Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has seemingly discontinued its support for the Bitcoin emoji (also known as a hashmoji or hashflag). As of press time, when typing #bitcoin into X, no Bitcoin logo is generated.
Initially introduced in 2020, the emoji appeared alongside the hashtag #Bitcoin, adding an orange Bitcoin symbol to tweets. This feature became a hallmark of Bitcoin discussions on the platform, and its recent removal has sparked a backlash from the crypto community.
Meanwhile, the decision is unforeseen, given that Elon Musk, the social media platform’s owner, has a complicated relationship with Bitcoin. Tesla and SpaceX, two of his companies, hold significant Bitcoin assets, and he recently even used a profile picture featuring blue laser eyes, a popular symbol among Bitcoin supporters. However, Tesla once owned substantially more Bitcoin but sold most of it in 2021 and 2022. Musk stated that his support would be reignited when Bitcoin’s hash rate was supported by at least 50% renewable energy, a level which it passed several years ago without Musk reverting his stance.
So far, neither X nor Musk has provided any public comment on this change.
Nexo’s proposal for a Bitcoin Emoji
Meanwhile, crypto lender Nexo has proposed adding Bitcoin emojis to digital keyboards globally.
The firm has submitted a proposal to the Unicode Consortium, a non-profit organization managing the global character standard.
Since 2017, Unicode has recognized the Bitcoin symbol as a currency sign. However, it exists only as a black-and-white glyph and not in its popular orange emoji. If the current request is approved, the Bitcoin emoji will be available on all personal computers and mobile keyboards worldwide. The Consortium is expected to respond by Nov. 30.
Nexo said 15,000 people signed its petition for the initiative, and it was partnered with several top crypto firms, including Kraken, Bitget, Chainalysis, Nansen, and others. It stated that its goal is:
“Orange pill for every smartphone out there.”
Fact Protocol, a decentralized network focused on AI and Web 3.0, which also promotes the initiative, stated that it was necessary to have the “Bitcoin emoji on every keyboard.”
It added:
“Now that we together have submitted the proposal to Unicode, this will be forever etched in the history books for as long as we keep communicating digitally.”