ISIS Now Uses Blockchain To Spread Propaganda, Utilizes BCM Messenger's 'Supergroups'

The use of blockchain isn't limited to serving companies and organizations that benefit from the distributed digital ledger. Nefarious activities stem out of blockchain because of the technology's inherent capability to mask the identities of those behind transactions.

While terror funding and cryptocurrencies are nothing new since terror groups are increasingly turning to digital assets amid traditional channels being blockaded by sanctions, ISIS is reported to have been taking more careful measures to secure the confidentiality in spreading their propaganda.

According to VICE, the terrorist group is leveraging a blockchain messaging app called BCM, which stands for "Because Communication Matters," to get their message across their network of supporters. The app sits perfectly in accommodating the needs of the terrorist organization as it boasts the capability of creating supergroups that could hold up to 100,000 users.

Aside from this, BCM's end-to-end encryption on group chats would mean that no one in the server can access the messages. And it makes sense for ISIS to take an alternate route from using Telegram, especially since the cloud-based instant messaging app is clamping down on terror-related content.

And to suit the needs of funding -- which almost makes it seem like the app was custom-fitted for ISIS -- BCM also has a built-in cryptocurrency wallet.

But BCM has taken steps in preventing such propaganda from infecting its platform and has banned the service from certain countries.

"First and foremost, we would like to emphasize that our team does not support nor participate in any form of terrorism and extremism. We believe that freedom of communication is a basic human right. The very fundamental intention of our team when developing this product is to protect the freedom and security of communication," a BCM spokesperson told Coin Telegraph.

ISIS isn't the only terror organization that is transitioning to a more tech-oriented means of financing. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, is seeing the benefits of getting funds using the world's leading crypto, Bitcoin.

"The terrorists are learning how to send and receive digital currency in a smarter way," Itsik Levy, the chief executive of Whitestream, the Israeli intelligence firm tracking Bitcoin transactions, told the New York Times. "Why would terrorists not take advantage of this? It is great for them."