Jack Dorsey has launched the beta version of an app that is being seen as quite radical and (potentially) groundbreaking — Bitchat. It lets you send/receive Bitcoin and chat with other users entirely offline, without requiring an internet connection. This quick guide explores the new app, including its underlying technology, whether it packs enough punch to revolutionize crypto, potential vulnerabilities, and other key details.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ Bitchat enables encrypted Bitcoin and message transfers using Bluetooth, with no internet or mobile network required.
➤ Messages relay across a Bluetooth mesh network with no central servers, accounts, or permanent identifiers involved.
➤ Reliability depends on user density, with no delivery confirmations or routing logic in the current beta version.
➤ However, Bitchat does not function as a wallet or signing tool, the transactions are only delivered if a relay device eventually connects to the internet and broadcasts them.
What is Bitchat?
Bitchat is an offline, encrypted chat app that uses Bluetooth mesh networking to relay messages without internet, servers, accounts, emails, or phone numbers.
Under the hood, Bitchat creates a peer-to-peer Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network among devices. Every smartphone running Bitchat acts as both a client and a relay node, and each passes along encrypted messages to extend beyond the usual 30-meter Bluetooth range.
In essence, your messages can hop from your phone to the next, and so on – automatically multi-hopping up to seven times – to reach a faraway recipient without requiring any internet infrastructure. This offline-first design directly addresses one of the oldest criticisms of Bitcoin.
“’What if the electricity goes out’ is a common concern of Bitcoin skeptics. Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat solves the problem with cheap, easily sourced mesh nets,” Bitcoin pioneer Max Keiser told BeInCrypto.
Dorsey likened the system to old-school IRC chatrooms, but with modern encryption and no central servers. You also do not need to create an account, and neither do you need cell network coverage.
How Bitchat works
When you open the app, it generates an ephemeral ID for your device (which can even change each session for privacy). You can join chat “rooms” labeled with hashtags or message individuals directly.
All messages are protected with end-to-end encryption so that only the intended recipients can read them. For instance, even if someone intercepts the Bluetooth signal, the content supposedly remains gibberish without the decryption key.
Bitchat also uses a “store-and-forward” feature to handle offline devices. For example, if your friend’s phone is off or out of range, your message can be cached on an intermediate node and delivered once they come back online (within the mesh).
Bitchat supports relaying pre-signed Bitcoin transactions, but only as encrypted data packets. It does not generate or sign transactions, and it does not broadcast them to the Bitcoin network. Users must create and sign transactions using a separate Bitcoin wallet, then use Bitchat to pass the signed transaction data from device to device via Bluetooth.
The Bitcoin transaction is not finalized — and does not appear on the blockchain — until it is broadcast by a device with internet access and accepted into the Bitcoin mempool.
Notably, BitChat keeps these messages only in device memory (no cloud storage), so once delivered or expired, they are permanently deleted. So, while this feature will definitely woo privacy-focused users, it can also be a double-edged sword if you were to retrieve an old message.
The app also features a few other useful additions. For instance, you can create password-protected group chats for sensitive discussions, with room names acting as access hashtags.
The app utilizes broadcast beacons and temporary “mesh hubs” to detect nearby devices and coordinate message passing. There’s even mention of a “panic mode” that could let you wipe all messages quickly (a nod to activists under threat).
Bitchat: What’s under the hood?
The protocol running at the core of Bitchat relies on a custom binary format over BLE advertisements and connections. It uses a compressed header structure, message deduplication, and fragmentation to handle short payloads efficiently.
Devices scan for beacons and periodically establish encrypted connections to exchange queued messages. Each user is identified by a public key-derived ID that changes frequently to enhance anonymity.
Bitchat uses end-to-end encryption using X25519 for key exchange and AES-GCM for message encryption. Message metadata (like sender/recipient IDs) is encrypted as well, meaning only the intended recipient can see who a message is from.
The Bitchat whitepaper underlines that the app supports dummy traffic — randomized, encrypted packets — to improve privacy. These dummy packets look identical to real messages, which makes it harder for anyone to distinguish real conversations from decoys.
The app stores undelivered messages in memory (not disk) for up to 12 hours, or longer for marked “favorites.” Messages are deleted once delivered or expired. There’s no global routing, which essentially means that delivery is probabilistic and relies on node density and movement.
