Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat App Surges in Nepal Amid Government Social Media Blackout (2025)
- Why Did Nepal’s Protesters Turn to Bitchat?
- How Does Bitchat’s Technology Defy Censorship?
- Bitchat vs. Traditional Social Media: A Financial Perspective
- Historical Parallels: From Bitcoin to Bitchat
- What’s Next for Bitchat’s Development?
- FAQ: Bitchat’s Nepal Surge Explained
In September 2025, Nepal’s youth-led protests against government corruption and social media restrictions sparked a viral adoption of Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app, Bitchat. With over 48,000 downloads during the peak of demonstrations, the Bluetooth-based platform became a lifeline for activists as traditional platforms like Facebook and Instagram were blocked. This article explores how Bitchat’s censorship-resistant design mirrors Bitcoin’s philosophy, its role in Nepal’s digital resistance, and developer Calle’s plans to integrate bitcoin payments. Data from TradingView and CoinMarketCap contextualizes the app’s financial potential.
Why Did Nepal’s Protesters Turn to Bitchat?
When Nepal’s government blocked 26 social media platforms on September 4, 2025—including Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook—Gen Z protesters needed an alternative. Enter Bitchat: a weekend project launched by Twitter/X founder Jack Dorsey on July 7 that operates without internet via Bluetooth mesh networks. By September 8, downloads surged to 48,000 (38% of total installs), proving its utility during internet blackouts. As one Reddit user noted, “Bitchat became our digital protest sign when the government tried to silence us.”
How Does Bitchat’s Technology Defy Censorship?
Bitchat leverages the Nostr protocol and Bitcoin-inspired peer-to-peer architecture to enable surveillance-proof messaging. Its whitepaper highlights three key features:
- No Metadata Leaks: Cryptographically impossible to prove who sent a message
- Offline Functionality: Works in low-bandwidth environments via Bluetooth
- No Central Servers: Resistant to government takedowns
Bitchat vs. Traditional Social Media: A Financial Perspective
While mainstream platforms rely on centralized infrastructure (and ad revenue), Bitchat’s decentralized model aligns with Web3 values. TradingView charts show how similar privacy-focused apps like Signal saw valuation bumps during past political crises. Calle’s roadmap includes integrating Bitcoin payments via Cashu, an eCash protocol that could let users send BTC through emojis—potentially creating Nepal’s first censorship-resistant payment network.
Historical Parallels: From Bitcoin to Bitchat
Dorsey’s app follows Bitcoin’s 2008 playbook: solve a crisis-born need (financial sovereignty then, communication freedom now). CoinMarketCap data reveals how Bitcoin adoption spiked during Venezuela’s hyperinflation—a pattern repeating with Bitchat in Nepal. “This isn’t just an app; it’s a protest tool,” said a Kathmandu university student who used Bitchat to organize demonstrations after the September 9 parliament attacks.
What’s Next for Bitchat’s Development?
Calle confirmed plans to add Bitcoin functionality, telling the BTCC research team: “The Nepal protests proved we need financial tools that work offline too.” The roadmap includes:
- BTC payments via Cashu protocol
- Peer-to-peer commerce features
- Enhanced mesh networking for rural areas
FAQ: Bitchat’s Nepal Surge Explained
How many people downloaded Bitchat during Nepal’s protests?
48,000 downloads on September 8 alone, per developer Calle—representing 38% of total installs at the time.
Why does Bitchat work without internet?
It uses Bluetooth mesh networks to create localized communication webs, similar to how Bitcoin nodes relay transactions.
Is Bitchat available globally?
Yes, but adoption spikes during crises—it previously trended in Indonesia during August 2025 protests.
