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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Jack Dorsey
| name         = Jack Dorsey
| birth_name   = Jack Patrick Dorsey
| birth_name   = Jack Patrick Dorsey
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1976|11|19}}
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1976|11|19}}
| birth_place = [[St. Louis, Missouri]], U.S.
| birth_place   = [[St. Louis, Missouri]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality   = American
| occupation   = Technology executive, entrepreneur
| occupation   = Technology executive, entrepreneur
| known_for   = Co-founding [[Twitter]] and [[Block, Inc.]] (Square)
| known_for     = Co-founding [[Twitter]] and [[Block, Inc.]] (formerly Square), founding [[Bluesky]]
| title       = Co-founder and Chairman, Block, Inc.
| title         = Chairman of the Board, Block, Inc.
| website     = {{URL|https://squareup.com/}}
| awards        = ''Innovator of the Year'' – ''The Wall Street Journal'' (2012)
| website       = {{URL|https://squareup.com/}}
}}
}}


'''Jack Patrick Dorsey''' (born November 19, 1976) is an American technology executive and entrepreneur who co-founded two major technology companies that reshaped how people communicate and conduct financial transactions. As the co-founder of [[Twitter]], Dorsey helped create one of the most prominent social media platforms of the early 21st century, serving as its chief executive officer from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2015 to 2021. He is also the co-founder, principal executive officer, and chairman of [[Block, Inc.]], the parent company of the [[Square (financial services)|Square]] financial services platform, which processes mobile and electronic payments for businesses of all sizes.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Square |url=https://squareup.com/ |publisher=Square |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Beyond his work with Twitter and Block, Dorsey founded [[Bluesky]], a decentralized social media protocol and platform.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bluesky {{!}} History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky |publisher=Britannica Money |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In recent years, Dorsey has become an outspoken proponent of [[Bitcoin]] and decentralized technologies, guiding Block's strategic focus toward cryptocurrency-related products and services.
'''Jack Patrick Dorsey''' (born November 19, 1976) is an American technology executive and entrepreneur who co-founded the social media platform [[Twitter]] and the financial services company [[Block, Inc.]], formerly known as [[Square, Inc.]] Dorsey served as CEO of Twitter during two separate tenures—first from 2007 to 2008, and again from 2015 to 2021—while simultaneously leading Square as its principal executive officer. He also founded [[Bluesky]], a decentralized social media protocol and application.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bluesky {{!}} History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky |publisher=Britannica Money |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Dorsey developed an early interest in computers and dispatch logistics, which informed his later creation of Twitter's real-time communication model and Square's mobile payment technology. His career has been defined by a persistent focus on simplifying communication and commerce through technology. As chairman of Block, Inc., Dorsey has in recent years directed the company's strategy toward [[Bitcoin]] integration and artificial intelligence adoption, decisions that have generated both investor interest and internal controversy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Kevin |date=2026-02-21 |title=Jack Dorsey Faces Employee Backlash After Mass Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block |url=https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/jack-dorsey-faces-employee-backlash-after-mass-layoffs-and-ai-mandates-at-block-inc/91306381 |work=Inc.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Jack Patrick Dorsey was born on November 19, 1976, in [[St. Louis, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2011-06-02 |title=Jack Dorsey: The Man with Two Brains |url=http://fortune.com/2011/06/02/jack-dorsey-the-man-with-two-brains/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Growing up in St. Louis, Dorsey developed an early interest in computers and urban infrastructure. As a teenager, he became fascinated with the logistics of dispatch routing — the systems used by taxicab companies, emergency services, and delivery couriers to coordinate vehicles across a city. This interest led him to begin programming dispatch software while still in his youth.
Jack Patrick Dorsey was born on November 19, 1976, in [[St. Louis, Missouri]]. He grew up in the St. Louis metropolitan area, where he developed an early fascination with cities, maps, and the logistics of urban transit systems. As a teenager, Dorsey became interested in dispatch routing—the process by which taxis, ambulances, and delivery vehicles are coordinated across a city—and began writing software related to this field while still in high school.<ref name="fortune2011">{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey: The Man With Two Brains |url=http://fortune.com/2011/06/02/jack-dorsey-the-man-with-two-brains/ |publisher=Fortune |date=2011-06-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey's curiosity about real-time communication and the movement of people and vehicles through cities would later inform the conceptual foundations of both Twitter and Square. His early programming work demonstrated an aptitude for building systems that tracked and communicated status updates in real time, a concept that would become central to the microblogging platform he co-created years later.
Dorsey's childhood interest in dispatch software proved formative. By the time he was a teenager, he had written open-source software for dispatch routing that attracted the attention of companies in the field. His programs dealt with the real-time coordination of moving vehicles—a conceptual precursor to Twitter's model of real-time status updates and short-form communication. Dorsey has credited this early work with shaping his understanding of how brief, time-sensitive messages could be used to convey location and status information.<ref name="fortune2011" />
 
The young Dorsey was also drawn to the visual arts and fashion design, interests that would later influence his approach to product design and user experience at both Twitter and Square. He has spoken publicly about his admiration for the clean, functional aesthetics of urban infrastructure, and this sensibility carried through to the design language of the products he would eventually create.
 
== Education ==
 
Dorsey attended the [[University of Missouri–Rolla]] (now [[Missouri University of Science and Technology]]) before transferring to [[New York University]]. While at NYU, Dorsey conceived of an idea that combined the instant messaging features emerging on the internet with the short-form dispatch messaging he had worked on as a teenager. He did not complete his degree, departing NYU to pursue work in technology.<ref name="fortune2011" />
 
During his time in New York, Dorsey was exposed to the city's complex transportation and communication systems, which further fueled his interest in real-time information sharing. He later expressed interest in New York City governance and public life, telling CNN in 2013 about his desire to potentially serve as mayor of New York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey on his desire to be mayor of New York City, Steve Jobs, and being a bachelor |url=http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/21/jack-dorsey-on-his-desire-to-be-mayor-of-new-york-city-steve-jobs-and-being-a-bachelor/ |publisher=CNN |date=2013-03-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Twitter ===
=== Early Career and the Founding of Twitter ===


Dorsey co-founded Twitter, Inc., a social networking and microblogging service that allowed users to post short messages, initially limited to 140 characters. The platform quickly grew into one of the most widely used social media services in the world, becoming a significant tool for public discourse, journalism, and political communication.
After leaving NYU, Dorsey moved to the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], where he worked in the technology sector on dispatch and logistics software. By 2005, he had developed the core concept for what would become Twitter: a platform that would allow users to send short status updates—originally limited to 140 characters, matching the constraints of [[SMS]] messages—to a network of followers in real time.


