←back to thread

Signal adds a payments feature with a privacy-focused cryptocurrency

(www.wired.com)
544 points josh2600 | 9 comments | 06 Apr 21 16:23 UTC | HN request time: 0.596s | source | bottom
Show context
vitno ◴[06 Apr 21 17:20 UTC] No.26714666[source]▶
I am incredibly disappointed in the Signal team. I don't want cryptocurrencies (or even any payments!) in my primary text app. Crypto/blockchain is fine, but if I want to use it I'll download a different app.

I'm finding this announcement creates some uncertainty in my head about Signal's long-term future.

replies(1): >>26714776 #
1. fastball ◴[06 Apr 21 17:28 UTC] No.26714776[source]▶
How did you want Signal to monetize?
replies(2): >>26714825 #>>26715585 #
2. RL_Quine ◴[06 Apr 21 17:31 UTC] No.26714825[source]▶
> Signal Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit. We’re proud of that designation and we’re out to prove that a nonprofit can innovate and scale as well as any business driven by a profit motive.

https://signalfoundation.org/

replies(1): >>26714842 #
3. fastball ◴[06 Apr 21 17:32 UTC] No.26714842[source]▶
Unsurprisingly money is still needed to pay for development and hosting costs, and Brian Acton's loan won't last forever.
replies(1): >>26715262 #
4. vitno ◴[06 Apr 21 18:06 UTC] No.26715262{3}[source]▶
This explicitly doesn't monetize Signal so this line of argument isn't particularly relevant.
replies(2): >>26717094 #>>26721264 #
5. lrvick ◴[06 Apr 21 18:36 UTC] No.26715585[source]▶
Maybe like Matrix did?

Sell turn key servers for people that lack the time or interest to run their own.

Federated and ethical.

replies(2): >>26717359 #>>26717409 #
6. TameAntelope ◴[06 Apr 21 20:37 UTC] No.26717094{4}[source]▶
There seems to be a very large amount of outstanding coin that the founders just happen to control...
7. ◴[06 Apr 21 21:03 UTC] No.26717359[source]▶
8. fastball ◴[06 Apr 21 21:08 UTC] No.26717409[source]▶
Yep, that is one option, though that doesn't seem like the route Moxie wants to take from what I've seen. He seems to think that you need a cohesive centralized platform if you want to be competitive (2016)[1].

At this point if you want federated it probably makes more sense to just use Matrix.

[1] https://signal.org/blog/the-ecosystem-is-moving/

9. ranguna ◴[07 Apr 21 06:52 UTC] No.26721264{4}[source]▶
The CEO of the coin itself said they they are planning on donating a lot of money to signal in the future.