Jack Dorsey Urges Signal to Adopt Bitcoin for P2P Payments

In a move that has reignited debate within the cryptocurrency and tech sectors, Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has publicly urged Signal Messenger to integrate Bitcoin as its default method for peer-to-peer payments. Dorsey expressed his views on April 9, responding to a suggestion by Calle, a developer recognized for creating the Cashu protocol, who highlighted the compatibility of Bitcoin with Signal's privacy-focused platform.

Dorsey responded enthusiastically, echoing Calle’s sentiment and mentioning Signal, urging the company to consider Bitcoin integration seriously. His endorsement taps into the broader narrative of Bitcoin's utility beyond being a store of value, arguing instead for its active use as digital cash. Dorsey has long been a vocal supporter of Bitcoin, funding development efforts and championing its potential to create a decentralized financial infrastructure free from corporate or governmental oversight.

Signal originally rolled out cryptocurrency payments in 2021 through a feature that supported MobileCoin, a privacy-focused token that was later rebranded to Sentz in 2023. This decision was met with skepticism from the crypto community, particularly due to its limited availability and perceived centralization. Critics pointed out that MobileCoin’s reliance on the Stellar blockchain and its U.S.-based custodianship raised questions about its privacy credentials.

Moreover, Signal's close ties to MobileCoin raised eyebrows. The platform's founder, Moxie Marlinspike, was listed as a technical advisor to the MobileCoin project, leading to concerns about conflicts of interest. Despite those criticisms, the integration remained active and has since expanded to multiple countries, albeit with limited user engagement.

Dorsey’s call reflects a broader shift toward open protocols and decentralized systems. In his view, Bitcoin represents the most secure, censorship-resistant, and globally accessible monetary network available. “If it doesn’t become a daily means of payment, Bitcoin becomes an asset that you buy, forget about, and only use in case of emergency,” he said in a previous statement, underscoring the importance of integrating Bitcoin into everyday platforms like messaging apps.

David Marcus, the former head of Facebook’s Libra project and current CEO of Bitcoin payments company Lightspark, echoed Dorsey's perspective. He argued that apps like Signal should rely on Bitcoin's Lightning Network for payments, drawing a comparison between Bitcoin and foundational internet protocols like TCP/IP. “Everything else should be built on top of it,” Marcus said.

The idea of integrating Bitcoin into Signal represents the convergence of two powerful ideas: privacy and financial sovereignty. Signal is known for its strong encryption and resistance to surveillance, while Bitcoin offers a decentralized monetary network free from traditional intermediaries. Combining the two could create a powerful tool for global users seeking secure communication and censorship-resistant financial transactions.

Still, some challenges remain. Bitcoin's privacy features are limited when compared to coins like Monero or Zcash, though improvements through the Lightning Network offer greater transaction confidentiality and lower fees. Additionally, regulatory pressure around self-custodied wallets and crypto payments continues to mount in jurisdictions like the U.S. and EU, which could complicate integration efforts.

Signal has not yet responded to Dorsey’s public appeal. The company is known for its cautious approach to new features, often prioritizing user security over growth or hype. However, the growing momentum behind Bitcoin's Lightning Network and increased advocacy from influential tech leaders could pressure Signal to reevaluate its crypto roadmap.

If Signal were to integrate Bitcoin, it could mark a significant turning point in the adoption of decentralized financial tools within mainstream private communication platforms. More importantly, it could set a new standard for how encrypted messaging apps handle payments, favoring open, transparent, and censorship-resistant systems over proprietary tokens with unclear governance.

As users increasingly seek tools that combine privacy, utility, and autonomy, the future of digital communication may depend not just on what people say, but how they pay.