Block CEO and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey revealed in an X post on Sunday night that he spent the weekend building a new app called Bitchat—a name presumably derived from “bit” and “chat” (despite how it may read at first glance).
Bitchat is a peer-to-peer messaging app that operates over Bluetooth mesh networks, allowing users to send messages without Wi-Fi or cellular reception. These types of apps typically function within a short range—about 100 meters—but Dorsey claims Bitchat can relay messages through nearby peers to extend its reach to around 300 meters (984 feet). This makes it particularly useful in environments with unreliable connectivity, such as music festivals or crowded protests.
The concept mirrors other Bluetooth messaging apps like Bridgefy, which gained global attention during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Bridgefy’s ability to function offline made it harder for authorities to intercept communications. Both Bitchat and Bridgefy say they support end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy.
Interestingly, Bridgefy counts another Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone, among its investors. Dorsey’s move into peer-to-peer communication aligns with his long-standing advocacy for decentralized technology—he’s a vocal supporter of Bitcoin and was instrumental in launching the project that eventually became Bluesky, though he is no longer involved with its current operations.
Dorsey has opened Bitchat for beta testing via Apple’s TestFlight, but the program quickly maxed out its 10,000-user limit. According to Dorsey, the app is still under review before a broader public release.
Source: TechCrunch
