Bluesky has released its “Live Now” badge to all users following a limited beta test. The feature is part of the platform’s v1.114 update, which also introduces cashtags for discussions about publicly-traded companies.
Bluesky began testing the Live Now badge in May 2025 with a small group of accounts, including the official NBA account. The badge allows Twitch streamers who have Bluesky profiles to add a Live Now icon to their profile picture. This icon links directly to the streamer’s current livestream.
For now, Live Now badges support only Twitch links. Bluesky stated that “support for other streaming platforms may follow” based on feedback from the beta.
The update contrasts with competitor X, which has previously restricted users from posting links to other social platforms. Bluesky emphasizes openness by enabling such links.
Cashtags, originally a feature of Twitter before Elon Musk’s acquisition, function like hashtags to group posts about specific companies. Users create a cashtag by typing a dollar sign followed by a stock symbol, such as $AAPL for Apple. Tapping the cashtag links to other posts using the same tag, aiding searches for related conversations.
Bluesky’s cultural focus has differed from X’s business orientation so far, but cashtags provide the option for users interested in stock discussions.
