Iranian protesters turn to Bitcoin-based communication tools
Iran has been facing significant protests in recent weeks, and the government’s response included shutting down internet access across the country. They even tried to block satellite services like Starlink. This made it incredibly difficult for people to organize or share information.
But here’s where things get interesting. Protesters started using apps that don’t need internet connections at all. Three apps in particular—Bitchat, Noghteha, and Delta Chat—have become essential tools. What’s remarkable is that two of these apps have direct connections to Bitcoin technology.
Bitchat was created by Jack Dorsey and an open-source developer named Calle. It works through Bluetooth mesh networks using something called the Nostr protocol. The basic idea is that phones can talk to each other directly, without going through any central server or internet connection.
The Iranian adaptation: Noghteha
Noghteha is essentially a modified version of Bitchat, but it’s been adapted specifically for Iranian users. It has full Persian language support, a different interface, and features that make sense in that context. The developer, Nariman Gharib, created it independently without any government or private funding.
What’s interesting about Noghteha is that it’s not open-source like the original Bitchat. This has caused some controversy. Calle, the original developer, has warned people about using closed-source privacy apps, which is a fair point. You can’t check what the code is doing if you can’t see it.
But there might be a reason for this approach. According to Ziya Sadr, a Bitcoin researcher and former political prisoner, the Iranian regime uses sophisticated tactics to undermine protest tools. They create fake download links, phishing attacks, and use influencers to push malicious versions of apps.
Rapid adoption during crisis
The timing of Noghteha’s release was strategic—right before the internet shutdown. In just three days before the blackout, Google Play recorded over 70,000 downloads. The actual numbers are probably much higher through peer-to-peer sharing and Bluetooth transfers.
Promotion came through Iran International, an opposition TV channel based outside the country. They broadcast details about how to get and use the app.
Bitchat itself had already proven useful in other situations. Back in September, it helped Nepalese protesters during their own social media restrictions, with nearly 50,000 downloads in one day.
The open-source dilemma
This situation raises some difficult questions about open-source software in high-risk environments. On one hand, open-source allows anyone to inspect the code for security issues. On the other hand, that same openness can be weaponized by adversaries who create malicious versions.
Calle’s concerns about the closed-source fork are valid. But perhaps Noghteha’s approach—releasing a closed version just before a blackout—was a practical response to immediate danger. It’s a trade-off between transparency and protection against sabotage.
The MIT license that Bitchat uses does allow for modifications and redistribution, so technically Noghteha is compliant as long as they give proper attribution.
What strikes me about this whole situation is how Bitcoin-related technologies keep finding practical applications in difficult circumstances. These tools weren’t necessarily designed for political protests, but they’re proving incredibly useful when traditional communication channels fail.
It’s not perfect, and there are real security concerns with using any app you can’t fully trust. But when your choices are between using a potentially risky app or having no communication at all during a protest, people will often choose the former.
This whole episode shows how technology adapts to human needs, sometimes in ways the original creators never anticipated. The Bitcoin ecosystem keeps producing tools that work when everything else fails, and that’s becoming more important than ever in places where internet access isn’t guaranteed.
