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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 of the most consequential technology companies of the early 21st century: [[Twitter]], the social media platform that redefined public discourse and real-time communication, and [[Block, Inc.]] (formerly Square, Inc.), the financial services and digital payments company. Dorsey served as [[chief executive officer]] of Twitter from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2015 to 2021, while simultaneously leading Square (later Block) as its principal executive officer and chairman.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Square |url=https://squareup.com/about#board |publisher=Square |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He is also the founder of [[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 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Dorsey displayed an early interest in the intersection of software and urban infrastructure, interests that would inform both of his major ventures. His career trajectory—from a college dropout tinkering with dispatch routing software to the head of two publicly traded companies—has made him one of the most prominent figures in American technology and finance. In recent years, Dorsey has become a vocal advocate for [[Bitcoin]] and decentralized technologies, guiding Block's strategic direction toward cryptocurrency integration and open-source protocols.
'''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]]. From a young age, Dorsey exhibited a fascination with cities, maps, and the movement of vehicles through urban environments. This interest led him to explore dispatch routing software and the logistics of real-time communication, subjects that would prove foundational to his later entrepreneurial pursuits.
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>


Growing up in St. Louis, Dorsey was drawn to computers and programming during his adolescence. He became interested in the technical systems underlying emergency dispatch services, and by the time he was a teenager, he had begun writing dispatch software. His early work in this area attracted attention in the nascent open-source software community. Dorsey's curiosity about how cities functioned—the patterns of taxis, emergency vehicles, and couriers—would later converge with his interest in short-form, real-time messaging to produce the concept behind Twitter.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Jack Dorsey: The Man With Two Brains |url=http://fortune.com/2011/06/02/jack-dorsey-the-man-with-two-brains/ |work=Fortune |date=2011-06-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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" />


Dorsey's background in St. Louis, a city with a complex economic and social landscape, also influenced his later interest in financial technology and enabling small businesses to accept electronic payments—a motivation that would drive the creation of Square.
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 ==
== Education ==


Dorsey attended the [[Missouri University of Science and Technology]] (then known as the University of Missouri–Rolla) before transferring to [[New York University]]. He did not complete a degree at either institution, opting instead to pursue his technology interests in the professional world. While in New York, Dorsey continued to develop dispatch-related software and became immersed in the city's technology scene, which would later inspire both his aspiration to play a public role in urban life and his work on real-time communication platforms.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2013-03-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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 ===
 
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 (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 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>
 
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.


Dorsey co-founded Twitter in 2006 alongside [[Evan Williams (Internet entrepreneur)|Evan Williams]], [[Biz Stone]], and [[Noah Glass]]. The platform, which allowed users to post short messages of 140 characters (later expanded to 280), grew rapidly and became a central tool for public communication, news dissemination, and political discourse around the world. Dorsey is credited with proposing the original concept for the service, drawing on his longstanding interest in status updates and real-time dispatch communication.
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" />


Dorsey served as CEO of Twitter from 2007 to 2008. During this initial period, the company was still in its early stages, and Dorsey focused on product development and user growth. However, in 2008, Dorsey was moved from the CEO role to chairman of the board, amid reports of internal disagreements about the company's direction and operational management.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey |url=http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/06/twitter_ceo_jac_2.html |work=InformationWeek |date=2008-06-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Why Twitter's C.E.O. Demoted Himself |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/technology/start-ups/21twitter.html |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The leadership transition was later described as a period of significant internal tension at the company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twitter CEO |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10068368-36.html |work=CNET |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>


In 2015, Dorsey returned as CEO of Twitter, succeeding interim CEO [[Dick Costolo]]. His second tenure was marked by efforts to address long-standing challenges including user growth stagnation, content moderation policies, and the platform's financial performance. Dorsey held the CEO position at Twitter concurrently with his role at Square, a dual arrangement that attracted both praise for his entrepreneurial capacity and criticism from investors and commentators who questioned whether one individual could effectively lead two publicly traded companies simultaneously.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2015-10-14 |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>


Dorsey stepped down as CEO of Twitter in November 2021, handing the role to [[Parag Agrawal]]. Twitter was subsequently acquired by [[Elon Musk]] in 2022.
=== Square's IPO and Growth ===


=== Bluesky ===
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>
 
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.
 
=== 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.