Another crucial aspect is the app’s impact on the host device’s battery cycle. The Bitchat whitepaper assures users on that front, saying that battery consumption is minimized through duty cycling, adaptive scan intervals, and automatic power-saving during inactivity. The protocol supports both foreground and background operations on iOS and Android.
| Feature/aspect | Description |
| Network type | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks |
| Internet requirement | None; operates entirely offline |
| Account requirement | No accounts, phone numbers, or personal identifiers |
| Message storage | Local device memory only; ephemeral by default |
| Encryption (private) | X25519 key exchange + AES-256-GCM |
| Encryption (channels) | Argon2id password derivation + AES-256-GCM |
| Message authenticity | Ed25519 digital signatures |
| Forward secrecy | New key pairs generated each session |
| Message routing | TTL-based (max 7 hops) |
| Range (current) | ~300 meters (via mesh relay) |
| Packet format | Compact binary protocol with 1-byte type field |
| Message compression | LZ4 (for messages >100 bytes, 30–70% savings) |
| Battery optimization | Adaptive power modes, background efficiency |
| Privacy features | Cover traffic (dummy messages), emergency wipe (triple-tap) |
| Group chats | “Rooms” with hashtags, optional password protection |
| Offline delivery | Store & forward mechanism (cached for offline peers) |
| Supported platforms | iOS, macOS (native); Android client possible via BLE APIs |
| Future enhancements | Wi-Fi Direct support for increased speed and range |
| Licensing | Public Domain (Unlicense) |
What are the drawbacks or vulnerabilities of BitChat?
Bitchat’s biggest limitation is its dependence on proximity. It works best when many users are nearby, like at protests or festivals. However, in remote or low-density areas, messages may never find a path out. Bluetooth range is short, and even with seven-hop relaying, the effective reach will likely stay very limited.
Another concern is reliability. At launch, Bitchat lacks delivery confirmations. So, if you send a message or Bitcoin transaction, you won’t know if it was received unless the recipient replies through some other channel. And with no routing logic, the mesh can get flooded in dense environments, which would risk delays or message loss.
Security-wise, while encryption appears solid, Bluetooth itself can be jammed or spammed. Attackers, in theory, could flood the mesh with junk messages or block signals entirely. The app also relies on someone eventually having internet access to broadcast Bitcoin transactions.
Put simply, without a connected node or satellite link, the transfer stays local and incomplete.
Bandwidth could be another substantial bottleneck to overcome — Bluetooth is fine for texts, not for anything heavier.
To cut a long story short, Bitchat will likely work best as a backup tool in edge cases in its early days instead of being a mainstream alternative to messaging or Bitcoin transfers.
Can Bitchat be useful beyond crypto?
In short, yes!
While Bitchat’s ability to relay Bitcoin transactions offline has grabbed headlines, its broader value lies in offline communication.
For instance, in natural disasters, democratic protests, or internet shutdowns, you can use the app to share information with nearby devices without needing cell towers or Wi-Fi. This makes it a potential lifeline in emergencies — whether you are coordinating rescue efforts, sending location details, or simply staying in touch.
With some planning, Bitchat’s design could potentially also benefit people in remote regions with weak infrastructure. For example, schools, field teams, or aid workers could use it to exchange messages without relying on costly or unreliable networks. And because it runs on everyday smartphones using Bluetooth, there’s no need for special gear.
So, all these factors considered, Bitchat can evolve with time to serve as a secure, local communication layer in places or situations where traditional networks break down.
Bitchat: Mere hype or something truly substantial?
The potential impact, in theory at least, is huge. Offline Bitcoin transfers could make crypto more usable during emergencies and major power outages.
It could also push mainstream wallets and apps to consider offline-capable designs. While earlier projects like goTenna and LochaMesh explored similar ideas, Bitchat is one of the first, if not the first, to deliver this in a mobile app that can run on regular smartphones. And with Jack Dorsey behind it, Bitchat will likely draw far more credibility and visibility (as we are already witnessing).
So, even though it might not bring a radical change overnight, Bitchat could mark the early stages of a shift where your ability to use crypto no longer depends on centralized infrastructure. And more importantly, where you stay in control, even when the internet isn’t.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bitchat and how does it work?
Can you send Bitcoin without internet using Bitchat?
Is Bitchat secure for sending messages and Bitcoin transactions?
What are the main limitations of Bitchat?
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