Elon Musk has launched a new messaging feature called “XCHAT” designed to provide users with secure, encrypted communications while extending the platform’s capabilities beyond social networks.
XCHAT is disabled following encrypted messaging
In a post on X on June 1, Musk announced that XCHAT includes end-to-end encrypted messages, disappearing messages, audio and video calls, and file sharing – all of which do not require users to link their phone numbers.
“You can now send encrypted DMS with Bitcoin-style encryption, make video/audio calls, send money and share files on XCHAT,” Musk wrote. He further revealed that the new feature was built using the Rust programming language and supported by a “new architecture.”
Source: X
The quote to “Bitcoin-style encryption” has attracted the attention of the crypto community. Some experts, including Bitcoin core developer Luke Dashjr, will soon clarify that Bitcoin itself does not use traditional crypto for transactions. Instead, the term may refer to a method such as BIP-151, which proposes encrypted peer-to-peer communication between Bitcoin nodes.
XCHAT’s release comes after a brief deactivation of X’s previous encrypted messaging feature on May 29, which was temporarily cancelled for improvement. Musk had promised that encrypted messaging would return in a more robust form, and Xchat seemed to be the result.
Xchat is currently being launched to paid subscribers on a limited basis. According to screenshots and reports from early users, encrypted messages are protected by a 4-digit password. The app does not rely on phone numbers or centralized identifiers, aligned with Musk’s ambitions to improve privacy and decentralize.
Vision towards super application
The launch is part of Musk’s broader plan that turns X into an all-in-one super app similar to China’s WeChat. In addition to Xchat, Musk has announced an upcoming payment feature called “X Money” that is expected to be beta testing later this year.
“Extreme care is needed during the testing process, especially when it comes to people’s money or savings,” Musk noted in another article.
With encrypted messaging, social media integration and financial services all come together in a single ecosystem, X is positioning to challenge messaging applications like Telegram and Signal, as well as fintech platforms like Venmo and Cash App.
Industry analysts see Xchat as a long-term goal towards Musk’s long-term goal, to turn X into a major force in global digital infrastructure. Whether users will accept the new features and believe Musk’s commitment to privacy and encryption remains to be seen.
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