tl;dr
Bitcoin advocates, including Jack Dorsey, push to integrate Bitcoin into Signal, igniting a debate over privacy, transparency, and the future of encrypted messaging in the context of EU regulatory threats.
**Bitcoin Advocates Push for Integration with Signal, Sparking Debate Over Privacy and Cryptocurrency**
In a bid to merge Bitcoin with one of the most privacy-focused communication platforms, a growing number of Bitcoin enthusiasts, including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, have launched the “Bitcoin for Signal” campaign. The initiative aims to integrate Bitcoin into the Signal messaging app using the Cashu protocol, which enables private Bitcoin transactions. However, the proposal has ignited a heated debate about the compatibility of Bitcoin’s transparent blockchain with Signal’s end-to-end encryption ethos.
### The Campaign and Its Vision
The “Bitcoin for Signal” campaign, led by pseudonymous Bitcoin developer Cashu, argues that Bitcoin should be adopted as a payment method within Signal. The campaign’s website states, “Bitcoin belongs in Signal. Cashu ecash enables truly private Bitcoin payments inside the world’s most trusted encryption messenger.” Cashu’s solution, based on “Chaumian Ecash,” is designed to preserve user privacy by allowing Bitcoin transactions without exposing metadata—a critical feature for Signal’s 70 million monthly active users.
Jack Dorsey, a long-time Bitcoin advocate, has publicly endorsed the campaign, retweeting Cashu’s posts and emphasizing the importance of Bitcoin as a medium for everyday transactions. “@Signalapp should use Bitcoin,” he tweeted, aligning with the campaign’s goal to make Bitcoin a practical tool for peer-to-peer payments. Bitcoin developer Peter Todd also joined the push, criticizing Signal’s existing crypto payment solution, MobileCoin (MOB), as “a failure” and urging the app to adopt Bitcoin instead.
### Criticisms and Privacy Concerns
Despite the enthusiasm, critics argue that Bitcoin’s inherent lack of privacy features makes it an ill-fit for Signal. Bitcoin’s blockchain is publicly visible, meaning transaction details—such as sender and receiver addresses—can be traced, potentially undermining the app’s encryption. Aztec Network engineer José Pedro Sousa questioned the move, asking, “Jack, why use a fully public blockchain for a privacy chat?”
Techlore, a digital rights advocacy page, warned that Bitcoin could jeopardize Signal’s privacy guarantees, as the blockchain’s transparency might expose user activity. Some experts suggested alternatives like Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC), which prioritize privacy through advanced cryptographic techniques. While Cashu claims its protocol offers privacy-preserving Bitcoin transactions, few such solutions have scaled successfully.
### The Broader Context: EU’s “Chat Control” Law
The debate over Bitcoin’s role in private messaging comes as the European Union grapples with the controversial “Chat Control” law. Proposed earlier this week, the legislation would require encrypted messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp to scan private messages for child abuse material, effectively breaking end-to-end encryption. Germany has opposed the plan, calling it unconstitutional, and the vote has been postponed until December.
For Signal, the push for Bitcoin integration highlights the tension between innovation and privacy. While the app has long been a champion of user security, the introduction of Bitcoin—despite its privacy limitations—could either expand its utility or expose its users to new risks.
### The Road Ahead
If successful, the “Bitcoin for Signal” campaign could position the app as a major hub for Bitcoin transactions, aligning with Dorsey’s vision of Bitcoin as a tool for daily commerce. However, the initiative’s success hinges on resolving privacy concerns and proving that Bitcoin can coexist with Signal’s encryption framework. As the debate continues, the outcome may shape the future of decentralized finance and digital privacy.
For now, the clash between Bitcoin’s transparency and Signal’s secrecy underscores the complex challenges of building a secure, private, and functional digital economy.