Social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, has surprised the crypto community by seemingly discontinuing its support for the Bitcoin emoji, also known as a hashmoji or hashflag. When users type #bitcoin on X, the platform no longer generates the familiar orange Bitcoin symbol that was introduced in 2020. This change has sparked backlash among Bitcoin enthusiasts who considered the emoji a staple in Bitcoin-related discussions on the platform.
The decision to remove the Bitcoin emoji comes as a surprise, especially considering that X’s owner, Elon Musk, has had a complex relationship with Bitcoin. While Musk’s companies Tesla and SpaceX hold significant amounts of Bitcoin, he has made public statements linking his support for the cryptocurrency to its energy consumption. Despite Musk’s previous involvement in the crypto space, neither X nor Musk has publicly commented on the removal of the Bitcoin emoji.
In response to the absence of the Bitcoin emoji on X, crypto lender Nexo has taken steps to propose the addition of Bitcoin emojis to digital keyboards worldwide. Nexo has submitted a proposal to the Unicode Consortium, the organization responsible for managing global character standards. While the Bitcoin symbol has been recognized by Unicode since 2017, it currently exists only as a black-and-white glyph and not as the popular orange emoji. If Nexo’s proposal is approved, the Bitcoin emoji could soon be available on all personal computers and mobile keyboards globally.
Nexo’s initiative has gained support from various crypto firms, with 15,000 people signing a petition to introduce the Bitcoin emoji on digital keyboards. Partnered with companies like Kraken, Bitget, Chainalysis, and Nansen, Nexo aims to make the Bitcoin emoji a universal symbol for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Fact Protocol, a decentralized network focused on AI and Web 3.0, has also endorsed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of having the Bitcoin emoji accessible on all keyboards for digital communication.
The proposal submitted to the Unicode Consortium is expected to receive a response by Nov. 30. If approved, the addition of the Bitcoin emoji to digital keyboards could mark a significant milestone for the crypto community, providing a visual representation of Bitcoin that is easily accessible to users worldwide. As the campaign for the Bitcoin emoji continues to gain traction, the future of this iconic symbol in digital communication remains to be seen.