Bitcoin News Today: Bitchat Launches Bluetooth-Only Messaging App With Bitcoin Ecash Integration

Jack Dorsey, former CEO of Twitter, has long advocated for decentralized communication and finance systems, supporting protocols like Nostr, an open-source, censorship-resistant social network. Now, he and a group of collaborators have launched Bitchat, a Bluetooth-only messaging app recently made available on the Apple App Store [1]. Unlike conventional messaging apps, Bitchat creates a low-energy mesh network that allows devices in close proximity to communicate without relying on cell towers, routers, or remote servers. This decentralized approach mirrors offline messaging systems like Signal but adds a unique twist by integrating with ecash, a digital bearer instrument inspired by David Chaum’s 1982 blind signature concept [1].

Ecash allows Bitcoin to be transmitted between devices without internet access, using a Bluetooth mesh network. This method enables users to send and receive satoshis offline, with the ability to settle the transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain when connectivity is restored [1]. The integration of ecash with Bitchat demonstrates how Bitcoin can function in environments where internet infrastructure is limited or unavailable, addressing the speed and privacy limitations inherent in the base-layer Bitcoin protocol [1].

Chaumian ecash, first proposed in the 1980s, solves the double-spending problem of digital money by using a centralized mint to verify transactions while preserving user privacy. Unlike Bitcoin’s global ledger, ecash tokens operate off-chain but remain redeemable for actual Bitcoin at a one-to-one ratio [1]. This system introduces counterparty risk at the mint level but offers the benefits of instant, localized transactions. Bitchat’s Bluetooth mesh acts as a clearing system, akin to CHIPS in traditional finance, where ownership of ecash tokens changes hands before final settlement occurs on the Bitcoin blockchain [1].

The Bitchat-plus-ecash model expands Bitcoin’s usability without altering its monetary policy, enabling faster transactions in low-connectivity environments. For this system to succeed, however, mints must implement robust reputation and proof-of-reserve mechanisms to manage trust and transparency. The user interface must also be intuitive, ensuring that everyday users can easily send ecash tokens and redeem them for Bitcoin without needing technical expertise [1].

This innovation has the potential to revolutionize digital payments in the same way that Nostr seeks to redefine digital speech. By bringing decentralized systems to the physical edges of daily life, Bitchat could empower users with greater financial sovereignty and privacy, especially in regions where internet access is inconsistent or controlled [1].

Source: [1] Can “Bitchat” Build A Free Internet With Bitcoin? (https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbirnbaum/2025/07/31/can-bitchat-build-a-free-internet-with-bitcoin/)