The news: X is rolling out an encrypted messaging service to users.

• The chat service, called XChat, will include features like disappearing messages, the ability to send any type of file, and support for audio and video calls.
• X owner Elon Musk said XChat will have “Bitcoin style” encryption and will be available to all users this week, barring any scaling issues.

Killer app: Musk has long sought to make X an everything app like WeChat, where users can shop, message, and post from a single location.

Expanding beyond public posting could help X take on rivals like Meta’s WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. If the encryption proves trustworthy and the features are stable at scale, XChat could give X a foothold in the private-messaging realm.

Adoption hurdles: Gaining user trust could be a major challenge, especially given X’s broader reputation around content moderation, security, and user privacy.

Encrypted messaging apps depend on user confidence, particularly when privacy is a core value proposition. It’s unclear if XChat’s content will be used to train X or xAI’s products.

Some experts have criticized Musk’s description of “Bitcoin-style” encryption, as the terminology may be either misleading or misused.

Our take: Product strength isn’t enough to entice adoption if user trust is missing. Transparency around how XChat’s encryption works or plans for its data are necessary, or privacy-conscious users may stick with more established platforms like Signal or Telegram.

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