Within hours of its iPhone launch, XChat climbed to the number one spot on the US App Store, overtaking both ChatGPT and Claude. The move gave Elon Musk’s X an early win for its standalone messaging app. The ranking supports X’s broader plan to connect messaging, artificial intelligence, and payments under one brand. It also placed XChat ahead of two major AI assistants on the free app chart.
Early Success in a Crowded Market
In an X post on Saturday, X head of product Nikita Bier shared an App Store screenshot. The image showed XChat in first place, ChatGPT in second, and Claude in third. Bier reposted the chart with a short caption. He joined X last year to lead consumer growth. He previously helped TBH and Gas reach the top of the App Store. The chart move gives XChat strong early visibility. ChatGPT had held the top free app spot through much of the past year. Claude had also remained close behind.
Encryption and Features Built Differently
XChat is built in Rust and uses what X describes as Bitcoin-style encryption. The app supports end-to-end encrypted chats, voice calls, video calls, and file transfers. It does not require users to register with a phone number. This gives XChat a different setup from messaging apps that depend on phone-based signups. Group chats currently support up to 481 members. X is targeting a 1,000-member limit in the coming weeks. The increase would allow larger communities to use the app. XChat also includes Grok inside conversations. Users could ask the assistant to summarize files and draft messages. This adds AI tools directly to the chat experience.
X Money Roadmap Shapes XChat’s Next Test
The launch matters because XChat is part of Musk’s wider product stack. In an earlier X post, Elon Musk said X had rolled out encrypted messages, audio and video calls, and file transfers. He added that X Money would come out soon. The wallet is being built with Visa. The first phase of X Money would focus on peer-to-peer fiat transfers. Crypto support is planned for a later release. That roadmap could move payment tools closer to XChat users. X has secured money transmitter licenses in more than 40 US states. Those approvals remove one regulatory hurdle for the payments rollout.
XChat now enters a crowded messaging market. It would compete with WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. Once payments launch, PayPal and Venmo will also become part of the comparison. For traders, the link between Cashtags, group chats, and X Money could be important. It may allow market discussion and payments to sit inside the same X ecosystem. However, the next test would come when X Money goes live. XChat’s early App Store lead gives it momentum, but holding that position may be harder once launch interest slows.
