Bitchat, a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app by Jack Dorsey, has seen rapid uptake during Iran’s near-total internet shutdown that began around Jan. 8, 2026. The app was launched in mid-2025 and is designed to work without central servers, phone numbers, or user accounts, relying instead on local device-to-device connections.
What is Bitchat?
Bitchat is a messaging application built for censorship-resistant communication and offline use. It relies on Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking so messages can hop between nearby devices, extending reach as more users participate. The app also offers optional integration with open internet protocols such as Nostr, allowing messages to reach the wider network when connectivity returns.
Why is Bitchat popular in Iran?
Interest in Bitchat rose sharply following the onset of a near-total internet shutdown in early January 2026, around Jan. 8, according to reports. App analytics cited more than 1.5 million aggregate installs, with 226,000 downloads in the past week and about 11,000 in the most recent 24-hour period, though country-specific download numbers are not public. Activists have promoted the app for local coordination during protests, and users have shared it via direct Bluetooth transfers and Android APK files to expand local mesh coverage; see coverage of Iran protests for related context.
How does Bitchat work?
Messages are transmitted directly between nearby devices over Bluetooth Low Energy, forming a peer-to-peer mesh that can carry data across multiple hops. Communications are end-to-end encrypted, reducing reliance on intermediaries that could be monitored or shut down. When internet access is available, users can optionally bridge messages to global networks through protocols like Nostr, giving a hybrid offline-online capability.
Security and risks
Bitchat does not require users to submit personal information, which is important in high-surveillance environments and contributes to its appeal during outages. At the same time, an unauthorized clone of the app surfaced in Iran, reportedly using copied code, lacking open-source transparency, and soliciting donations. The original developers warned users to verify they download the authentic app from official repositories to avoid potential surveillance or data misuse.
Economic use cases
The app can transmit bitcoin (BTC) transaction data offline between peers, allowing users to prepare transfers during outages while noting that transactions still require internet access for confirmation. Reports also note a sizable cryptocurrency user base in Iran, which has influenced interest in offline tools; for broader background on bitcoin’s role in the country see Bitcoin in Iran.
Why this matters (short)
For miners and crypto users, Bitchat’s offline messaging and BTC data transmission show how transactions and coordination can continue during connectivity disruptions. At the same time, offline preparation of transactions does not replace the need for network confirmations, and unofficial app copies create real security risks.
What to do?
If you run mining hardware — from a single rig to larger setups — treat this development as operational and security information rather than a direct technical change. Verify any communication or wallet-related tools against official sources, avoid installing unofficial APKs, and do not broadcast or rely on offline transaction data as final until the network confirms it.
Practical steps: check app signatures against official repositories before installing, keep wallet seed phrases and backups offline and secure, wait for on-chain confirmations before moving mined funds, and maintain up-to-date software on nodes and wallets to reduce exposure to cloned or malicious apps.
FAQ
What is Bitchat? Bitchat is a decentralized messenger by Jack Dorsey that uses Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking to send encrypted messages without internet access. The app was launched in mid-2025 and works without central servers or user accounts.
Why is Bitchat being used in Iran? The app gained attention after a near-total internet shutdown around Jan. 8, 2026, because it lets users coordinate locally when mobile and broadband networks are restricted. Activists have promoted the app, and users have shared it via Bluetooth and APK files.
Can Bitchat handle bitcoin transactions? Bitchat can transmit bitcoin (BTC) transaction data offline between peers, which helps prepare transfers during outages, but transactions still require internet access later for confirmation on the blockchain.
