The Introduction of Keychat
Keychat is a chat app, built on Bitcoin ecash, Nostr protocol and Signal protocol.
Keychat is inspired by the postal system — stamps, post offices, letters.
Keychat uses Bitcoin ecash as stamps and Nostr relays as post offices.
Senders send messages stamped with Bitcoin ecash to Nostr relays. The Nostr relays collect the Bitcoin ecash, then deliver messages to receivers.
Unlike the centralized postal system, Keychat can use multiple Bitcoin ecash issuers and Nostr relays, each maintained by distinct operators.
Keychat uses Signal protocol to ensure message encryption security and meta-data privacy.
The content of the letter can be exposed easily by opening the envelope. Keychat messages are end-to-end encrypted via Signal protocol, with a unique encryption key generated for each message. Only the sender and receiver can decrypt the message.
The addresses of both parties on the envelope can be tracked. In theory, this problem is solved if they change addresses daily. So Keychat reuses Signal protocol to update sending and receiving addresses for nearly every message.
Like the postal system, Keychat requires no registration. Users just generate Nostr keys as ID.
Keychat
Keychat - Super App for Humans and Agents.
Sovereign IDs, Bitcoin Wallet, Secure Chat, Mini Apps — all in Keychat.
Replies (29)
It is interoperable. Keychat relay only add collecting bitcoin ecash function. If the relay operator provides free service, current relays e.g., Damus relay can be used as Keychat relay.
The android apk will be released first, then the code.
Runs on Cashu <3
Does the app allow signal users to interact with nostr and vice versa?
What's the role of these postage stamps? Are the stamps for paying the relays? What about the internet gateway etc..?
Yes, nostr relays get those ecash stamp.
We think there is no long-lasting free lunch. So we learn from postal system. Ecash is best e-stamp. relay will be post office, which has income to cover cost.
Cool, perhaps you could consider layering the post stamps if you want to pay the ISP as well :)
Signal protocol =/= Signal app. WhatsApp also use signal protocol to achieve end to end encryption.
So keychat users can’t interact with signal app users.
So what does the protocol do? Did you throw signal into the mix for the GUI?
The Signal protocol is only responsible for encrypting and decrypting messages.
Yeah, Keychat uses Signal protocol to encrypt / decrypt message.
Can the devs stop now please. 😂
Can't keep up anymore.
what is "bitcoin ecash" tho?
i'm guessing you're using double blinded signatures for what you call stamps here, but they are not tied to bitcoin?
I think it is possible. Give all relays who routed the message bitcoin ecash. Just like using 10 letter envelops, every envelop has one stamp.
will the cashu be encrypted for the relay or public?
Public. The relay is the first to receive the ecash stamp, so it can collect it. It's like the stamp is affixed on the envelope, not inside it.
it's beautiful
Code first
Why not just use a bitcoin lightning stamp?
Because in the Lightning Network, payments require multiple interactions to succeed. Additionally, the transaction fees for self-hosted Lightning Network transactions are very expensive.
I don't understand.
What do you mean by 'multiple interactions to succeed'?
Transaction fees on Lightning are in the order of one hundredth of one cent.
Github link for .apk?
Because relay operators need to pay for server-related expenses. SimpleX relay operators also need to pay server-related expenses.
Take Phoenix LN wallet for example. Fees of Sending via Lightning 0.4 % + 4 sat
https://phoenix.acinq.co/faq#what-are-the-fees
The fee-free mode of custodial Lightning Network wallets has misled many people into thinking that the Lightning Network is very cheap.
Don't use Phoenix then.
If I have $50 of Bitcoin on the Lightning network. I don't care about custody.
If I put $1000 of Bitcoin on the Lightning network, I'll make sure I have my own keys.
"Bitcoin e-cash" is a misnomer. It's not Bitcoin. It's some shitcoin that may or may not be backed by Bitcoin.
“If I have $50 of Bitcoin on the Lightning network. I don't care about custody.”
yes，custody Lightning network is shitcoin.
I disagree. Happily used it every day in El Salvador. And it works. And it's bitcoin.
The only use case I can think of for e-cash is CBDC and dog meme coins.
custody Lightning network is much worse than bitcoin ecash.
1. At least it's Bitcoin.
2. Bolt 12
Sure, but the mint can still issue more tokens than it has in reserve.
Sounds good. Cant wait to get started.
