A growing number of Bitcoin enthusiasts, including Jack Dorsey and Peter Todd, are urging the privacy-focused messaging app Signal to integrate Bitcoin in a new “Bitcoin for Signal” campaign. The initiative proposes enabling Bitcoin payments through the Cashu protocol, potentially allowing users to transact seamlessly within the app.
Dorsey shared his support on X, stating, while retweeting a post from pseudonymous Bitcoin developer Cashu, the campaign’s organizer. The effort aims to integrate Cashu’s Chaumian Ecash solution, which combines Bitcoin’s decentralized features with enhanced privacy for app users.
“Bitcoin belongs in Signal. Cashu ecash enables truly private Bitcoin payments inside the world’s most trusted encryption messenger,” the campaign website states.
Developer Support and Critiques
Bitcoin developer Peter Todd has also joined the call, criticizing Signal’s current crypto solution, MobileCoin (MOB). “I’ve been wanting to try MobileCoin. But it’s such a failure I can’t even buy any. Signal App needs to accept reality and just add Bitcoin support,” Todd said.
Additional endorsements came from pseudonymous developer Calle and Satoshi Labs co-founder Pavol Rusnak, emphasizing the potential for Signal, which has around 70 million monthly active users, to become a significant platform for peer-to-peer Bitcoin transactions.
Dorsey has long argued that Bitcoin risks failing as a currency if it is only treated as a store of value and not used for everyday payments, aligning with Satoshi Nakamoto’s original vision.
Concerns Over Privacy
Despite enthusiasm from Bitcoin advocates, critics have questioned the suitability of Bitcoin for a privacy-focused messenger app. Bitcoin’s base layer lacks inherent privacy features, which could compromise user confidentiality in Signal.
“Jack, why use a fully public blockchain for a privacy chat?” asked José Pedro Sousa, an engineer at Aztec Network. Techlore, a digital rights advocacy page, warned that integrating Bitcoin could endanger Signal users’ privacy.
Some suggest privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR) or Zcash (ZEC) might be better alternatives. While Cashu’s Chaumian Ecash system provides enhanced privacy for Bitcoin, privacy-preserving Bitcoin applications have historically struggled to scale successfully.
Signal’s MobileCoin Background
Signal first implemented MobileCoin in April 2021, but it has faced criticism for centralization due to a limited number of validators. Advocates of the Bitcoin integration argue that Bitcoin, combined with Cashu, could provide a more resilient and private payment option than MobileCoin currently offers.
A successful Bitcoin integration could allow Signal users to transact directly within the app without relying on centralized intermediaries, bridging cryptocurrency adoption with privacy-focused communication.
Regulatory Context: EU Chat Control Law
The push for Bitcoin-enabled private messaging comes amid regulatory concerns in Europe. The European Union recently proposed the controversial “Chat Control” law, which would require messaging apps, including encrypted platforms like Signal and WhatsApp, to scan private messages to detect child abuse material. Critics argue this undermines end-to-end encryption.
Germany has opposed the measure, citing constitutional concerns over mass surveillance of private communications. The debate underscores the broader tension between privacy, regulation, and emerging crypto adoption.
Potential Impact
Integrating Bitcoin into Signal could redefine peer-to-peer digital payments within messaging platforms, attracting both privacy advocates and crypto enthusiasts. However, technical, regulatory, and privacy challenges remain. Success will depend on scaling privacy-preserving Bitcoin solutions like Cashu while maintaining user trust.
The “Bitcoin for Signal” campaign highlights growing interest in combining decentralized finance with encrypted communication, offering a potential glimpse into the future of private, crypto-enabled messaging.
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