Elon Musk Unveils X Chat Messenger with Bitcoin-Style Encryption
Elon Musk is preparing to launch his own encrypted messenger — X Chat — designed to rival Telegram and WhatsApp. The billionaire says the platform will use “Bitcoin-like encryption” and never sell user data to advertisers.
A messenger born inside the X ecosystem
Speaking on *The Joe Rogan Experience* podcast, Musk revealed that his team has completely rebuilt the messaging infrastructure of the X platform to create an independent application called X Chat.
“We’re using a peer-to-peer encryption system similar to Bitcoin’s,” Musk said. “It’s extremely secure encryption that we’ve been testing carefully.”
According to Musk, the system will rely on a distributed encryption model inspired by the architecture of blockchain networks. Messages will be encrypted end-to-end, making it impossible even for X to read user communications. The company will also eliminate targeted advertising based on private data, positioning X Chat as a truly privacy-first alternative to mainstream messengers.
Privacy and decentralization as core principles
The move reflects Musk’s growing interest in blockchain-based communication and digital sovereignty. He has previously criticized major platforms for intrusive tracking, centralized storage, and surveillance-driven monetization.
By applying peer-to-peer cryptography similar to that used in Bitcoin transactions, X Chat aims to combine user control with high-performance scalability. Each chat session will be protected by unique cryptographic keys generated on users’ devices, ensuring that no single authority can intercept or decrypt the messages.
Musk also hinted that the messenger could later integrate payment functions powered by digital assets — potentially positioning X Chat as a core component of the “everything app” vision for X (formerly Twitter).
The competitive landscape
The launch of X Chat would place Musk in direct competition with major players such as Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp, each of which already uses variations of end-to-end encryption. However, Musk’s emphasis on open cryptographic verification and blockchain-grade security could appeal to a growing user base seeking transparency and decentralization.
Analysts note that Musk’s brand power and existing X user ecosystem give him a strong entry advantage. Integrating a messenger with existing X profiles could provide frictionless onboarding for hundreds of millions of users worldwide.
Challenges ahead
Despite the bold promises, experts warn that developing a fully peer-to-peer encrypted messaging architecture at scale presents major technical and regulatory hurdles. Governments have increasingly pushed for “lawful access” backdoors in encrypted services — a requirement that could directly conflict with Musk’s Bitcoin-like approach.
Moreover, sustaining a privacy-driven business model without data monetization will demand innovative revenue strategies — potentially through subscriptions, premium features, or integration with X’s future financial ecosystem.
Conclusion
With X Chat, Elon Musk is attempting to merge cryptographic privacy with mainstream communication — redefining how messaging apps handle user trust and data ownership.
If successful, the platform could establish a new gold standard for encrypted communication — one rooted in the same decentralized principles that made Bitcoin a global phenomenon.
Editorial Team — CoinBotLab