Bitcoin-Linked Bitchat Downloads May Surge Amid Madagascar Protests Over Power and Water Cuts

• Rapid local interest: Google Trends shows “Bitchat” search interest jumping to peak levels in Antananarivo.

• Downloads: Chrome-Stats reports 365,307 total installs, including 21,000 in the last day.

• Context: Protests over water and power cuts triggered broad civil unrest and a surge in demand for decentralized messaging.

Bitchat downloads Madagascar spike amid protests — learn why users turned to offline encrypted messaging during outages. Read COINOTAG’s report.

Protests in Antananarivo over recurring water and power cuts triggered a surge in interest and downloads for Bitchat, a decentralized, Bluetooth-mesh encrypted messaging app, as residents sought offline communication options during unrest.

Block CEO Jack Dorsey’s decentralized peer-to-peer messaging service Bitchat registered a notable increase in downloads in Madagascar amid nationwide protests, following similar patterns seen in Nepal and Indonesia earlier in September. Local searches and installation metrics point to a rapid, protest-linked adoption spike.

A Bitcoin open-source developer using the X handle callebtc, who contributes to the messaging service, posted on Sunday that “Bitchat downloads spiking in Madagascar,” and shared screenshots of local news coverage of the demonstrations.

What is driving the Bitchat downloads spike in Madagascar?

Bitchat downloads in Madagascar rose sharply as residents coped with interrupted internet-dependent services during protests over power and water cuts. Users sought encrypted, internet-free messaging via Bluetooth mesh to coordinate and communicate when networks were unreliable or restricted.

How big was the search and download surge?

Google Trends recorded a jump from baseline to peak (0 to 100) for searches of “Bitchat” in Madagascar, concentrated in Antananarivo. Related queries like “Bitchat download” and “how to use Bitchat” were marked as breakout topics, indicating a very large increase. Chrome-Stats shows 365,307 total installs to date, including roughly 21,000 installs in the last 24 hours and 71,000 in the past week.

Why are users turning to decentralized messaging during unrest?

Decentralized messaging tools like Bitchat enable encrypted, account-free communication that can operate without internet infrastructure by using Bluetooth mesh. During network outages or in situations where authorities restrict mainstream platforms, these apps provide a resilient channel for coordination.

What local conditions in Madagascar contributed to adoption?

Madagascar’s low internet penetration amplified demand for offline-capable apps. DataReportal estimated around 6.6 million internet users in early 2025 out of a population near 32 million, while mobile connections exceeded 18 million, some limited to voice and SMS. These figures suggest many citizens rely on non-constant connectivity and may adopt mesh-based apps when access becomes constrained.

Dorsey launched Bitchat in beta in July. According to the white paper, the network is fully decentralized: no central servers, no accounts, no phone numbers, and no registration. The design prioritizes privacy and independence from infrastructure dependencies.

How does this compare to other recent unrest-related spikes?

Similar patterns were observed in Nepal and Indonesia earlier in September, where political unrest and social media restrictions drove spikes in Bitchat downloads. Observers note the app’s adoption often rises where traditional networks are unreliable or access to mainstream platforms is impaired.

Are encrypted messaging services at regulatory risk?

The European Union is advancing a “Chat Control” proposal that could require message screening ahead of encryption, a move critics say would weaken end-to-end encryption. Fifteen EU member states support the draft, but it has not yet reached the 65% population threshold needed for passage. Industry figures such as Diode CEO Hans Rempel and Brickken’s Elisenda Fabrega have suggested that such proposals could push users toward privacy-first, decentralized Web3 platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Bitchat provide download numbers for Madagascar specifically?

Chrome-Stats reported total installs and recent daily/weekly figures, but did not break down downloads by region. Google Trends showed search interest rising sharply in Madagascar, especially Antananarivo.

Can Bitchat work without the internet?

Yes. Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networking to enable encrypted, offline messaging between nearby devices, allowing communication during internet outages or restrictions.

Is the EU proposal likely to affect decentralized apps?

If enacted in its current form, the EU’s Chat Control proposal could pressure mainstream encrypted platforms, potentially accelerating interest in decentralized, privacy-first alternatives. The proposal has not cleared all legislative thresholds.

Key Takeaways

• Rapid adoption: Bitchat interest and installs spiked in Madagascar concurrent with protests.
• Offline resilience: Bluetooth mesh architecture enables communication without internet access.
• Regulatory context: Global debates on message screening could redirect users toward decentralized platforms.

Conclusion

The surge in Bitchat downloads in Madagascar reflects how outages and civil unrest can accelerate demand for decentralized, offline-capable messaging. With limited internet penetration and growing debates over encrypted communication in regions like the EU, privacy-first tools may see continued adoption. COINOTAG will monitor developments and update this report as new data becomes available.

Published: 2025-09-29 | Updated: 2025-09-29