Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday unveiled XChat, a new encrypted messaging and calling platform integrated within social media site X (formerly Twitter), further advancing his vision of transforming the platform into an all-in-one digital ecosystem.

In a post shared on X, Musk described XChat as “all new,” highlighting its privacy-centric features including end-to-end encrypted chats, vanishing messages, and cross-platform audio and video calls — none of which require users to register with a phone number. The platform is currently being rolled out in beta mode for a limited number of paid subscribers.

Describing the new tool as running on “a whole new architecture,” Musk claimed that the encryption protocols in XChat are inspired by Bitcoin-style cryptography. While the announcement has generated buzz across the tech world, technical specifics regarding the encryption method have not been publicly disclosed.

“Private and secure by design,” Musk wrote in his post, calling XChat a potential rival to Meta-owned WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal — all of which offer varying degrees of end-to-end encryption.

Shift towards encrypted communication

The launch comes amid growing global demand for secure digital communication tools. Platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal have made end-to-end encryption (E2EE) a standard feature, while others like Messenger and Instagram continue to roll out encrypted options in phases.

In recent months, X has introduced features such as “vanishing mode” and improved group chat capabilities, reflecting a shift in its messaging infrastructure. XChat is being seen as the culmination of these updates, aimed at attracting users concerned with online privacy and data protection.

Early beta testers have reported that XChat conversations are protected via a 4-digit passcode system, adding an extra layer of security for users who prefer anonymity.

Competing with tech giants

XChat’s entry into the crowded messaging app market places X in direct competition with industry leaders including WhatsApp and Telegram. Notably, Musk’s approach diverges by eliminating the phone number requirement altogether, positioning XChat as a more anonymous and privacy-focused solution.

Industry analysts have noted that the integration of secure messaging within a broader social media app could set X apart from its competitors — particularly if XChat becomes seamlessly linked with payments and other app functionalities Musk has hinted at in recent months.

X’s ‘Everything App’ ambition

The development of XChat is part of Musk’s broader ambition to evolve X into what he calls an “everything app” — a concept inspired by China’s WeChat, which combines messaging, social media, banking, ride-hailing, and dating under a single platform.

Musk has previously stated that he envisions X becoming a multifunctional hub by the end of 2024, with features including digital payments and dating services.

Since acquiring Twitter in late 2022, Musk has undertaken sweeping changes to the platform, including rebranding it to X and introducing paid subscription tiers, AI-generated content tools, and a growing suite of services aimed at increasing user engagement and monetisation.

Whether XChat succeeds in challenging entrenched players in the encrypted messaging space remains to be seen. However, the move marks another bold step by Musk as he seeks to reshape the digital communications landscape.