Elon Musk has launched a new private messaging feature on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, as part of his ongoing bid to transform it into an all-in-one app. The feature, called XChat, is rolling out in beta to paying users and includes encrypted messages, vanishing chats, file sharing, and support for audio and video calls. Musk claims it uses a “Bitcoin-style” encryption architecture, though he has yet to explain what that means in practice.

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“Whole new architecture,” Musk posted on X late Sunday, adding that the update allows users to send “any kind of file” alongside disappearing messages and secure calls. According to TechCrunch, the chats are locked behind a four-digit passcode, hinting at local device-level protection, but details remain vague.

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The move deepens Musk’s ambition to make X more than just a public-facing forum for viral commentary and political spats. Since taking over Twitter in 2022, Musk has been steering the platform toward more private, utility-driven use cases, positioning X as a Western version of China’s WeChat — a single gateway for messaging, banking, dating, and more.

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Encrypted messaging isn’t entirely new for X. In May 2023, the platform quietly introduced end-to-end encryption for paid users, but paused it last week “to make improvements.” The launch of XChat appears to be the result of those upgrades, packaged with more robust features to entice users to rely on X not just for tweeting but for daily communication.

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Screenshots shared by independent app researcher Nima Owji suggest the interface has also been updated to support advanced group chats and a “vanishing mode.” The look and feel seem designed to rival WhatsApp and Telegram, while Musk’s mention of “Bitcoin-style” encryption suggests a decentralised or zero-knowledge system — though without technical documentation, that remains speculation.

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Privacy is only one part of the puzzle. What Musk really wants is for users to spend more time on X and use it for more things. In a company-wide meeting last year, he outlined plans to turn X into a “fully fledged” dating service and digital bank. Musk believes the next generation of platforms will collapse many current apps into one — and wants X to be first.

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But he’s not alone. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is pursuing a different version of the same idea through his side project World. Its biometric Orbs — sci-fi-style metal balls that scan users’ irises — are part of a growing network of verified humans. In May, World said it had verified over 12 million users out of its 26 million total, and had launched its own App Store focused on tools for real-life use. While Musk’s model relies on Musk himself as the draw, Altman is betting on identity as the foundation for a future internet.

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Musk’s ambitions are clearly broader than encrypted DMs. But the rollout of XChat is a step toward creating a private layer on top of a historically public platform. With X boasting over 600 million monthly users as of late 2024, there’s a significant user base to tap into — if the feature works well and earns trust.

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After a brief stint as a visible adviser to the Trump administration, Musk appears to be re-focusing his attention on his companies. Between AI, space, EVs, and now secure messaging, he’s casting a wide net. Whether XChat marks the start of something revolutionary or simply plays catch-up to WhatsApp and Signal will depend on how well it performs — and whether people believe the privacy promise.

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For now, Musk’s dream of a Western “everything app” continues to take shape — one encrypted message at a time.

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