Thousands of Nepalis downloaded the Bitchat app, created by Twitter co-founder and Blockchain CEO Jack Dorsey, after authorities banned the social network amid massive anti-corruption protests.
This isn’t the first time the app has seen a surge in global popularity alongside protests.
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What is Bitchat?
Bitchat is a decentralized messaging app. The platform’s main advantage is that it can work without the internet. The project is scheduled to launch in July 2025.
The app works on Bluetooth Low Energy mesh network technology. Devices connect directly to each other via Bluetooth and relay messages continuously. If one phone is out of range of another, the message is forwarded through an intermediary node. This principle allows communication to continue even when cellular and Wi-Fi signals are lost.
The more users there are in Bitchat, the stronger the signal and the more stable the network. The same principle applies in blockchain systems: the more nodes there are, the higher the security and stability of the system.
The app supports encryption and user authentication via the Noise protocol. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the software has not been externally audited, so it cannot be confirmed to be completely secure.
In early versions of Bitchat, vulnerabilities were found, such as the possibility to spoof contact lists or bypass attack protections. However, its completely decentralized design — no central servers, registration, or infrastructure dependencies — makes the app a handy tool in times of crisis and censorship.
How to use the messaging app
Since the app works over Bluetooth, you can use Bitchat to communicate in places where there is no internet. For example:
- Traveling by plane: There’s no internet on the plane. Say you’re flying with someone but you’re assigned separate seats. With Bitchat, you can chat with your fellow passengers. This app is also especially useful when traveling by train, where internet connections can be unstable.
- Large events and festivals often experience signal outages when there are a lot of people in the same area. During festivals, the burden on mobile carriers increases, making it difficult to reach others. Bitchat is the solution to this problem.
There’s another notable use case: Bitchat has become a popular tool for protesters.
How Bitchat Became a Protest Tool
According to callebtc, in just a few days, the number of Bitchat installations in Nepal has increased from 3,344 to 48,781, four times more than in Indonesia, where anti-corruption protests have also occurred.
Bitchat download statistics Source: callebtc
The surge in interest in Nepal came after the blocking of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. The ban angered young people, and protests escalated into street clashes, with the parliament and Supreme Court buildings set on fire and the Prime Minister’s residence attacked.
Security forces used live ammunition and tear gas, killing at least 19 people and injuring hundreds. The prime minister at the center of a corruption scandal eventually resigned.
Bitchat’s popularity is linked to protests not only in Nepal and Indonesia, but also in Russia. According to Dorsey himself, as of July 2025, the majority of the app’s users are based in Russia.
The project’s growth in Russia is explained by several factors. First, the state aggressively promotes the MAX app, which users distrust because they believe authorities can access their chats. Second, Russians face partial blocking of WhatsApp and Telegram, two popular apps in the country. Amid restrictions and sanctions, the ability to freely access Bitchat has become a significant advantage.
Russian users love the app because it gives them more confidence in their privacy.
At the time of writing, Nepal and Indonesia have overtaken Russia to become the first and second largest Bitchat users respectively.
Dorsey has repeatedly emphasized that his messaging app is designed to combat censorship. Developers have supported protesters’ move to Bitchat, saying the app appeared at the right time and in the right place.
Jack Dorsey’s reaction to the use of bitchat by protesters Source: Developer X
summarize
Bitchat entered the market at the right time. Around the world, conflicts between citizens and governments have repeatedly erupted, with governments trying to cut off people’s normal communication and information flow. But with Bitchat, that won’t work.
This decentralized messaging app has proven its effectiveness, the project’s network continues to grow, and in the future, people in different parts of the world may be able to communicate without the internet and without the risk of being blocked, thanks to Jack Dorsey’s innovation.
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