Elon Musk says X is getting new XChat with 'Bitcoin style' encryption

Elon Musk's X is getting a new version of XChat with several privacy-oriented features, including what Musk calls 'Bitcoin style' encryption.

If you're wondering what the heck "XChat" is, it's just a new name for the platform’s direct messages feature, which is now turning into something much closer to WhatsApp or Signal.

We heard that the change to X's DMs were coming back in April, with X pausing encrypted DMs last week. But now it's official, with Musk listing some features in a post on X.

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According to Musk, the new XChat will have "Bitcoin style" encryption, and will be built with programming language Rust using a "whole new architecture." Besides encryption, XChat will also have vanishing messages, the ability to send "any kind" of file, and audio as well as video calls.

In comparison, direct messages on X currently let you send media files only, and encrypted messages are available only to subscribers, and come with many drawbacks.

It's unclear what Musk means with "Bitcoin style" encryption. Bitcoin uses several encryption mechanisms, including the Elliptical Curve Digital Signature Algorithm for public/private key generation, and the Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (SHA-256) for transaction verification. But a messaging app would require a system for end-to-end encryption of messages passed between participants, and Bitcoin doesn't really have that.

In any case, XChat appears to already be available to some users as a beta feature. TechCrunch recently reported that it's been rolling out to beta testers, with some X subscribers being able to access it.