Jack Dorsey Cuts the Cord with His New Internet-Free Messaging App Bitchat

Twitter co-founder and Block CEO Jack Dorsey has launched the beta version of Bitchat, a new decentralized messaging network that allows users to communicate securely without an internet connection.

Dorsey’s latest brainchild runs on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks and incorporates relays and store models. According to Dorsey, Bitchat also underpins message encryption models and “a few other things.”

According to a whitepaper released by Dorsey, Bitchat works by allowing nearby devices to form a self-organizing mesh network using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Instead of connecting to a central server, each user’s device acts as a node, relaying encrypted messages to other nearby devices.

Other characteristics associated with Bitchat include end-to-end encryption support, store-and-forward messaging, and room-based chats using hashtag-named groups with optional password protection. All devices connected in a Bitchat mesh act as both client and server.

The connection ensures that messages can travel beyond the 30-meter Bluetooth range by relaying through nearby nodes. Apart from not requiring an internet connection, Bitchat functions without SIM cards or cloud infrastructure.

Bitchat is one innovation that the digital technology ecosystem was expecting from Dorsey, among others. The entrepreneur’s financial services firm, Block Inc., has confirmed another upcoming milestone involving the launch of Bitcoin payments on Square, the firm’s point-of-sale platform. The solution will allow merchants to accept Bitcoin via the Lightning Network.

Considering the Lightning Network’s near-instant settlements, merchants could decide to hold the BTC they receive or convert it to fiat. Analysts expect the upcoming solution to boost Bitcoin adoption by making it more implementable as a payment instrument in mainstream finance.