Jack Dorsey pushes Signal to adopt payments in Bitcoin

The former CEO of Twitter and entrepreneur in the cryptocurrency field, Jack Dorsey, has sent a clear message to the encrypted messaging platform Signal: adopt Bitcoin as a peer-to-peer payment method. The intervention, published on April 9 in response to a post on X by the well-known Bitcoin developer Calle, immediately sparked interest and approval among the supporters of the world’s most well-known cryptocurrency.

“Signal should use Bitcoin for P2P payments,” stated Dorsey. An invitation that could mark a significant turning point for the platform, which today supports payments only through Sentz (formerly MobileCoin), a privacy-focused token but often criticized for its lack of transparency.

Leaders in the crypto and fintech sector stand in favor of Bitcoin

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Not only has Dorsey taken a stand. Among the supporters of Bitcoin adoption on non-transactional platforms, David Marcus, former president of PayPal, has also joined, stating that “all non-transactional apps should connect to Bitcoin.” The growing support from prominent figures in the financial and technological landscape demonstrates a change in mindset: Bitcoin is no longer seen exclusively as digital gold or a store of value, but is reclaiming its original nature as a decentralized payment system.

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A point that the same Jack Dorsey has been emphasizing for some time: reducing Bitcoin to a simple store of value could mean limiting its potential and hindering its spread.

Signal and Sentz: a controversial story that opens the doors to Bitcoin

Founded in 2014, Signal is known for being an open-source application, specialized in encrypted communications, from instant messages to voice and video calls. But since 2021, it has made headlines for a controversial decision: the integration of MobileCoin (which later became Sentz in 2023) as the sole means of internal payment.

Sentz is an ERC-20 token designed to offer fast, private, and easy-to-use transactions. It is supported by prominent figures in the industry such as BlockTower Capital and Coinbase Ventures, and was founded in 2017 by Josh Goldbard and Shane Glyn. However, its connection with Signal has generated many concerns: criticisms have focused on alleged ties between the founders of the two platforms, the opacity of the token issuance process, and suspicions of unusual financial movements before the announcement of the partnership.

The actual independence between Signal and Sentz has therefore been called into question, and the choice of an altcoin for payments has fueled doubts about the effectiveness and neutrality of the strategy adopted.

Bitcoin as a return to origins

The peer-to-peer model was the founding principle of Bitcoin, as conceived by Satoshi Nakamoto. And this is precisely one of the elements that support Dorsey’s request. In an ecosystem where many apps have preferred alternative tools, often tied to internal interests or illusory promises of innovation, the use of Bitcoin would represent a return to the origins: direct, secure, and decentralized payments between individuals.

Signal, like many other applications, has historically chosen to integrate altcoins rather than Bitcoin. A common trend also among other messaging platforms.

The precedent of Meta and the push of Big Tech

It is not an isolated case. Meta (formerly Facebook), with the direct support of David Marcus, had also attempted to enter the crypto market with Libra, a digital currency that aimed to create a global internal payment system. However, the project has floundered over time, amid regulatory criticisms and governance obstacles.

At the same time, Telegram has actively promoted the use of Toncoin (TON), an asset developed by entities close to its founders, even though it is not technically managed by the same platform. This mixture between app and altcoin represents a constant in the current landscape, often motivated by strategic or financial issues rather than user needs.

Then there is the case of the “everything app” by Elon Musk, namely X, which has long been at the center of rumors about a possible internal cryptocurrency. However, Musk himself publicly denied this intention in August 2023, slowing down the speculations.

Will Signal adopt Bitcoin for in-app payments?

As of the publication date, Signal has not released official comments regarding Dorsey’s proposal. It remains to be seen whether the application will seriously consider the integration of Bitcoin into its payment systems.

What is certain, however, is that media pressure and the support of prominent figures are fueling the debate. If Signal were to decide to adopt Bitcoin, the change could pave the way for other platforms willing to return to the original vocation of the cryptocurrency: providing a decentralized, transparent, and efficient payment tool.

In a context where every technological choice carries with it ethical and economic implications, betting on Bitcoin would not only mean adopting a cryptocurrency, but embracing a different philosophy, more consistent with the idea of a free and secure internet that guided the birth of Signal.

The challenge now is between true innovation and marketing strategies disguised as progress. And Signal’s decision could become symbolic in understanding which direction the future of digital payments will take.