Picture this: You’re at a music festival, in a remote area during a blackout, or in a spot where cell service vanishes—yet you still need to pay a friend or split a bill using Bitcoin. No Wi-Fi, no data, no problem. Thanks to Jack Dorsey’s innovative project Bitchat (often stylized as BitChat), sending Bitcoin offline is no longer science fiction. Launched in July 2025 as an open-source experiment, this app uses Bluetooth mesh networks to let you create, sign, and relay Bitcoin transactions without any internet connection.
This breakthrough combines Bitcoin’s decentralized spirit with everyday smartphone tech, making digital money truly resilient even when traditional networks fail. In this guide, we’ll explain how it works in simple terms, step by step, and why it’s exciting for everyday users who value privacy and independence.
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(Photo of Jack Dorsey, the mind behind Bitchat and a longtime Bitcoin advocate—his latest project pushes financial freedom even further offline.)
What Exactly Is Bitchat and Why Did Jack Dorsey Build It?
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter (now X) and CEO of Block (formerly Square), has long championed Bitcoin as a tool for financial freedom. In mid-2025, he released Bitchat as a weekend project to push boundaries further. Officially described on its site bitchat.free and in its GitHub whitepaper, Bitchat is a decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging app that runs entirely over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks—no servers, no phone numbers, no central control.
The app draws inspiration from Bitcoin’s permissionless design. It started as an offline chat tool but quickly evolved to support Bitcoin transactions. Users can sign transactions offline and pass them through nearby phones until one device with internet broadcasts it to the Bitcoin blockchain. This “store-and-forward” method makes Bitcoin usable in disconnected scenarios like natural disasters, protests, or remote travel.
(Insert image here: Conceptual screenshot/mockup of the Bitchat app showing the simple interface for creating an offline Bitcoin transaction—clean wallet screen with sign and relay buttons.)
How Does Sending Bitcoin Offline Actually Work?
The magic lies in Bluetooth mesh networking combined with Bitcoin’s unsigned transaction flexibility. Here’s the easy breakdown:
- Create and Sign the Transaction Offline Open Bitchat on your phone. Use its built-in wallet tools to build a Bitcoin payment (enter amount, recipient address). Since your phone has your private keys, you sign the transaction locally—no internet needed.
- Relay Through the Mesh Network The signed transaction becomes like a message. Bitchat sends it via Bluetooth to nearby devices running the app. Those devices relay it further (multi-hop), creating a temporary network. Range starts small (about 30-100 meters direct), but with enough people, it can span hundreds of meters or more in crowded areas.
- Broadcast When Internet Appears Eventually, one device in the chain connects to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data). It automatically broadcasts the transaction to the Bitcoin network. Once confirmed on-chain, the payment is complete—just like any normal Bitcoin transfer.
This process relies on end-to-end encryption for security.
(Insert image here: Illustration of a Bluetooth mesh network—several smartphones connected in a web pattern with arrows showing a Bitcoin transaction hopping from phone to phone until reaching one with an internet connection.)
Step-by-Step: How to Try Sending Bitcoin with Bitchat
Getting started is straightforward for most smartphone users:
- Download Bitchat from its official site (bitchat.free) or app stores where available (iOS versions rolled out in late 2025).
- Set up a wallet within the app—generate or import Bitcoin keys securely.
- Enable Bluetooth and grant location permissions (needed for mesh discovery).
- Find a friend nearby also running Bitchat.
- Send a test transaction: Start small, like a few satoshis, to see it relay.
- Wait for confirmation once any device in the chain goes online.
Remember, this is still experimental. Transactions might take longer to confirm depending on how many hops they make, and you should only use small amounts until the tech matures. Always back up your keys!
(Insert image here: Simple step-by-step infographic—numbered panels showing phone setup, signing a transaction, Bluetooth relay hops, and final blockchain broadcast.)
Real-World Uses and Why This Matters for Everyday People
Bitchat shines in situations where connectivity drops:
- Festivals, camping trips, or crowded events with poor signal.
- Emergency scenarios like power outages or natural disasters.
- Regions with heavy censorship or unreliable networks.
- Casual peer-to-peer payments among friends without relying on banks or apps.
For privacy-focused users, it avoids centralized tracking. Early tests showed successful offline transfers in crowded settings.
(Insert image here: Scene of people at an outdoor event or festival—groups using their phones to make quick peer-to-peer Bitcoin payments via Bluetooth, capturing the real-world casual use case.)
Potential Limitations and the Road Ahead
Like any new tech, Bitchat has caveats:
- Range depends on user density—sparse areas limit reach.
- Security risks if malicious nodes tamper (though encryption helps mitigate).
- Transactions aren’t instant; final confirmation needs internet eventually.
- It’s experimental—use caution with large amounts.
Still, the concept proves Bitcoin can work offline through creative networking. As adoption grows, future updates could add features like longer-range relays or integration with other protocols.
In a world increasingly dependent on always-on internet, Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat reminds us that true financial freedom includes working without the grid. If you’ve ever worried about losing access to your money during outages, this tool offers a glimpse of a more resilient future. Download it, test it safely, and see how Bitcoin stays borderless—even offline.