Dorsey served as the chief executive officer of Twitter from 2007 to 2008. During this early period, the company experienced rapid user growth but also faced organizational challenges typical of fast-scaling startups. In 2008, Dorsey transitioned out of the CEO role.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey |url=http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/06/twitter_ceo_jac_2.html |publisher=InformationWeek |date=2008-06 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Reporting from ''The New York Times'' in October 2008 documented the leadership transitions at Twitter during this period as the company grappled with scaling its technology and business operations.<ref>{{cite news |date=2008-10-21 |title=Twitter Start-Up |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/technology/start-ups/21twitter.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> CNET also covered the leadership changes during this formative era of the company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter CEO |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10068368-36.html |publisher=CNET |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2006, Dorsey co-founded Twitter, Inc., along with [[Evan Williams (Internet entrepreneur)|Evan Williams]], [[Biz Stone]], and [[Noah Glass]]. The platform launched publicly in July 2006 and quickly gained traction as a microblogging service. Its simplicity—allowing users to broadcast brief messages to an open audience—appealed to journalists, celebrities, activists, and ordinary users alike, and Twitter grew rapidly in its first years.


Dorsey returned to the role of CEO at Twitter in 2015, a period during which he simultaneously led Square (later Block, Inc.), making him one of a small number of executives to concurrently serve as CEO of two publicly traded companies.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-10-14 |title=Square Files for IPO as CEO Dorsey Juggles Twitter Revamp |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-14/square-files-for-ipo-as-ceo-dorsey-juggles-twitter-revamp |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His dual leadership drew both admiration and scrutiny from investors and industry observers. He served as Twitter CEO until 2021, overseeing the platform through a period of significant cultural and political influence.
Dorsey served as CEO of Twitter from 2007 to 2008. During this initial tenure, Twitter experienced significant growth but also faced technical challenges related to scalability and reliability, with frequent service outages that became a hallmark of the platform's early period.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey |url=http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/06/twitter_ceo_jac_2.html |publisher=InformationWeek |date=2008-06-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2008, Dorsey transitioned from the CEO role to chairman of the board, with Evan Williams assuming the position of chief executive.<ref>{{cite news |date=2008-10-21 |title=Twitter's Growing Pains |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/technology/start-ups/21twitter.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey steps aside |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10068368-36.html |publisher=CNET |date=2008-10-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Square and Block, Inc. ===
The circumstances of Dorsey's departure from the CEO role in 2008 were the subject of considerable media scrutiny. Reports indicated that the board and co-founders had concerns about Dorsey's management style and the company's operational challenges during a period of rapid expansion.


In addition to his role at Twitter, Dorsey co-founded Square, a financial services and digital payments company. Square's initial product was a small card reader that could be plugged into a smartphone or tablet, enabling small businesses, independent vendors, and individuals to accept credit card payments without traditional point-of-sale hardware. The technology was considered a significant innovation in the payments industry, lowering the barriers to electronic commerce for small merchants.
=== Founding of Square ===


Square established its headquarters in San Francisco, initially operating out of the historic Chronicle Building.<ref>{{cite web |title=CHD Office Space: Square, San Francisco's Chronicle Building |url=http://www.californiahomedesign.com/blog/2011/06/30/chd-office-space-square-san-franciscos-chronicle-building |publisher=California Home Design |date=2011-06-30 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2013, the company relocated to new headquarters in San Francisco as it continued to expand its operations and workforce.<ref>{{cite web |title=Square Opens New Headquarters |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142657/https://squareup.com/news/releases/2013/square-opens-new-headquarters |publisher=Square |date=2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Following his transition to chairman at Twitter, Dorsey turned his attention to a new venture in the financial technology sector. In 2009, he co-founded Square, Inc. (later renamed Block, Inc.) with [[Jim McKelvey]]. The company's initial product was a small, square-shaped card reader that could be plugged into a smartphone's headphone jack, enabling small businesses and individuals to accept credit card payments through their mobile devices.


The company's growth was rapid. By 2012, ''Business Insider'' included Square on its Digital 100 list, noting the company's significant valuation.<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 Digital 100 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/2012-digital-100#7-square-32-billion-7 |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Square expanded its product offerings beyond the card reader to include point-of-sale software, business analytics, payroll services, small business lending, and the Cash App consumer payments platform.
The concept for Square reportedly arose when McKelvey, a glassblowing artist, lost a sale because he was unable to accept a credit card payment. Dorsey and McKelvey set out to create a system that would democratize access to electronic payments, making it possible for anyone with a smartphone to process card transactions. Square launched its first product in 2010, and the company grew rapidly as it expanded its suite of financial services tools for small businesses.<ref name="fortune2011" />


In October 2015, Square filed for an initial public offering while Dorsey was simultaneously managing his return as Twitter's CEO. The IPO filing attracted considerable attention given Dorsey's dual leadership roles and the ownership structure of the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-10-14 |title=Square Ownership, Dorsey, and IPO |url=http://fortune.com/2015/10/14/square-ownership-dorsey-ipo/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Square established its headquarters in San Francisco, initially operating out of space in the city's historic Chronicle Building<ref>{{cite web |title=CHD Office Space: Square, San Francisco's Chronicle Building |url=http://www.californiahomedesign.com/blog/2011/06/30/chd-office-space-square-san-franciscos-chronicle-building |publisher=California Home + Design |date=2011-06-30 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> before opening new headquarters in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Square Opens New Headquarters |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142657/https://squareup.com/news/releases/2013/square-opens-new-headquarters |publisher=Square |date=2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> By 2012, ''Business Insider'' ranked Square among the top digital companies, valuing it at approximately $3.2 billion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Digital 100: Square – $3.2 Billion |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/2012-digital-100#7-square-32-billion-7 |publisher=Business Insider |date=2012 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey expanded Square's focus toward commerce and financial services more broadly. In a 2014 interview with ''Women's Wear Daily'', he discussed his vision for simplifying commerce through Square's platform.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-01-16 |title=Dorsey Looks to Simplify Commerce With Square |url=http://www.wwd.com/business-news/technology/dorsey-looks-to-simplify-commerce-with-square-7365024?src=nl/mornReport/20140116 |work=Women's Wear Daily |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dorsey's leadership at Square drew comparisons to [[Steve Jobs]], with observers noting his attention to product design and his insistence on simplicity in user experience. ''Women's Wear Daily'' reported on Dorsey's ambitions to simplify commerce through Square's technology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dorsey Looks to Simplify Commerce With Square |url=http://www.wwd.com/business-news/technology/dorsey-looks-to-simplify-commerce-with-square-7365024?src=nl/mornReport/20140116 |publisher=Women's Wear Daily |date=2014-01-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''San Francisco Business Times'' named Dorsey its Executive of the Year in 2011, citing his work at both Twitter and Square.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive of the Year: Jack Dorsey |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2011/12/23/executive-of-the-year-jack-dorsey.html |publisher=San Francisco Business Times |date=2011-12-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The company rebranded to Block, Inc. in late 2021, reflecting its broader ambitions beyond the original Square payment product. Under the Block umbrella, the company operates Square (merchant services), Cash App (consumer finance), Spiral (Bitcoin development), TIDAL (music streaming), and TBD (decentralized finance).
=== Square's IPO and Growth ===


==== Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Focus ====
In October 2015, Square filed for an [[initial public offering]], a notable development given that Dorsey was simultaneously serving as CEO of Twitter, to which he had returned earlier that year. The IPO filing disclosed Dorsey's ownership stake in the company and raised questions about the sustainability of his dual-CEO arrangement.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-10-14 |title=Square files for IPO as CEO Dorsey juggles Twitter revamp |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-14/square-files-for-ipo-as-ceo-dorsey-juggles-twitter-revamp |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Square Ownership: Dorsey's Stake at IPO |url=http://fortune.com/2015/10/14/square-ownership-dorsey-ipo/ |publisher=Fortune |date=2015-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Under Dorsey's leadership, Block has increasingly oriented its business strategy around [[Bitcoin]]. Dorsey has publicly stated his belief in Bitcoin as a transformative technology and has directed company resources toward Bitcoin development and integration. Block's Spiral division focuses on open-source Bitcoin development, and the company has invested in Bitcoin mining hardware.
Square went public on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] and continued to expand its product offerings beyond the original card reader. The company developed [[Square Cash App|Cash App]], a peer-to-peer payment service that grew to become one of Block's most significant revenue generators. Square also moved into business lending, payroll services, and restaurant and retail management tools, building a comprehensive ecosystem for small and medium-sized businesses.


In early 2026, Block announced that small businesses using its Square platform could accept Bitcoin payments with zero transaction fees, a move aimed at increasing Bitcoin adoption among merchants.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey's Bitcoin Revolution: Small Businesses Now Accept BTC With ZERO Fees |url=https://www.binance.com/en-NG/square/post/294764551085649 |publisher=Binance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Return to Twitter (2015–2021) ===


Dorsey's personal association with Bitcoin has generated significant public speculation. At Block's Investor Day in November 2025, an inquiry was raised about whether Dorsey could be [[Satoshi Nakamoto]], the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, a question that Dorsey's response further fueled into public debate.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01 |title=Jack Dorsey Sparks Debate: Could He Be the Elusive Satoshi Nakamoto? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/jack-dorsey-sparks-debate-11880164 |work=Investopedia |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2015, Dorsey returned to Twitter as CEO, replacing [[Dick Costolo]]. His second tenure was marked by efforts to address the platform's slowing user growth, persistent issues with harassment and misinformation, and the challenge of developing a sustainable advertising business model. Dorsey led Twitter through a period of significant cultural influence—the platform played a central role in global political discourse, social movements, and breaking news—while the company continued to face questions about its financial performance and content moderation policies.


==== 2026 Layoffs and AI Mandates ====
Dorsey's management of both Twitter and Square simultaneously drew criticism from some investors and analysts who questioned whether one individual could effectively lead two publicly traded companies. He stepped down as CEO of Twitter in November 2021, handing the role to [[Parag Agrawal]]. Twitter was subsequently acquired by [[Elon Musk]] in October 2022.


In early 2026, Block, Inc. underwent significant workforce reductions under Dorsey's direction. In February 2026, [[Reuters]] reported that the company was cutting up to 10% of its staff during annual performance reviews.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-07 |title=Dorsey's Block cutting up to 10% of staff, Bloomberg News reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/dorseys-block-cutting-up-10-staff-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-02-07/ |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''WIRED'' reported in detail on what it described as "rolling layoffs" at Block, with hundreds of workers laid off in early February 2026 and remaining employees expressing uncertainty about the company's direction.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Inside the Rolling Layoffs at Jack Dorsey's Block |url=https://www.wired.com/story/inside-rolling-layoffs-jack-dorsey-block/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Bluesky ===


Simultaneously, Dorsey mandated aggressive adoption of artificial intelligence tools within Block's operations. This mandate, combined with the layoffs, generated employee backlash. ''Inc.'' magazine reported that workers expressed frustration over the juxtaposition of mass layoffs and the directive to integrate AI into workflows, raising questions about whether AI was being positioned as a replacement for human workers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Kevin |date=2026-02-21 |title=Jack Dorsey Faces Employee Backlash After Mass Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block |url=https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/jack-dorsey-faces-employee-backlash-after-mass-layoffs-and-ai-mandates-at-block-inc/91306381 |work=Inc. |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Futurism'' characterized the situation as the company "falling apart" amid the forced AI adoption, reporting on operational difficulties stemming from the rapid restructuring.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Jack Dorsey's New Company Falling Apart as It Forces Employees to Use AI |url=https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/jack-dorsey-block-falling-apart-ai |work=Futurism |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
While still at Twitter, Dorsey initiated and funded the development of [[Bluesky]], an independent project aimed at creating a decentralized protocol for social media. The initiative, announced in 2019, sought to develop an open standard that would allow multiple social media platforms to interoperate, rather than having each platform operate as a closed system. Bluesky was incorporated as an independent public benefit corporation and launched its own social media application, which gained significant user interest following changes at Twitter under its new ownership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bluesky {{!}} History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky |publisher=Britannica Money |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


As of late February 2026, Block was preparing to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, with analysts closely monitoring the company's financial performance amid the organizational upheaval.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Jack Dorsey's Block Gears For Q4 Earnings |url=https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/02/50772911/jack-dorseys-block-gears-for-q4-earnings-analyst-expectations-key-technical-signals-price-targets-and-all-you-need-to-know |work=Benzinga |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dorsey's relationship with Bluesky evolved over time, and he eventually distanced himself from the project, expressing disagreements with the direction taken by its leadership team. Nevertheless, the initiative represented a significant contribution to the broader discourse around decentralized social media and the future of online communication platforms.


