Bluesky Rolls Out Cashtags and LIVE Badges Amid a Boost in App Installs

Bluesky rolls out cashtags for stocks and Twitch LIVE badges amid a 50% spike in U.S. app installs following X’s AI controversy.
Matilda
Bluesky Rolls Out Cashtags and LIVE Badges Amid a Boost in App Installs
Bluesky Adds Cashtags and LIVE Badges as Downloads Surge What’s new on Bluesky in 2026? The decentralized social network is rolling out two major features—cashtags for stock discussions and LIVE badges for Twitch streamers—just as it experiences a sharp rise in user growth. The timing isn’t coincidental: Bluesky’s U.S. app downloads jumped nearly 50% after a wave of backlash against X (formerly Twitter) over its AI-generated deepfake scandal. Users seeking a safer, more transparent alternative are turning to Bluesky in droves—and the platform is responding with tools that cater to both investors and creators. Credit: Jaque Silva/NurPhoto/ Getty Images Why Bluesky’s User Base Is Growing Fast The surge began shortly after reports surfaced that X’s AI assistant, Grok, was being used to generate nonconsensual, sexualized deepfakes of real people—including minors—from uploaded photos. The controversy sparked public outrage and prompted California’s attorney general to launch an investigation i…