Elon Musk reveals new XChat adopts Bitcoin-style encryption

Key Takeaways

• Elon Musk announced XChat, a direct messaging feature using Bitcoin-style encryption and built with Rust.
• XChat includes vanishing messages and supports cross-platform audio/video calls without phone numbers.

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XChat, a new direct messaging (DM) feature being rolled out on Elon Musk’s platform X, is built on Rust and adopts Bitcoin-style encryption as part of an overhaul of the messaging system, Musk said in a post on X on Sunday.

Musk said that XChat’s technical infrastructure has been completely rebuilt using Rust, a programming language known for its speed and memory safety. The new architecture implements encryption methods similar to those used in Bitcoin’s protocol.

The revamped messaging platform is introducing several new features, including vanishing messages and the capability to transfer any file type, according to Musk. Users can make audio and video calls across different platforms without requiring a phone number.

X announced on May 28 that it was pausing development on its previous encrypted DM system, a limited feature that had been available to paid subscribers for the past two years.

The rollout is in its early phases, with limited access currently available to select users. The timing suggests that XChat is intended to fully replace the old system, with a more comprehensive and privacy-focused architecture.

Musk also confirmed this week that X Money, a digital wallet service under X designed for peer-to-peer payments, will launch soon. The feature is being developed in partnership with Visa, with the goal of enabling users to link their debit cards to their digital wallets.

This initial rollout will be highly restricted, emphasizing safety when involving personal savings, Musk stated.

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