=== Bluesky ===
=== Block, Inc. and Bitcoin Strategy ===
 
In December 2021, Square, Inc. was renamed Block, Inc., reflecting the company's broadened focus beyond payment processing to include blockchain technology and [[Bitcoin]]-related services. Under Dorsey's leadership as principal executive officer and chairman, the company made substantial investments in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency infrastructure. Dorsey has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin, describing it as the future of internet-native currency and committing significant corporate resources to Bitcoin development.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Square |url=https://squareup.com/ |publisher=Square |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
At Block's Investor Day in November 2025, a question was posed to Dorsey about whether he might be [[Satoshi Nakamoto]], the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, reflecting the level of public association between Dorsey and the cryptocurrency.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-23 |title=Jack Dorsey Sparks Debate: Could He Be the Elusive Satoshi Nakamoto? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/jack-dorsey-sparks-debate-11880164 |work=Investopedia |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Block's Bitcoin-related initiatives have included enabling Bitcoin purchases through Cash App, investing in Bitcoin mining hardware development, and offering Bitcoin payment processing for merchants. In 2026, reports indicated that Block had implemented zero-fee Bitcoin payment acceptance for small businesses, a move aimed at expanding cryptocurrency adoption in everyday commerce.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey's Bitcoin Revolution: Small Businesses Now Accept BTC With ZERO Fees |url=https://www.binance.com/en-NG/square/post/294764551085649 |publisher=Binance |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey founded [[Bluesky]], a project initially conceived within Twitter to develop a decentralized standard for social media. The effort was intended to create an open protocol — the AT Protocol — that would allow multiple social media platforms to interoperate, reducing the centralized control that any single company held over online discourse. Bluesky eventually launched as an independent social media application where users can post short messages of up to 300 characters, functioning as a microblogging platform.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bluesky {{!}} History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky |publisher=Britannica Money |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block (2026) ===


=== Board Memberships and Other Activities ===
In early 2026, Block, Inc. undertook significant workforce reductions and organizational changes under Dorsey's direction. In February 2026, [[Reuters]] reported that Block was considering cutting up to 10 percent of its staff during annual performance reviews.<ref name="reuters-layoffs">{{cite news |date=2026-02-07 |title=Dorsey's Block cutting up to 10% of staff, Bloomberg News reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/dorseys-block-cutting-up-10-staff-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-02-07/ |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Hundreds of employees were laid off in the weeks that followed, with ''WIRED'' reporting on the rolling nature of the layoffs and their effect on remaining staff morale.<ref name="wired-layoffs">{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Inside the Rolling Layoffs at Jack Dorsey's Block |url=https://www.wired.com/story/inside-rolling-layoffs-jack-dorsey-block/ |work=WIRED |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey served on the board of directors of [[The Walt Disney Company]], joining in December 2013.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-12-23 |title=Jack Dorsey Joins Disney |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/23/jack-dorsey-joins-disney/?ncid=tcdaily |work=TechCrunch |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He departed the Disney board in January 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2018-01-13 |title=Facebook's Sandberg, Twitter's Dorsey to Depart Disney Board |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-13/facebook-s-sandberg-twitter-s-dorsey-to-depart-disney-board |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Simultaneously, Dorsey mandated aggressive adoption of artificial intelligence tools across the company, directing employees to integrate AI into their workflows. This mandate generated internal backlash, with some employees expressing frustration at the pace and scope of the changes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Kevin |date=2026-02-21 |title=Jack Dorsey Faces Employee Backlash After Mass Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block |url=https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/jack-dorsey-faces-employee-backlash-after-mass-layoffs-and-ai-mandates-at-block-inc/91306381 |work=Inc.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Futurism'' reported that the combination of mass layoffs and forced AI adoption had created significant organizational turmoil within the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Jack Dorsey's New Company Falling Apart as It Forces Employees to Use AI |url=https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/jack-dorsey-block-falling-apart-ai |work=Futurism |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey has also served on the [[Berggruen Institute]]'s Governance Center board.
Block was scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings in late February 2026, with analysts monitoring the financial impact of these organizational changes.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Jack Dorsey's Block Gears For Q4 Earnings |url=https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/02/50772911/jack-dorseys-block-gears-for-q4-earnings-analyst-expectations-key-technical-signals-price-targets-and-all-you-need-to-know |work=Benzinga |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2013, Dorsey publicly discussed an interest in politics, including a stated desire to potentially become mayor of New York City, during an interview with CNN.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-03-21 |title=Jack Dorsey on His Desire to Be Mayor of New York City, Steve Jobs, and Being a Bachelor |url=http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/21/jack-dorsey-on-his-desire-to-be-mayor-of-new-york-city-steve-jobs-and-being-a-bachelor/ |work=CNN The Lead |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Board Service ===


=== Philanthropy ===
Beyond his roles at Twitter and Block, Dorsey served on the board of directors of [[The Walt Disney Company]] from 2013 to 2018. His appointment to Disney's board was reported by ''TechCrunch'' in December 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey Joins Disney |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/23/jack-dorsey-joins-disney/?ncid=tcdaily |publisher=TechCrunch |date=2013-12-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Dorsey and [[Sheryl Sandberg]] both departed the Disney board in January 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2018-01-13 |title=Facebook's Sandberg, Twitter's Dorsey to depart Disney board |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-13/facebook-s-sandberg-twitter-s-dorsey-to-depart-disney-board |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey participated in the #TeamTrees initiative in 2019, a collaborative fundraising effort organized by YouTube creator MrBeast and the Arbor Day Foundation that aimed to plant 20 million trees.<ref>{{cite web |title=TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |publisher=TeamTrees |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MrBeast TeamTrees announcement |url=https://twitter.com/MrBeastYT/status/1189348547889643520 |publisher=Twitter |date=2019-10-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dorsey has also served on the board of the [[Berggruen Institute]]'s governance center, reflecting his interest in governance and civic systems.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Dorsey is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Block, Inc. is headquartered. He has spoken publicly about his interest in urban design and city infrastructure, subjects that have influenced his approach to product development. In his 2013 CNN interview, Dorsey discussed aspects of his personal life, including his status as a bachelor at that time, alongside his professional interests and political ambitions.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-03-21 |title=Jack Dorsey on His Desire to Be Mayor of New York City, Steve Jobs, and Being a Bachelor |url=http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/21/jack-dorsey-on-his-desire-to-be-mayor-of-new-york-city-steve-jobs-and-being-a-bachelor/ |work=CNN The Lead |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dorsey has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to many technology executives of his profile. He has spoken publicly about his interest in meditation, fasting, and wellness practices. His lifestyle choices, including extended silent meditation retreats and ice bath routines, have attracted media attention.
 
