X is beginning a broader rollout of XChat, a new version of its direct messaging platform, promising a suite of modern communication tools – ranging from vanishing messages to file sharing, audio and video calls, and what Elon Musk calls “Bitcoin-style” encryption.
In posts over the weekend, Musk announced that XChat is built on Rust and features a completely redesigned architecture. He added that the service supports calling across platforms without requiring a phone number. The rollout is expected to reach all users this week, pending any scaling issues, though the product is currently only available to a limited set of beta testers.
However, Musk’s characterization of XChat’s encryption has raised questions. His description of the service as having “Bitcoin-style” encryption is drawing scrutiny, as Bitcoin does not use encryption in the conventional sense. Instead, it relies on public key cryptography and digital signatures. Security experts and observers are questioning whether Musk meant “cryptography” rather than encryption, or if the phrase was simply used for branding effect.
X has long positioned its messaging ambitions as a challenge to apps like Signal or iMessage, which offer end-to-end encryption by default. But the ambiguity around XChat’s security model is fueling skepticism over whether it can meet the same standards. Adding to concerns, X has experienced multiple service outages in recent days, affecting user access to timelines and messaging features – including XChat – although these outages were reported to simply be a fire in a data center rather than caused by any direct security breaches.
