XChat launches on X, is “Bitcoin-style” and has a high level of privacy

Elon Musk’s vision for X as an “everything app” has taken another step forward with the launch of XChat, a messaging feature now available to users of the platform formerly known as Twitter. Designed with privacy in mind, XChat boasts encryption that Musk himself describes as “Bitcoin-style”, along with vanishing messages, file sharing, and audio or video calls. While it may appear like a major leap forward in privacy-focused communications, questions remain about just how secure and transparent this service really is.

What XChat Offers and How It Works

XChat enters the scene with a host of features designed to compete with leading messaging platforms, offering a sleek experience wrapped in the familiar interface of X. Users can send regular text messages, audio and video clips, documents, and other files with ease. In an era where data privacy is increasingly under scrutiny, these additions seem well-timed.

The platform also includes options to make encrypted voice and video calls across devices, including mobile phones and desktop computers. Notably, you don’t need to share your phone number to make a call. Instead, your X handle serves as your digital identity, functioning like a username in a decentralised network.

Perhaps the most widely discussed feature is the optional “vanishing messages” setting, where conversations can automatically disappear after a specified time. This may appeal to users who prefer more transient digital footprints, mirroring the kind of temporary exchanges made popular by apps like Signal or Telegram.

But it’s the “Bitcoin-style encryption” label that has raised both interest and eyebrows. While the term implies a decentralised and mathematically secure protocol, the actual implementation of this encryption hasn’t been clearly outlined. The lack of technical documentation or any verifiable whitepaper leaves a gap in public understanding. Is this truly end-to-end encryption? Does it follow known cryptographic standards? These are questions yet to be fully addressed.

Compounding the uncertainty is the fact that encryption isn’t active by default. Users must manually enable it, and even then, Elon Musk has openly admitted that the feature is still “a bit clunky” in its current state. For those expecting seamless, ironclad security, this could be a red flag.

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Privacy, Metadata, and User Trust

While XChat’s surface-level features feel modern and efficient, privacy experts are already voicing concerns. Messaging apps with true end-to-end encryption usually ensure that not just message content but also metadata—such as timestamps and recipient identities—are concealed or minimised. XChat doesn’t seem to offer that kind of protection at this stage.

Another area worth highlighting is the platform’s data policy. X recently updated its terms to include permissions for collecting biometric data, job history, and other personal information. When this level of data collection is paired with a chat feature, it raises legitimate questions about how much of your digital identity is actually private.

Additionally, the introduction of audio and video calling opens new vectors for exploitation. Scam calls, phishing, and voice impersonation are known risks on any platform, and without robust safeguards or moderation tools, XChat could become a tool for bad actors rather than a shield for genuine users.

The lack of clarity in the underlying technology further complicates things. In the cryptocurrency space, transparency is a key pillar. Most blockchain-based products publish detailed whitepapers explaining their architecture and security protocols. At the time of writing, no such whitepaper for XChat is publicly available. That absence casts a shadow over its promises, especially for those familiar with how critical transparency is in crypto and decentralised tech.

Is XChat a Crypto-Inspired Innovation or Just a Buzzword?

There’s no denying that Elon Musk’s projects often blend ambition with disruptive ideas. XChat feels like another step in that direction, tying together themes of privacy, identity, and decentralised communication. But calling it “Bitcoin-style” encryption sets a high bar—and it’s not yet clear whether XChat can meet it.

Bitcoin, for all its complexities, is built on auditable, verifiable, and open-source cryptographic principles. It uses decentralisation to prevent single points of failure, something that can’t be said for a centralised platform like X, at least not without clear proof. Unless XChat follows a similar model—where users retain ownership of their data, and encryption is mathematically secure and independently verifiable—it risks being seen as a marketing term rather than a technical benchmark.

That said, XChat could evolve into something more sophisticated. It’s early days, and Musk is known for iterating publicly. Still, users considering the service—particularly those involved in sensitive conversations or interested in crypto-style privacy—should be cautious. Relying on a platform without fully understanding its security model is risky.

A final note: until there is clearer documentation, including a transparent and accessible whitepaper, it is not advisable to treat XChat as a fully secure messaging tool. For now, think of it as an early experiment, one that may yet grow into something useful, but not one to entrust with confidential communications just yet.

Read Also: Elon Musk Leaves DOGE Mission and Trump Role: What Just Happened?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is XChat’s encryption secure like Bitcoin?

Not entirely. While the term “Bitcoin-style” is used, there’s no public whitepaper or verifiable explanation of the encryption, so it’s unclear how secure it actually is.

Are calls and messages encrypted by default in XChat?

No. Users must manually activate encryption. It is not turned on automatically, which may expose data to certain risks.

Is XChat suitable for private or sensitive communication?

At this stage, no. Without a public technical document and with uncertain security features, users should avoid using XChat for confidential exchanges.