Dorsey has expressed strong personal and philosophical commitments to Bitcoin and decentralization, themes that have increasingly defined his public identity beyond his roles at specific companies. He has described Bitcoin not merely as a financial instrument but as a tool for individual economic empowerment.
 
In 2019, Dorsey participated in the #TeamTrees initiative, a collaborative fundraising effort organized by YouTuber [[MrBeast]] and the [[Arbor Day Foundation]] aimed at planting 20 million trees.<ref>{{cite web |title=#TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |publisher=TeamTrees.org |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MrBeast TeamTrees Announcement |url=https://twitter.com/MrBeastYT/status/1189348547889643520 |publisher=Twitter |date=2019-10-29 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Dorsey has attracted public attention for his personal wellness practices, which have included meditation and fasting regimens. He has been publicly associated with the Bitcoin community and has spoken frequently about his belief in decentralized financial systems as a means to expand economic access globally.
Dorsey has also expressed interest in public service. In a 2013 CNN interview, he discussed his desire to potentially run for mayor of New York City, reflecting a long-standing interest in urban planning and civic governance that dates to his childhood fascination with dispatch systems and city infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey on his desire to be mayor of New York City, Steve Jobs, and being a bachelor |url=http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/21/jack-dorsey-on-his-desire-to-be-mayor-of-new-york-city-steve-jobs-and-being-a-bachelor/ |publisher=CNN |date=2013-03-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


In 2011, the ''San Francisco Business Times'' named Dorsey its "Executive of the Year," recognizing his leadership of both Twitter and Square during a period of significant growth for both companies.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-12-23 |title=Executive of the Year: Jack Dorsey |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2011/12/23/executive-of-the-year-jack-dorsey.html |work=San Francisco Business Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dorsey has received recognition from multiple business and technology publications for his work at Twitter and Square. The ''San Francisco Business Times'' named him Executive of the Year in 2011, citing his leadership across both companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive of the Year: Jack Dorsey |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2011/12/23/executive-of-the-year-jack-dorsey.html |publisher=San Francisco Business Times |date=2011-12-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Also in 2011, New York City Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] recognized Dorsey's contributions to technology and entrepreneurship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Release |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2011a/pr104-11.html |publisher=NYC Office of the Mayor |date=2011 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2011, New York City Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] appointed Dorsey to a role supporting the city's technology initiatives, reflecting the recognition of his expertise in technology and urban systems.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Bloomberg Announcement |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2011a/pr104-11.html |publisher=NYC.gov |date=2011 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


''Fortune'' magazine profiled Dorsey in a 2011 cover story titled "The Man with Two Brains," highlighting his unusual position leading two technology companies simultaneously and examining the management challenges and opportunities that arrangement presented.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-06-02 |title=Jack Dorsey: The Man with Two Brains |url=http://fortune.com/2011/06/02/jack-dorsey-the-man-with-two-brains/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Dorsey's profile as a technology leader has been shaped by the simultaneous growth of Twitter into one of the world's most influential communication platforms and Square (now Block) into one of the largest financial technology companies. ''Fortune'' profiled Dorsey in 2011 under the headline "The Man With Two Brains," documenting the unusual challenge of leading two major technology companies at the same time.<ref name="fortune2011" />


Dorsey's role in co-founding Twitter placed him among a generation of technology entrepreneurs who reshaped global communication in the early 21st century. His concurrent leadership of Square (later Block) positioned him as a figure at the intersection of social media, fintech, and cryptocurrency.
His influence on the technology industry extends beyond his own companies. The microblogging format that Twitter popularized under Dorsey's co-founding vision became a dominant mode of online communication, influencing journalism, politics, marketing, and social discourse. Similarly, Square's mobile payment innovations helped establish the mobile point-of-sale category and contributed to the broader shift toward cashless commerce.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Dorsey's influence on the technology industry spans two distinct domains: social media and financial technology. Twitter, which he co-founded, became a central platform for real-time public communication, used by journalists, politicians, activists, and ordinary users to share information and commentary. The platform's 140-character format (later expanded to 280 characters) introduced a new form of public discourse that influenced how news was reported and consumed globally.
Jack Dorsey's career has been defined by the creation of two technology platforms that reshaped their respective industries. Twitter, which he co-founded in 2006, transformed real-time communication and became a central venue for public discourse, breaking news, political debate, and social movements worldwide. The platform's 140-character format (later expanded to 280 characters) influenced how people consume and share information, and its impact on journalism, politics, and culture has been extensively documented.


Square, the other company Dorsey co-founded, is credited with democratizing electronic payment processing by making it accessible to small businesses and individual sellers who previously lacked the infrastructure to accept card payments. The company's small, square-shaped card reader became an iconic piece of hardware in the payments industry.
Square, later renamed Block, democratized access to electronic payment processing by making it possible for small businesses and individual sellers to accept credit card payments through a simple mobile device attachment. The company's subsequent expansion into peer-to-peer payments through Cash App, business lending, and cryptocurrency services broadened its impact on the financial services industry.


