It looks like Signal isn't as open source as you thought it was anymore

Just use Status: https://status.im/private-messenger/

Mozilla Public License - E2E Encryption - P2P Messaging - Active community & git repo - Integrated Ethereum wallet for Web3 access

I wish. Status has even less adoption and dev support. If I have bugs on signal for MMS with my carrier, I presume any smaller niche messenger will be tougher to have loved ones adopt and will have even more bugs.

The integrated ethereum wallet is a red flag for me.

The messaging itself actually runs on the ethereum network.

Why? Brave has an integrated Ethereum wallet. In the future, you won't want to use an app that doesn't have one, or at least doesn't have hooks for WalletConnect. Web3 has a fairer monetization system than the exploitative Web2 advertising model built on spying and manipulation.

Brave having an integrated Ethereum wallet is also reason enough for me to not consider using Brave.

Try New Awesome Messenger!

It has:

* E2E encryption * Awesome new features * Decentralization * Everything you ever wanted

Small drawbacks:

* Can't actually talk to any of the people you want to talk to.

If anything Threema seems like the best alternative.

No it doesn't.

The messaging is run on a decentralized network that uses the Waku protocol.

Currently the clients (mobile and desktop) use Waku v1: https://rfc.vac.dev/spec/6/

But work to transition to Waku v2 is underway: https://rfc.vac.dev/spec/10/

Many persons that are interested in decentralized messaging are also interested in cryptocurrency, but not all are.

If someone wishes to use the app only as a messenger, the wallet will neither add to nor take away from their experience, i.e. use of the wallet is entirely optional.

I'm a developer at Status, and am on the team responsible for the Status Desktop client[+] (currently in beta), feel free to ask me anything.

[+] https://github.com/status-im/status-desktop

What makes crypto currencies solve a problem in this area that can’t be solved using traditional currencies and payment processors?

Blockchain is a system for introducing trust, who is it you don’t feel we should trust?

Current numbers re: adoption were discussed in Status' most recent Town Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98wsQe6hHHs&t=365s

As for dev support: Status has teams of full-time devs working on various projects related to the mobile[1] and desktop[2] (beta) apps, as well projects that are related to the larger Ethereum ecosystem, e.g. nimbus-eth2[3]. Our teams aren't particularly large, but are working steadily to squash bugs and add/improve features. We also have teams dedicated to UX and design.

[1] https://github.com/status-im/status-react

[2] https://github.com/status-im/status-desktop

[3] https://github.com/status-im/nimbus-eth2

Yes but isn't the Waku v1 protocol running on ÐΞVp2p, which uses the Ethereum network? The protocol is Waku, but as far as I understand the 'decentralized network' is the Ethereum network?

I wouldn't use Brave _because_ of that feature. After all, you can install any Chrome extension you want in Brave and use the wallet of your choice. But the existence of that feature is not a pre-requisite or post-requisite for using the product.

Here's the specs: https://specs.status.im/spec/10

That's correct. It uses Waku for routing and messaging, but the Waku nodes are Ethereum nodes with Waku v1 enabled.

Here's more from VAC, the org behind Waku and their plans for v2: https://vac.dev/waku-v2-ethereum-messaging

Well you can just stick with Facebook Messenger then and feed the beast.

Given the direction Signal is going... I do regret not having stuck with Whatsapp.

The only realistic alternative would be Matrix, but that's not usable for the average user yet (too unpolished).

The crypto bullshit inside Brave is also a red flag and why I don't use it anymore and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.