In addition to his work at Twitter, Dorsey founded [[Bluesky]], an initiative to develop a decentralized social media protocol. The project, which began while Dorsey was still at Twitter, aimed to create an open standard for social networking that would not be controlled by any single corporation. Bluesky launched as an independent social media application, allowing users to post short messages of up to 300 characters in a format similar to Twitter's microblogging model.<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> The project reflected Dorsey's growing interest in decentralization and open-source protocol development, themes that also informed his work at Block.
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.


=== Square and Block, Inc. ===
=== Bluesky ===


Dorsey co-founded Square, Inc. in 2009, alongside [[Jim McKelvey]]. The company was conceived as a way to enable small businesses and individual merchants to accept credit card payments using a small card reader attached to a smartphone or tablet. The idea reportedly originated after McKelvey was unable to complete a sale of his glass artwork because he could not accept credit cards. Square's solution addressed a significant gap in the payments market, particularly for small merchants and mobile vendors who had previously been excluded from electronic payment processing.
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>


Square's early headquarters were located in San Francisco, California. The company initially operated out of space in the city's historic [[Chronicle Building]] before opening new headquarters in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Square Opens New Headquarters |url=https://squareup.com/news/releases/2013/square-opens-new-headquarters |publisher=Square |date=2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><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>
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.


The company grew rapidly, expanding from its flagship card reader product into a broader ecosystem of financial services, including point-of-sale systems, small business lending, payroll services, and peer-to-peer payment application [[Cash App]]. By 2012, Square was ranked among the top digital companies by ''[[Business Insider]]''.<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>
=== Block, Inc. and Bitcoin Strategy ===


Square filed for its [[initial public offering]] (IPO) in October 2015, during the same period that Dorsey was resuming the CEO role at Twitter. The IPO filing drew attention to Dorsey's dual leadership positions and to questions about Square's ownership structure and valuation.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2015-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Square Ownership: Dorsey IPO |url=http://fortune.com/2015/10/14/square-ownership-dorsey-ipo/ |work=Fortune |date=2015-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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>


In late 2021, Square, Inc. was renamed '''Block, Inc.''', reflecting the company's broadened focus beyond payment processing to include blockchain technology, [[Bitcoin]] mining, and decentralized financial services. Dorsey, who had become an outspoken proponent of Bitcoin, positioned Block as a company at the intersection of traditional financial services and cryptocurrency. The company trades on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] under the ticker symbol XYZ.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2026-02-23 |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>


Under Dorsey's leadership, Block has pursued initiatives in Bitcoin adoption, including enabling small businesses to accept Bitcoin payments. In February 2026, reports indicated that Block was facilitating Bitcoin acceptance for small businesses with zero transaction fees, a move aimed at expanding cryptocurrency use 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>
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 has also faced scrutiny over his interest in Bitcoin. During Block's Investor Day in November 2025, a question was raised about whether Dorsey could be [[Satoshi Nakamoto]], the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin—a claim that Dorsey has not confirmed and that remains the subject of speculation rather than established fact.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Dorsey Sparks Debate: Could He Be the Elusive Satoshi Nakamoto? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/jack-dorsey-sparks-debate-11880164 |work=Investopedia |date=2026-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Layoffs and AI Mandates at Block (2026) ===


=== Workforce Reductions and AI Strategy 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.<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>


In early 2026, Block undertook significant workforce reductions. In February, reports indicated that the company was cutting up to 10% of its staff as part of annual performance reviews.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |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> The layoffs affected hundreds of employees and were followed by what reporting described as "rolling layoffs" that continued over subsequent weeks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside the Rolling Layoffs at Jack Dorsey's Block |url=https://www.wired.com/story/inside-rolling-layoffs-jack-dorsey-block/ |work=WIRED |date=2026-02-19 |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>


Simultaneously, Dorsey pushed an aggressive mandate for the adoption of [[artificial intelligence]] tools within the company. Employees were reportedly required to integrate AI into their workflows, a directive that generated internal dissatisfaction. Reports from ''Inc.'' and ''Futurism'' described employee backlash in response to the combination of mass layoffs and AI mandates, with some workers expressing concern about job security and the pace of organizational change.<ref>{{cite news |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. |date=2026-02-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2026-02-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The situation drew media attention and raised questions about Dorsey's management approach and the future direction of Block.
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>