Through Block's various subsidiaries and through Bluesky, Dorsey has continued to pursue themes of decentralization and open protocols. His advocacy for Bitcoin and decentralized technology has positioned Block as one of the most prominent publicly traded companies with a strategic focus on cryptocurrency.
Dorsey's founding of the Bluesky project represented an attempt to address criticisms of centralized social media platforms by developing a decentralized protocol for online communication. While Dorsey eventually distanced himself from Bluesky's organizational leadership, the project contributed to a growing movement toward decentralized alternatives to established social media networks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bluesky {{!}} History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky |publisher=Britannica Money |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


As of 2026, Dorsey's legacy remains actively evolving, shaped both by his foundational contributions to social media and fintech and by the ongoing challenges and controversies at Block, including workforce reductions and the company's aggressive pivot toward AI integration.
His advocacy for Bitcoin and decentralized financial systems has positioned him as one of the most prominent figures in the cryptocurrency space. By directing Block's corporate strategy toward Bitcoin integration and investing in mining hardware and payment infrastructure, Dorsey has sought to accelerate the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency in everyday commerce.
 
Dorsey's leadership style and management decisions have also generated criticism, particularly regarding the layoffs and AI mandates at Block in early 2026, and the circumstances surrounding his original departure from Twitter's CEO role in 2008. His career reflects the complexities of building and leading technology companies at scale, including the tensions between innovation and organizational stability.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 114: Line 135:
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Latest revision as of 01:48, 24 February 2026


Jack Dorsey
BornJack Patrick Dorsey
19 11, 1976
BirthplaceSt. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationTechnology executive, entrepreneur
TitleChairman of the Board, Block, Inc.
Known forCo-founding Twitter and Block, Inc. (formerly Square), founding Bluesky
AwardsInnovator of the Year – The Wall Street Journal (2012)
Website[https://squareup.com/ Official site]

Jack Patrick Dorsey (born November 19, 1976) is an American technology executive and entrepreneur who co-founded the social media platform Twitter and the financial services company Block, Inc., formerly known as Square, Inc. Dorsey served as CEO of Twitter during two separate tenures—first from 2007 to 2008, and again from 2015 to 2021—while simultaneously leading Square as its principal executive officer. He also founded Bluesky, a decentralized social media protocol and application.[1] Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Dorsey developed an early interest in computers and dispatch logistics, which informed his later creation of Twitter's real-time communication model and Square's mobile payment technology. His career has been defined by a persistent focus on simplifying communication and commerce through technology. As chairman of Block, Inc., Dorsey has in recent years directed the company's strategy toward Bitcoin integration and artificial intelligence adoption, decisions that have generated both investor interest and internal controversy.[2]

Early Life

Jack Patrick Dorsey was born on November 19, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in the St. Louis metropolitan area, where he developed an early fascination with cities, maps, and the logistics of urban transit systems. As a teenager, Dorsey became interested in dispatch routing—the process by which taxis, ambulances, and delivery vehicles are coordinated across a city—and began writing software related to this field while still in high school.[3]

Dorsey's childhood interest in dispatch software proved formative. By the time he was a teenager, he had written open-source software for dispatch routing that attracted the attention of companies in the field. His programs dealt with the real-time coordination of moving vehicles—a conceptual precursor to Twitter's model of real-time status updates and short-form communication. Dorsey has credited this early work with shaping his understanding of how brief, time-sensitive messages could be used to convey location and status information.[3]

The young Dorsey was also drawn to the visual arts and fashion design, interests that would later influence his approach to product design and user experience at both Twitter and Square. He has spoken publicly about his admiration for the clean, functional aesthetics of urban infrastructure, and this sensibility carried through to the design language of the products he would eventually create.

Education

Dorsey attended the University of Missouri–Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) before transferring to New York University. While at NYU, Dorsey conceived of an idea that combined the instant messaging features emerging on the internet with the short-form dispatch messaging he had worked on as a teenager. He did not complete his degree, departing NYU to pursue work in technology.[3]

During his time in New York, Dorsey was exposed to the city's complex transportation and communication systems, which further fueled his interest in real-time information sharing. He later expressed interest in New York City governance and public life, telling CNN in 2013 about his desire to potentially serve as mayor of New York City.[4]

Career

Early Career and the Founding of Twitter

After leaving NYU, Dorsey moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he worked in the technology sector on dispatch and logistics software. By 2005, he had developed the core concept for what would become Twitter: a platform that would allow users to send short status updates—originally limited to 140 characters, matching the constraints of SMS messages—to a network of followers in real time.

In 2006, Dorsey co-founded Twitter, Inc., along with Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass. The platform launched publicly in July 2006 and quickly gained traction as a microblogging service. Its simplicity—allowing users to broadcast brief messages to an open audience—appealed to journalists, celebrities, activists, and ordinary users alike, and Twitter grew rapidly in its first years.

Dorsey served as CEO of Twitter from 2007 to 2008. During this initial tenure, Twitter experienced significant growth but also faced technical challenges related to scalability and reliability, with frequent service outages that became a hallmark of the platform's early period.[5] In 2008, Dorsey transitioned from the CEO role to chairman of the board, with Evan Williams assuming the position of chief executive.[6][7]

The circumstances of Dorsey's departure from the CEO role in 2008 were the subject of considerable media scrutiny. Reports indicated that the board and co-founders had concerns about Dorsey's management style and the company's operational challenges during a period of rapid expansion.

Founding of Square

Following his transition to chairman at Twitter, Dorsey turned his attention to a new venture in the financial technology sector. In 2009, he co-founded Square, Inc. (later renamed Block, Inc.) with Jim McKelvey. The company's initial product was a small, square-shaped card reader that could be plugged into a smartphone's headphone jack, enabling small businesses and individuals to accept credit card payments through their mobile devices.

The concept for Square reportedly arose when McKelvey, a glassblowing artist, lost a sale because he was unable to accept a credit card payment. Dorsey and McKelvey set out to create a system that would democratize access to electronic payments, making it possible for anyone with a smartphone to process card transactions. Square launched its first product in 2010, and the company grew rapidly as it expanded its suite of financial services tools for small businesses.[3]

Square established its headquarters in San Francisco, initially operating out of space in the city's historic Chronicle Building[8] before opening new headquarters in 2013.[9] By 2012, Business Insider ranked Square among the top digital companies, valuing it at approximately $3.2 billion.[10]

Dorsey's leadership at Square drew comparisons to Steve Jobs, with observers noting his attention to product design and his insistence on simplicity in user experience. Women's Wear Daily reported on Dorsey's ambitions to simplify commerce through Square's technology.[11] The San Francisco Business Times named Dorsey its Executive of the Year in 2011, citing his work at both Twitter and Square.[12]

Square's IPO and Growth

In October 2015, Square filed for an initial public offering, a notable development given that Dorsey was simultaneously serving as CEO of Twitter, to which he had returned earlier that year. The IPO filing disclosed Dorsey's ownership stake in the company and raised questions about the sustainability of his dual-CEO arrangement.[13][14]

Square went public on the New York Stock Exchange and continued to expand its product offerings beyond the original card reader. The company developed Cash App, a peer-to-peer payment service that grew to become one of Block's most significant revenue generators. Square also moved into business lending, payroll services, and restaurant and retail management tools, building a comprehensive ecosystem for small and medium-sized businesses.

