Elon Musk announced the rollout of a new version of X’s direct messaging feature, XChat, which introduces capabilities such as vanishing messages, encryption, file sharing, and support for audio and video calls. These features are available only to a limited group of beta testers. Still, Musk indicated that the X team aims to make XChat accessible to all users within the week, provided no scaling issues arise during deployment.
Musk revealed that the updated XChat is built using Rust and employs what he described as “Bitcoin-style” encryption within an entirely new architectural framework. However, this description has sparked debate, as Bitcoin itself does not use encryption per se but instead relies on public key cryptography and digital signatures for security. It remains unclear whether Musk’s choice of terminology is marketing-driven, a misunderstanding of encryption principles, or a misstatement intending to refer to cryptography instead.
Rollout Timeline: When Will XChat Be Available to Everyone?
XChat is currently in beta testing and is available only to a select group of users. Musk confirmed on X that the platform intends to expand access to all users within the week, assuming no significant scaling challenges arise during the rollout.
This phased approach allows X’s engineering team to monitor performance and address any issues before making the feature universally accessible. While Musk’s App timeline is ambitious, it reflects the platform’s desire to quickly integrate XChat as a core part of the user experience.
Musk has previously expressed ambitions for X’s direct messaging to rival established encrypted messaging platforms such as Signal and iMessage. Yet, labeling XChat’s security as “Bitcoin-style encryption” raises questions about its ability to truly compete in this space. Musk highlighted that XChat now enables users to make audio and video calls across all platforms without requiring a phone number.
The Architecture Behind XChat: Built on Rust with “Bitcoin-Style” Encryption
One of the most intriguing aspects of Musk’s announcement was the claim that XChat is built on Rust, a programming language known for its safety and performance, and that it employs “Bitcoin-style” encryption. Rust’s usage indicates a focus on speed, security, and reliability critical factors for real-time messaging. However, the phrase “Bitcoin-style encryption” is confused.
Bitcoin itself does not use encryption in the traditional sense; instead, it relies on public key cryptography and digital signatures to secure transactions. Experts have questioned whether Musk is using the term “encryption” loosely or if he intended to reference cryptography, which is broader and includes the cryptographic methods Bitcoin utilizes. This ambiguity has led some to question whether the security claims surrounding XChat are accurate or merely marketing language.
Ahead of XChat’s full rollout, X paused development on its existing encrypted direct messaging system, signaling that the new service is set to replace the older one. Despite these advancements, X has recently experienced notable instability, with several outages disrupting user access to timelines and features, including XChat, over the past week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is XChat?
XChat is the new direct messaging feature on the X platform (formerly Twitter), offering enhanced functionalities such as vanishing messages, file sharing, encryption, and audio/video calls, all without requiring phone numbers.
When will XChat be available to all users?
Elon Musk announced that XChat is expected to roll out to all users within the week, depending on how smoothly the platform can scale during the rollout process.
What does “Bitcoin-style encryption” mean in the context of XChat?
Musk described XChat’s encryption as “Bitcoin-style,” which has confused. Bitcoin uses public-key cryptography and digital signatures rather than traditional encryption. It’s unclear whether Musk intended to say “cryptography” or used the term for marketing purposes.
Is XChat genuinely secure and encrypted like Signal or iMessage?
While Musk has expressed ambitions for XChat to rival encrypted platforms, independent security audits and more technical details are needed to confirm if XChat offers actual end-to-end encryption comparable to Signal or iMessage.
Can users make audio and video calls on XChat without a phone number?
Yes, one of XChat’s new features allows users to make audio and video calls across devices without requiring a linked phone number.
Will XChat replace the existing encrypted direct messaging system on X?
Yes, X has paused work on its older encrypted DM system in preparation for XChat to replace it as the primary messaging service.
Conclusion
Elon Musk confirmation that XChat will soon be available to all X users is an exciting development in the evolution of digital communication on the platform. The feature-rich upgrade promises modern messaging tools designed to compete with industry leaders. Yet, the ambiguity around the security architecture and recent platform instability serve as reminders to temper expectations. Users and industry watchers alike will closely monitor how XChat performs post-launch, particularly regarding privacy and security.