=== Board Memberships ===
=== Board Service ===


In December 2013, Dorsey was appointed to the board of directors of [[The Walt Disney Company]], one of the youngest directors in Disney's history at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Dorsey Joins Disney |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/23/jack-dorsey-joins-disney/?ncid=tcdaily |work=TechCrunch |date=2013-12-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He served on the Disney board until January 2018, when he departed along with [[Sheryl Sandberg]] of Facebook.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2018-01-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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 has also served on the board of the [[Berggruen Institute]]'s governance center, reflecting his interest in issues related to governance, technology, and public policy.
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 has spoken publicly about his interest in becoming involved in public life beyond technology. In a 2013 interview with CNN, he discussed his desire to potentially pursue a role such as [[Mayor of New York City]], an ambition that reflected his longstanding fascination with urban systems and civic governance.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2013-03-21 |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 is known for his interest in wellness practices, including meditation and fasting, which have been the subject of media coverage. He has cited [[Steve Jobs]] as an influence on his approach to product design and business leadership.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2013-03-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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 was among the supporters of [[#TeamTrees]], a charitable campaign organized by YouTube creator [[MrBeast]] that aimed to plant 20 million trees. The initiative raised significant funds from technology industry figures and the general public.<ref>{{cite web |title=TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |publisher=TeamTrees |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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 been a prominent advocate for Bitcoin and has stated that he believes it has the potential to become the internet's native currency. This conviction has shaped his leadership at Block and his public commentary on the future of finance and technology.
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 ==


Dorsey has received recognition from multiple business and technology publications for his entrepreneurial work. In 2011, the ''[[San Francisco Business Times]]'' named him Executive of the Year, citing his dual leadership of Twitter and Square and his impact on the San Francisco technology ecosystem.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2011-12-23 |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>


That same year, the [[New York City]] Mayor's office acknowledged Dorsey's contributions to the technology sector in a public statement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor's Press Release |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2011a/pr104-11.html |publisher=City of New York |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'' profiled Dorsey in 2011 under the headline "The Man With Two Brains," highlighting the unusual nature of his simultaneous leadership of two major technology companies and his ability to conceptualize products across the distinct domains of social media and financial technology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Dorsey: The Man With Two Brains |url=http://fortune.com/2011/06/02/jack-dorsey-the-man-with-two-brains/ |work=Fortune |date=2011-06-02 |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 appointment to the Disney board in 2013 was itself considered a mark of his standing in the business world, given that Disney's board has historically included prominent business leaders and public figures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Dorsey Joins Disney |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/23/jack-dorsey-joins-disney/?ncid=tcdaily |work=TechCrunch |date=2013-12-23 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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.


In the fashion and design world, ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' profiled Dorsey's work at Square, noting his focus on simplifying commerce and his design-centric approach to financial technology products.<ref>{{cite news |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 |date=2014-01-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
== Legacy ==


== 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.


Jack Dorsey's impact on the technology industry rests on two central contributions: the creation of a real-time, public, short-form messaging platform in Twitter, and the democratization of electronic payment acceptance through Square. Twitter, for all the controversies that later surrounded it, fundamentally altered how news was disseminated, how public figures communicated with audiences, and how protest movements organized. The platform's role in events ranging from the [[Arab Spring]] to U.S. presidential elections cemented its place in the history of digital communication.
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.


Square, and its successor Block, addressed a practical economic problem—the exclusion of small merchants from electronic payments—and built a financial services ecosystem that expanded to include lending, payroll, and peer-to-peer transfers through Cash App. The company's pivot toward Bitcoin and blockchain under Dorsey's leadership represented a bet on decentralized finance that continued to shape its trajectory into 2026.
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>


Dorsey's founding of Bluesky reflected a philosophical evolution in his thinking about social media, moving from the centralized model of Twitter toward a decentralized protocol that aimed to give users more control over their data and online interactions.<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>
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.


His career has also illustrated tensions inherent in technology leadership: the challenges of managing dual CEO roles, the friction between corporate restructuring and employee morale, and the difficulty of balancing innovation-driven mandates—such as the aggressive adoption of AI at Block—with organizational stability.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside the Rolling Layoffs at Jack Dorsey's Block |url=https://www.wired.com/story/inside-rolling-layoffs-jack-dorsey-block/ |work=WIRED |date=2026-02-19 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As of early 2026, Dorsey remained at the helm of Block, navigating a period of significant organizational change while continuing to advocate for Bitcoin adoption and decentralized technologies.
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 ==
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[[Category:American technology executives]]
[[Category:American technology executives]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:New York University alumni]]
[[Category:Missouri University of Science and Technology alumni]]
[[Category:Bitcoin advocates]]
[[Category:Bitcoin advocates]]
 
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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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