Twitter co-founder and Bitcoin advocate Jack Dorsey has urged encrypted messaging app Signal to integrate Bitcoin for peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, sparking debate about cryptocurrency’s role in everyday tech. The proposal, made via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 9, challenges Signal’s current reliance on Sentz, a lesser-known Ethereum-based token, and highlights Bitcoin’s potential to redefine private digital payments.
Why Bitcoin? Privacy Meets Decentralization
Dorsey’s suggestion came in response to Bitcoin developer Calle, who argued that Signal’s focus on secure communication aligns with Bitcoin’s decentralized framework. “Signal should use Bitcoin for P2P payments,” Dorsey wrote, emphasizing Bitcoin’s ability to operate without intermediaries like banks. Former PayPal president David Marcus echoed this sentiment, stating, “All non-transactional apps should connect to Bitcoin” to foster financial inclusivity 1 2 3.
Signal, used by over 40 million globally, already offers payments via Sentz (rebranded from MobileCoin in 2023). However, Sentz has faced criticism for opaque token distribution and ties to Signal’s leadership 1 4. By contrast, Bitcoin’s transparent blockchain and established network could address these concerns while aligning with Signal’s privacy-first ethos.
Signal’s Altcoin Experiment Faces Scrutiny
Since 2021, Signal has supported Sentz for in-app transactions, a move criticized for prioritizing a niche token over Bitcoin’s proven infrastructure. Critics argue that Sentz’s centralized governance and pre-launch price surges raised red flags 1 4. Dorsey’s proposal taps into a broader shift: viewing Bitcoin not just as “digital gold” but as a functional payment tool—a vision closer to Satoshi Nakamoto’s original P2P blueprint 5 6.
Big Tech’s Crypto Crossroads
Signal isn’t alone in favoring altcoins. Telegram promotes Toncoin (TON), while Meta’s failed Libra project aimed to create a proprietary stablecoin. Even Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has faced speculation about launching a native token 3 6. Dorsey’s push challenges this trend, advocating for Bitcoin’s open-source model over corporate-controlled alternatives.
What’s Next for Signal?
Signal has yet to respond to Dorsey’s proposal. Adopting Bitcoin could attract privacy-focused users and strengthen Bitcoin’s utility beyond speculation. However, transitioning from Sentz may require overhauling existing systems—a complex but potentially rewarding shift.
As crypto evolves, Dorsey’s call underscores a pivotal question: Will apps prioritize user-centric, decentralized solutions, or cling to closed ecosystems? For Bitcoin advocates, Signal’s decision could signal whether mainstream tech is ready to embrace cryptocurrency’s original promise.
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