Elon Musk’s XChat Faces Cryptography Scrutiny After Launch

Elon Musk Announces Controversial XChat Encryption

Elon Musk announced the launch of XChat on June 2, 2025, sparking controversy with claims about “Bitcoin-style encryption.”

The controversy arises from Musk’s “Bitcoin-style encryption” claim for XChat, with Bitcoin experts disputing this term.

Elon Musk introduced XChat on the X platform, claiming encryption capabilities similar to Bitcoin. Experts quickly pointed out inaccuracies, stating Bitcoin’s security protocol uses SHA-256 hashing instead.

Figures like Samson Mow and Luke Dashjr criticized Musk’s description, emphasizing Bitcoin’s use of elliptic curve cryptography rather than traditional encryption methods.

The claims have not yet resulted in noticeable financial shifts. Some analysts suggest the marketing tactic might mislead users regarding the platform’s actual security.

Historically, misstatements by prominent figures in tech have often led to clarification by the expert community. Musk’s remarks resemble prior incidents of cryptographic misunderstandings in public discourse.

Despite the backlash, it’s unclear how XChat’s launch will affect regulations or technological developments. Continuing discussions suggest heightened scrutiny of cryptographic terms in tech industry marketing.

Elon Musk, Owner, X – “XChat features encryption capabilities, vanishing messages, file transfers, and audio/video calling features.”