Dorsey's Bitchat Messaging Service Lets Users Send Bitcoin Offline

Cryptocurrency influencer Merlijn has hailed Jack Dorsey as a 'legend' for creating Bitchat, a messaging service that allows users to send Bitcoin without an internet connection.

The application operates within a 30-meter Bluetooth range and uses bridge nodes to link separate clusters. It also enables offline transaction signing and relaying, but full blockchain verification and settlement still require an internet connection at some point.

Dorsey launched Bitchat in July last year as a peer-to-peer messaging application that provides 'ephemeral messaging,' meaning messages are stored only in the device's memory and not on any central database. The system has faced challenges, including being removed from China's App Store by Apple following orders from authorities who alleged it contained 'illegal' content.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman suggested that Bitchat could be a useful communication tool in regions where governments censor or shut down the internet.