TECH NEWS

Goodbye WhatsApp? Elon Musk Launches XChat with Encryption and No Phone Number Required

YEET MAGAZINE

08 Sep 2025 • 3 min read

Elon Musk unveils XChat: a secure, phone-free messaging app with end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, and unlimited file sharing.

"All new XChat is rolling out with encryption, vanishing messages, and the ability to send any kind of file. Also, audio/video calling." — Elon Musk (X)

What Is XChat and Why Should You Care?

Elon Musk has officially launched XChat, a new messaging platform within X (formerly Twitter) that aims to completely transform the way we connect. Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, XChat allows users to send messages, make calls, and share files without ever needing a phone number.

The move signals Musk’s ambition to make X more than just a social network—he wants to turn it into an “everything app” for communication, entertainment, and payments. (Business Insider, Economic Times)

Standout Features of XChat

1. Bitcoin-Style Encryption

XChat uses what Musk describes as “Bitcoin-style encryption”—a model designed to protect privacy by decentralizing security. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the sender and recipient can read them.

However, experts have raised concerns that this system may not yet match the proven strength of traditional encryption models. (CoinDesk, TechCrunch)

2. Vanishing Messages

For users who value extra discretion, XChat offers messages that disappear after they’ve been read—similar to Snapchat or Signal’s disappearing chat. This feature ensures that sensitive conversations leave no digital trail. (Times of India, CyberNews)

3. Audio and Video Calls Without Phone Numbers

Unlike WhatsApp, which requires a mobile number, XChat enables voice and video calls directly from the platform. This makes it especially appealing to users who don’t want to tie their identity to a phone number. (Economic Times)

Whether it’s documents, videos, or large media files, XChat removes restrictions by allowing unlimited file sharing—a direct challenge to WhatsApp and Telegram’s size limits. (Business Insider)

5. Rust-Based Architecture

XChat is built on a Rust framework, ensuring speed, reliability, and enhanced security. This makes the app faster and less prone to vulnerabilities compared to older platforms. (Greek City Times)

How Does XChat Compare to WhatsApp?

Feature	XChat	WhatsApp	Telegram	Signal
End-to-End Encryption	✅	✅	✅ (chats optional)	✅
Vanishing Messages	✅	✅	✅	✅
Phone Number Required	❌	✅	✅	✅
File Sharing Limits	Unlimited	2GB	2GB	100MB
Built On	Rust + Decentralized Security	Proprietary	Proprietary	Open Source

The Bigger Vision: Musk’s “Everything App”

XChat is more than a WhatsApp rival—it’s a stepping stone toward Musk’s “everything app” dream, much like China’s WeChat, where users can chat, shop, pay bills, and manage finances in one place.

By integrating encrypted messaging, calls, and payments under X, Musk aims to create an ecosystem that goes beyond social media. (Business Insider, Economic Times)

What Experts Are Saying

TechCrunch warns that while encryption is promised, X’s handling of private keys could still expose users to risks. (TechCrunch)
CoinDesk argues that calling the system “Bitcoin-style encryption” may be misleading, since Bitcoin’s security relies on public signatures rather than chat privacy. (CoinDesk)
Virtru stresses that true end-to-end encryption requires independent verification and complete user control—something XChat has yet to prove. (Virtru)

❓ XChat FAQ

1. Is XChat safer than WhatsApp?

XChat offers strong encryption, but experts caution that its “Bitcoin-style encryption” isn’t yet independently verified. WhatsApp uses a proven Signal Protocol for E2EE.

2. Do I need a phone number to use XChat?

No. Unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, XChat works without requiring a phone number.

3. Is XChat free to use?

Yes, XChat is free for all X users, though premium features could be introduced later.

4. Can I make calls on XChat?

Yes. XChat supports voice and video calls, all without tying your account to a mobile number.

5. What makes XChat different from other messaging apps?

Its key differences are: no phone number requirement, unlimited file sharing, vanishing messages, and Rust-based architecture for performance and security.

Final Thoughts

With XChat, Elon Musk is once again challenging the status quo. By offering encryption, vanishing chats, unlimited file sharing, and calls without phone numbers, he has placed X at the center of the privacy-first communication race.

But questions remain: Will users trust Musk’s “Bitcoin-style” encryption? And can XChat really compete with WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram?

For now, one thing is certain—the way we message online will never be the same again.