Return to Twitter (2015–2021)

In 2015, Dorsey returned to Twitter as CEO, replacing Dick Costolo. His second tenure was marked by efforts to address the platform's slowing user growth, persistent issues with harassment and misinformation, and the challenge of developing a sustainable advertising business model. Dorsey led Twitter through a period of significant cultural influence—the platform played a central role in global political discourse, social movements, and breaking news—while the company continued to face questions about its financial performance and content moderation policies.

Dorsey's management of both Twitter and Square simultaneously drew criticism from some investors and analysts who questioned whether one individual could effectively lead two publicly traded companies. He stepped down as CEO of Twitter in November 2021, handing the role to Parag Agrawal. Twitter was subsequently acquired by Elon Musk in October 2022.

Bluesky

While still at Twitter, Dorsey initiated and funded the development of Bluesky, an independent project aimed at creating a decentralized protocol for social media. The initiative, announced in 2019, sought to develop an open standard that would allow multiple social media platforms to interoperate, rather than having each platform operate as a closed system. Bluesky was incorporated as an independent public benefit corporation and launched its own social media application, which gained significant user interest following changes at Twitter under its new ownership.[15]

Dorsey's relationship with Bluesky evolved over time, and he eventually distanced himself from the project, expressing disagreements with the direction taken by its leadership team. Nevertheless, the initiative represented a significant contribution to the broader discourse around decentralized social media and the future of online communication platforms.

Block, Inc. and Bitcoin Strategy

In December 2021, Square, Inc. was renamed Block, Inc., reflecting the company's broadened focus beyond payment processing to include blockchain technology and Bitcoin-related services. Under Dorsey's leadership as principal executive officer and chairman, the company made substantial investments in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency infrastructure. Dorsey has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin, describing it as the future of internet-native currency and committing significant corporate resources to Bitcoin development.[16]

At Block's Investor Day in November 2025, a question was posed to Dorsey about whether he might be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, reflecting the level of public association between Dorsey and the cryptocurrency.[17]

Block's Bitcoin-related initiatives have included enabling Bitcoin purchases through Cash App, investing in Bitcoin mining hardware development, and offering Bitcoin payment processing for merchants. In 2026, reports indicated that Block had implemented zero-fee Bitcoin payment acceptance for small businesses, a move aimed at expanding cryptocurrency adoption in everyday commerce.[18]

Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block (2026)

In early 2026, Block, Inc. undertook significant workforce reductions and organizational changes under Dorsey's direction. In February 2026, Reuters reported that Block was considering cutting up to 10 percent of its staff during annual performance reviews.[19] Hundreds of employees were laid off in the weeks that followed, with WIRED reporting on the rolling nature of the layoffs and their effect on remaining staff morale.[20]

Simultaneously, Dorsey mandated aggressive adoption of artificial intelligence tools across the company, directing employees to integrate AI into their workflows. This mandate generated internal backlash, with some employees expressing frustration at the pace and scope of the changes.[21] Futurism reported that the combination of mass layoffs and forced AI adoption had created significant organizational turmoil within the company.[22]

Block was scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings in late February 2026, with analysts monitoring the financial impact of these organizational changes.[23]

Board Service

Beyond his roles at Twitter and Block, Dorsey served on the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company from 2013 to 2018. His appointment to Disney's board was reported by TechCrunch in December 2013.[24] Dorsey and Sheryl Sandberg both departed the Disney board in January 2018.[25]

Dorsey has also served on the board of the Berggruen Institute's governance center, reflecting his interest in governance and civic systems.

Personal Life

Dorsey has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to many technology executives of his profile. He has spoken publicly about his interest in meditation, fasting, and wellness practices. His lifestyle choices, including extended silent meditation retreats and ice bath routines, have attracted media attention.

Dorsey has expressed strong personal and philosophical commitments to Bitcoin and decentralization, themes that have increasingly defined his public identity beyond his roles at specific companies. He has described Bitcoin not merely as a financial instrument but as a tool for individual economic empowerment.

In 2019, Dorsey participated in the #TeamTrees initiative, a collaborative fundraising effort organized by YouTuber MrBeast and the Arbor Day Foundation aimed at planting 20 million trees.[26][27]

Dorsey has also expressed interest in public service. In a 2013 CNN interview, he discussed his desire to potentially run for mayor of New York City, reflecting a long-standing interest in urban planning and civic governance that dates to his childhood fascination with dispatch systems and city infrastructure.[28]

Recognition

Dorsey has received recognition from multiple business and technology publications for his work at Twitter and Square. The San Francisco Business Times named him Executive of the Year in 2011, citing his leadership across both companies.[29]

In 2011, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed Dorsey to a role supporting the city's technology initiatives, reflecting the recognition of his expertise in technology and urban systems.[30]

Dorsey's profile as a technology leader has been shaped by the simultaneous growth of Twitter into one of the world's most influential communication platforms and Square (now Block) into one of the largest financial technology companies. Fortune profiled Dorsey in 2011 under the headline "The Man With Two Brains," documenting the unusual challenge of leading two major technology companies at the same time.[3]

His influence on the technology industry extends beyond his own companies. The microblogging format that Twitter popularized under Dorsey's co-founding vision became a dominant mode of online communication, influencing journalism, politics, marketing, and social discourse. Similarly, Square's mobile payment innovations helped establish the mobile point-of-sale category and contributed to the broader shift toward cashless commerce.

Legacy

Jack Dorsey's career has been defined by the creation of two technology platforms that reshaped their respective industries. Twitter, which he co-founded in 2006, transformed real-time communication and became a central venue for public discourse, breaking news, political debate, and social movements worldwide. The platform's 140-character format (later expanded to 280 characters) influenced how people consume and share information, and its impact on journalism, politics, and culture has been extensively documented.

