Elon Musk to Launch X Chat — A Bitcoin-Based Encryption App for Private Messaging
Elon Musk is preparing to take another bold step in his quest to transform X into an “everything app.”
The tech billionaire revealed plans to launch a new standalone messaging platform called X Chat, designed to directly compete with Telegram and WhatsApp.
Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Friday, Musk said the rollout is expected within the next few months, marking a significant evolution of X’s communication tools.
“On X, we just rebuilt the entire messaging stack into what’s called ‘X Chat,’” Musk said. “It’s using a peer-to-peer-based encryption system, kind of similar to Bitcoin. It’s very good encryption; we’re testing it thoroughly.”
X Chat A Different Kind of Messaging Experience
Musk emphasized that X Chat won’t follow the same advertising-driven model that dominates other messaging apps. Unlike WhatsApp, which he said “knows enough about what you’re texting to know what ads to show you,” X Chat will have no “hooks for advertising.”
According to Musk, those hooks are not only intrusive but dangerous: “That’s a massive security vulnerability because if it knows enough information to show you ads, that’s a lot of information. Hackers could use those same hooks to read private messages.”
WhatsApp’s Encryption vs. X Chat’s Vision
While WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, maintains that the app’s messages are end-to-end encrypted using the Signal Protocol, Musk’s comments highlight growing public concern about what isn’t protected. WhatsApp’s own FAQ acknowledges that metadata — including who users chat with and how often — is not encrypted, and backup copies of chat histories aren’t automatically secured either.
WhatsApp’s FAQ on how its end-to-end encryption works (Source: WhatsApp)
Additionally, WhatsApp says it works with other Meta Companies to help provide, improve and support each other’s services, sharing some user information when accounts are integrated with other Meta products. This has fueled ongoing skepticism among privacy-conscious users, who often migrate toward platforms that promise minimal data collection.
“No Hooks” and Full Encryption
Musk positioned X Chat as a response to those concerns. “I’m not saying it’s perfect, but our goal with X Chat is to replace what used to be the Twitter DM stack with a fully encrypted system where you can text, send files, do audio and video calls,” he said. “I think it will be the least insecure of any messaging system.”
He added that the service will be offered both as part of the X platform and as a standalone app, further expanding the X ecosystem.
The Road to a Privacy-Focused Future
If Musk delivers on his promise, X Chat could set a new standard for privacy in digital communication. The combination of peer-to-peer encryption, ad-free functionality, and multi-feature messaging would place it among the few large-scale platforms prioritizing user security over monetization.
For now, the crypto-inspired encryption system remains under testing, but Musk’s vision is clear: to create a communication tool that eliminates the need to trade privacy for convenience. As the rollout approaches, X Chat may become the next major step in Musk’s broader effort to redefine how users connect, communicate, and share online.
