Primal: Social Media with Bitcoin Tipping
Primal is a social media app that lets you tip (zap) other users with bitcoin!
How does Primal work and why should you join?
Primal is a social Bitcoin wallet.
If you like somebody's content, you can tip them Bitcoin micropayments through the Lightning Network.
Or monetize your own content.
You can also use it as a custodial Lightning wallet to pay for small purchases in bitcoin.
Primal Is a Nostr Client
Primal uses the Nostr protocol as its social graph.
Nostr is an open protocol for decentralized and censorship-resistant social media.
If you're new to Nostr, learn more about it here: #558629
Since Primal is only a client to access the Nostr protocol, it can only censor free speech or deplatform users on the Primal app, but not on Nostr.
Also, if you stop using Primal as your Nostr client, you can import all your followers, posts, etc. to a new client.
Primal Feels Like Twitter (X)!
Primal's feed feels very familiar to other social media platforms, especially X (Twitter).
You can follow people, like their posts, repost etc.
It's not only for Bitcoin-related discussion: you can search for different hashtags and find your tribe, e.g. photography etc.
Primal works for iOS, Android and desktop.
On desktop, the "Explore" function is even more detailed.
Earn Bitcoin for Your Content!
By clicking the lightning bolt symbol on the feed, you can tip (zap) other users bitcoin.
You can also browse through your contacts and zap them.
Nostr is a great directory for Lightning payments!
If you hold the bolt symbol a bit longer, you can specify the zap amount if you want.
You can set your default zap amount in settings.
To set up a Lightning wallet with Primal, the app asks for your name, email address and the country of residence.
But as far as I know, you can use a nym and a throwaway email etc.
No need to upload any identity documents.
The maximum balance you can hold on the Primal wallet is 1 million sats, or 0.01 BTC.
The purpose of the wallet is not for long-term savings, but to onboard people to Nostr and to get familiarized with the culture of zapping.
To get your first sats on the Primal wallet, you can receive bitcoin on Lightning or on-chain.
Alternatively, you can buy sats on Primal with Apple Pay or Google Pay with your credit card (max. about $5 worth).
Or just start creating and receive zaps from other users.
Take Care of Your "nsec"!
Your "nsec" is your private key to your Primal (and Nostr account).
Don't share it with anyone!
Primal creates an nsec for you upon account creation, or you can import your own.
Primal is open-source, but it is not always a good practice to import private keys to any apps.
If you don't want to import the private keys you already have to Primal, you can use e.g. Amber, a Nostr signer extension app for Android.
It's advisable to store your nsec in e.g. a password manager.
If you use Primal on desktop, you can use e.g. Alby @Alby, as a Nostr signer extension, zapping wallet and a place to store your nsec.
Learn more about Alby here.
You can also use another Nostr signer extensions on desktop, e.g. Nos2x, but they often have no wallet functions for zapping or receiving zaps.
They work only for posting, liking, replying, reposts etc.
Convenient, but With Privacy Trade-Offs
You can send direct messages to other Primal users, but you should know that while the content of the direct messages is encrypted (visible only to you and your contact), the message metadata is public for all to see (who you're sending messages to, when, how often etc.)
Primal can be used as a global international "Venmo" during dinner parties.
No more head-scratching when trying to split the bill!
Not the most private way to do it though, but it's convenient!
Let's connect on Nostr!
You can find me here.