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Musk announced a new XChat messaging app with encryption and vanishing texts.
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He claimed it uses "Bitcoin-style" encryption and Rust architecture.
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Experts pointed out that Bitcoin does not use encryption for messaging.
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The announcement follows a broader push to turn X into a super app.
Musk Announces XChat With Bold Claims
Elon Musk unveiled a new encrypted messaging feature called XChat, promising vanishing messages, file transfers, and secure voice/video calls. Built in Rust, it’s being marketed with “Bitcoin-style” encryption — a phrase that drew immediate criticism from cryptography experts.
Pushback From Bitcoin Developers
Developers were quick to note that Bitcoin doesn’t use encryption for communication. “Bitcoin doesn’t even use encryption,” wrote OCEAN CTO Luke Dashjr, echoing sentiments shared by others, including JAN3 CEO Samson Mow.
Bitcoin relies on elliptic curve cryptography and SHA-256 hashing for validation and key generation, not for message confidentiality, making Musk’s terminology technically inaccurate.
Part of a Larger Vision for X
The announcement comes on the heels of other major Musk initiatives. X recently soft-launched a digital wallet called “X Money,” and Musk continues to push toward turning X into a multi-functional app. He also recently stepped down from his position at the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
No Details, No Docs (Yet)
Despite the hype, X has released no technical documentation explaining how XChat works or how its encryption model functions. Industry experts remain skeptical, but intrigued, as Musk continues to use bold branding to push X deeper into fintech and social utility.
