitcoin as a key protocol for money transfers, likening its importance to that of TCP/IP in digital communications. Notably, Signal currently allows for crypto transactions using MobileCoin (now known as Sentz) within its app, showcasing the app’s commitment to evolving in the digital payment landscape.