Square, later renamed Block, democratized access to electronic payment processing by making it possible for small businesses and individual sellers to accept credit card payments through a simple mobile device attachment. The company's subsequent expansion into peer-to-peer payments through Cash App, business lending, and cryptocurrency services broadened its impact on the financial services industry.

Dorsey's founding of the Bluesky project represented an attempt to address criticisms of centralized social media platforms by developing a decentralized protocol for online communication. While Dorsey eventually distanced himself from Bluesky's organizational leadership, the project contributed to a growing movement toward decentralized alternatives to established social media networks.[31]

His advocacy for Bitcoin and decentralized financial systems has positioned him as one of the most prominent figures in the cryptocurrency space. By directing Block's corporate strategy toward Bitcoin integration and investing in mining hardware and payment infrastructure, Dorsey has sought to accelerate the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency in everyday commerce.

Dorsey's leadership style and management decisions have also generated criticism, particularly regarding the layoffs and AI mandates at Block in early 2026, and the circumstances surrounding his original departure from Twitter's CEO role in 2008. His career reflects the complexities of building and leading technology companies at scale, including the tensions between innovation and organizational stability.

References

  1. ↑ "Bluesky | History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features".Britannica Money.2026-02-18.https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ HaynesKevinKevin"Jack Dorsey Faces Employee Backlash After Mass Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block".Inc.com.2026-02-21.https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/jack-dorsey-faces-employee-backlash-after-mass-layoffs-and-ai-mandates-at-block-inc/91306381.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Jack Dorsey: The Man With Two Brains".Fortune.2011-06-02.http://fortune.com/2011/06/02/jack-dorsey-the-man-with-two-brains/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Jack Dorsey on his desire to be mayor of New York City, Steve Jobs, and being a bachelor".CNN.2013-03-21.http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/21/jack-dorsey-on-his-desire-to-be-mayor-of-new-york-city-steve-jobs-and-being-a-bachelor/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey".InformationWeek.2008-06-18.http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/06/twitter_ceo_jac_2.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Twitter's Growing Pains".The New York Times.2008-10-21.https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/technology/start-ups/21twitter.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey steps aside".CNET.2008-10-16.http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10068368-36.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "CHD Office Space: Square, San Francisco's Chronicle Building".California Home + Design.2011-06-30.http://www.californiahomedesign.com/blog/2011/06/30/chd-office-space-square-san-franciscos-chronicle-building.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Square Opens New Headquarters".Square.2013.https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142657/https://squareup.com/news/releases/2013/square-opens-new-headquarters.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Digital 100: Square – $3.2 Billion".Business Insider.2012.http://www.businessinsider.com/2012-digital-100#7-square-32-billion-7.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Dorsey Looks to Simplify Commerce With Square".Women's Wear Daily.2014-01-16.http://www.wwd.com/business-news/technology/dorsey-looks-to-simplify-commerce-with-square-7365024?src=nl/mornReport/20140116.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Executive of the Year: Jack Dorsey".San Francisco Business Times.2011-12-23.http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2011/12/23/executive-of-the-year-jack-dorsey.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "Square files for IPO as CEO Dorsey juggles Twitter revamp".Bloomberg News.2015-10-14.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-14/square-files-for-ipo-as-ceo-dorsey-juggles-twitter-revamp.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Square Ownership: Dorsey's Stake at IPO".Fortune.2015-10-14.http://fortune.com/2015/10/14/square-ownership-dorsey-ipo/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Bluesky | History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features".Britannica Money.2026-02-18.https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "About Square".Square.https://squareup.com/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Jack Dorsey Sparks Debate: Could He Be the Elusive Satoshi Nakamoto?".Investopedia.2026-01-23.https://www.investopedia.com/jack-dorsey-sparks-debate-11880164.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Jack Dorsey's Bitcoin Revolution: Small Businesses Now Accept BTC With ZERO Fees".Binance.2026-02-23.https://www.binance.com/en-NG/square/post/294764551085649.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Dorsey's Block cutting up to 10% of staff, Bloomberg News reports".Reuters.2026-02-07.https://www.reuters.com/business/dorseys-block-cutting-up-10-staff-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-02-07/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "Inside the Rolling Layoffs at Jack Dorsey's Block".WIRED.2026-02-19.https://www.wired.com/story/inside-rolling-layoffs-jack-dorsey-block/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ HaynesKevinKevin"Jack Dorsey Faces Employee Backlash After Mass Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block".Inc.com.2026-02-21.https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/jack-dorsey-faces-employee-backlash-after-mass-layoffs-and-ai-mandates-at-block-inc/91306381.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Jack Dorsey's New Company Falling Apart as It Forces Employees to Use AI".Futurism.2026-02-20.https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/jack-dorsey-block-falling-apart-ai.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Jack Dorsey's Block Gears For Q4 Earnings".Benzinga.2026-02-23.https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/02/50772911/jack-dorseys-block-gears-for-q4-earnings-analyst-expectations-key-technical-signals-price-targets-and-all-you-need-to-know.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Jack Dorsey Joins Disney".TechCrunch.2013-12-23.https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/23/jack-dorsey-joins-disney/?ncid=tcdaily.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Facebook's Sandberg, Twitter's Dorsey to depart Disney board".Bloomberg News.2018-01-13.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-13/facebook-s-sandberg-twitter-s-dorsey-to-depart-disney-board.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "#TeamTrees".TeamTrees.org.https://teamtrees.org/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "MrBeast TeamTrees Announcement".Twitter.2019-10-29.https://twitter.com/MrBeastYT/status/1189348547889643520.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ↑ "Jack Dorsey on his desire to be mayor of New York City, Steve Jobs, and being a bachelor".CNN.2013-03-21.http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/21/jack-dorsey-on-his-desire-to-be-mayor-of-new-york-city-steve-jobs-and-being-a-bachelor/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  29. ↑ "Executive of the Year: Jack Dorsey".San Francisco Business Times.2011-12-23.http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2011/12/23/executive-of-the-year-jack-dorsey.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  30. ↑ "Mayor Bloomberg Announcement".NYC.gov.2011.http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2011a/pr104-11.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  31. ↑ "Bluesky | History, Social Media, Jack Dorsey, & Features".Britannica Money.2026-02-18.https://www.britannica.com/money/Bluesky.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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