**Blockchain Messaging App 'Towns' Launches Amid Privacy Concerns**

Amid rising concerns over privacy and content moderation in social media, a new blockchain-enabled messaging app, Towns, has officially launched today.

- Towns raised $25.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz (A16z) in February 2023.

- Founded by Ben Rubin, co-founder of Houseparty and Meerkat, Towns aims to set a new standard for digital communication using blockchain technology.

- Built on the River protocol, Towns features an Ethereum-compatible layer-2 chain, decentralized nodes, and smart contracts.

- The app promises full data ownership and transparency for users, similar to platforms like Discord or Slack.

- Towns emphasizes end-to-end encryption to enhance privacy and security.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.