The initiative seeks to enable private, censorship-resistant transactions using Bitcoin’s Chaumian Ecash technology. While advocates see it as a step toward making Bitcoin usable for everyday payments, critics argue that Bitcoin’s public ledger could compromise Signal’s privacy model. The initiative is being pushed forward as Europe also grapples with privacy concerns tied to the proposed “Chat Control” law targeting encrypted messaging platforms.
Bitcoin for Signal Gains Momentum
Several well known Bitcoin advocates, including Jack Dorsey, are backing a new initiative called “Bitcoin for Signal.” The goal of the initiative is to integrate Bitcoin payments into the privacy-focused messaging app Signal through the Cashu protocol. The campaign was launched by pseudonymous Bitcoin developer Cashu, who wants to bring Bitcoin’s Chaumian Ecash technology to Signal, which will enable private and censorship-resistant payments in the app.
Dorsey is a long-time supporter of Bitcoin adoption, and endorsed the initiative on X by reposting Cashu’s campaign message, stating that Signal should adopt Bitcoin. The idea also got some traction from well-known Bitcoin developers like Peter Todd, Calle, and Satoshi Labs co-founder Pavol Rusnak.
Todd criticized Signal’s existing cryptocurrency payment feature, MobileCoin (MOB), by calling it a “failure” due to its centralization and limited accessibility. Signal integrated MobileCoin in 2021, but it has faced ongoing backlash from the Bitcoin community for relying on a small validator set and for lacking transparency.
Supporters of Bitcoin for Signal argue that adding Bitcoin payments will align with the app’s privacy and independence ethos, and could potentially enable its 70 million monthly users to send peer-to-peer Bitcoin payments privately. Dorsey repeatedly said that Bitcoin must evolve beyond being just a store of value and should be used for everyday transactions, and this campaign wants to advance this vision.
(Source: Bitcoinforsignal.org)
However, critics raised concerns that Bitcoin’s public ledger could undermine Signal’s privacy-focused design. Aztec Network engineer José Pedro Sousa questioned why a privacy app would use a transparent blockchain. Others, including digital rights group Techlore, warned that Bitcoin could compromise user anonymity.
Some privacy advocates suggested alternatives like Monero and Zcash, which feature built-in privacy protections. While the Cashu protocol offers a privacy-preserving layer for Bitcoin, similar systems struggled to achieve mainstream success.
The campaign comes during a time of growing tension over digital privacy in Europe. The European Union recently postponed a vote on the controversial “Chat Control” law, which would have forced encrypted messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp to scan private communications for child abuse material. Germany opposed the proposal by arguing it violated constitutional privacy rights. The vote is now expected to take place in early December.
