X can not only post and view tweets, but it may gradually acquire instant messaging features similar to Telegram or WeChat in the future.
On June 1, Musk began to make moves, announcing the launch of a new messaging system on the X platform called XChat, which focuses on end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file transfers of any type, and cross-platform audio and video calls.
In other words, X can not only post and view tweets, but it may gradually acquire instant messaging features similar to Telegram or WeChat in the future.
Currently, this feature is still in the testing phase, and not all users can experience it.
However, what is more eye-catching is that Musk claims XChat uses "Bitcoin-style encryption" and is developed in Rust, boasting a "completely new architecture."
Bitcoin is so classic that many people are familiar with its name, treating it as a leading asset, but they are not very clear about the technology it actually uses.
What exactly is the "Bitcoin-style encryption architecture" that Musk mentioned? The author revisited the Bitcoin white paper to interpret it from the perspective of an experienced investor.
XChat Beta Features Preview
According to some Twitter users' feedback, their X accounts have already been pushed XChat, marked as "Beta" testing. The core feature is that private messages will be end-to-end encrypted across all your devices, and no one can read your private messages, including X.
So, we can combine Musk's original post and user feedback to break down this feature.
End-to-end encryption: Messages and call content can only be seen by the two parties communicating; third parties (including the X platform) cannot eavesdrop.
Self-destructing messages: You can set messages to automatically delete after a certain time, such as 10 minutes, for more thorough privacy protection.
File transfers of any type: Supports sending any type of file, including photos, videos, documents, etc., without being limited by format or size.
Cross-platform audio and video calls: You can make calls without a phone number, supporting multiple devices like phones and computers, with call content also encrypted.
You have to admit, this is somewhat similar to Telegram.
What does this have to do with Bitcoin?
When mentioning "Bitcoin-style encryption," many people's first reaction might be: Isn't Bitcoin used for transfers? What does that have to do with encrypted chatting?
Hold on, let's first review Bitcoin's encryption technology and then see how XChat might draw inspiration from it.
In fact, the title of the Bitcoin white paper from over a decade ago already made it clear: "A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System," where "peer-to-peer" is often referred to as P2P.
BTC---To achieve peer-to-peer (me and you) transfers, there is no need for a middleman;
XChat---To achieve peer-to-peer (me and you) chatting, there is no need for a middleman.
This is a different implementation direction of the same underlying technology.
To achieve peer-to-peer, how does Bitcoin do it?
Setting aside the blockchain ledger technology, Bitcoin uses encryption technology for peer-to-peer transfers, simply put, it involves "locks" and "signatures."
"Lock": Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC): Bitcoin uses something called Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which is like a super secure lock. Everyone has two keys: one is a public key (public, like a lock), and the other is a private key (only you know, like a key). For example, if you want to send Bitcoin to a friend, your wallet will "lock" the transaction using your friend's public key, and only your friend can "unlock" it with their private key to receive the money. Throughout the process, no one can eavesdrop or tamper with it, not even the Bitcoin network can see the transaction details.
"Signature": Digital Signature (ECDSA): In addition to the "lock," Bitcoin also uses digital signatures to prove "you are you." When you make a transfer, your wallet generates a signature using your private key to prove that the transaction was indeed initiated by you. Others can verify this signature using your public key but cannot forge it.
"Tamper-proof": Hash Algorithm (SHA-256): Bitcoin also uses a hash algorithm called SHA-256 to turn transaction information into a fixed-length "fingerprint." If the transaction is altered, even by changing a single letter, the fingerprint will be completely different, and the network will immediately detect it.
Note that these encryption algorithms and signature algorithms were not invented by Bitcoin; they are used in combination.
Therefore, combining XChat's features, we can speculate that it might use Bitcoin's technology, which is what Musk refers to as "Bitcoin-style encryption":
End-to-end encryption: The "safe" for messages. XChat's end-to-end encryption may use a variant of ECC (such as the ECDH protocol). When you send a message to a friend, your phone encrypts the message using your friend's public key, and only your friend's private key can decrypt it. For example: if you send "I'll arrive at 7 PM," the message will turn into a string of gibberish that only your friend's device can decode; the X platform or anyone else cannot see it. Audio and video calls may also use a similar method to protect call content from eavesdropping.
Digital signature: Proving the message is from you: XChat may use a digital signature technology similar to ECDSA to ensure the message's source is trustworthy. For example, if you send a contract document, XChat will sign it with your private key, and your friend can verify it using your public key to confirm that the document was sent by you and has not been tampered with.
Self-destructing messages: Encryption + timed destruction: The disappearing message feature may combine encryption and a timed destruction mechanism. After the message is encrypted, only the recipient can see it, and the server will automatically delete it after a specified time (e.g., 10 minutes). Even if the device is hacked, historical messages cannot be retrieved.
File transfers: Tamper-proof "fingerprint": When transferring files, XChat may use SHA-256 to generate a hash value (fingerprint) of the file. After your friend receives the file, the system will automatically verify the fingerprint to ensure the file has not been tampered with during transmission.
As for the programming language used, whether it's RUST or something else, the author does not have a technical background and will not elaborate further.
More than just chatting
The launch of XChat is not just a simple chat tool.
Musk has always wanted to turn X into an "everything app," similar to the WeChat we commonly use.
From some of his actions, clues can be seen, such as first acquiring Twitter, then borrowing many features from WeChat, integrating Grok AI, and so on.
As the U.S. stablecoin legislation gradually passes and a crypto-friendly environment forms, we also have reason to expect the emergence of payment-related features, such as XPay.
WeChat's success in China relies on social relationships and strong stickiness, integrating functions like chatting, payments, ride-hailing, and shopping. If XChat can integrate payments (XPay), AI assistants (Grok 3), social features (community functions of the X platform), along with strong privacy protection, it could very well become the "super WeChat" of the West.
Finally, let's take a look at whether the term "Bitcoin-style encryption" is really that unique. In fact, it may not be.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), digital signatures (ECDSA), and hash algorithms (SHA-256) are technologies that are no longer exclusive to Bitcoin.
Many secure applications use similar technologies, such as WhatsApp and Signal's end-to-end encryption, which also relies on ECC and hash algorithms; Apple's iMessage even adopted ECC as early as the 2010s. While Bitcoin's encryption technology is reliable, it is more like an "industry standard" and lacks much originality.
Musk's choice of the term "Bitcoin-style" is likely driven by marketing considerations. Bitcoin, as a "synonym" for cryptocurrency, carries its own traffic and trust halo.
However, the more pro-crypto expressions there are, the happier we are.
In the environment of attention tokenization, the subsequent features and gameplay of X and Musk are also worth looking forward to.
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