Elon Musk’s ambitious plans for X, formerly known as Twitter, are taking a significant step forward with the announcement of a partnership with payments giant Visa. The collaboration will enable digital transactions within the platform through a new feature called X Money, slated for a 2025 rollout.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino unveiled the initiative, describing it as a move toward realizing Musk’s vision of transforming X into an “everything app.” Dubbed the “online town hall,” the platform will integrate payment capabilities, marking a pivotal shift in its functionality.
Musk’s Influence Could Drive Crypto Integration in X
While specific details remain under wraps, the partnership with Visa has sparked speculation about the potential inclusion of cryptocurrency features in X Money. Musk, a long-time advocate for digital assets, has yet to confirm whether blockchain-based payments will be part of the launch.
However, Visa’s extensive engagement in the crypto space suggests a strong possibility. The financial services giant already collaborates with crypto exchanges to facilitate real-time Web3 transactions, non-fungible token (NFT) purchases, and crypto-backed debit cards. These capabilities could align seamlessly with X’s payment ambitions.
X’s foray into digital payments builds on a foundation laid before Musk acquired the platform in 2022. Under its previous management, the platform supported Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network and Ethereum-based tipping features—both of which remain available.
Musk’s influence in the crypto world adds another layer of intrigue. A vocal supporter of Dogecoin, the entrepreneur’s ventures, including Tesla, have embraced cryptocurrencies, with the automaker holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet.
The expansion of X’s payment functionality could position it as a formidable competitor to Telegram, a messaging app with deep integration into the Open Network (TON) blockchain. Telegram allows developers to offer native crypto services to its nearly one billion users, setting a high bar for X Money to meet or surpass.
However, questions remain about whether X Money will integrate crypto payments or replicate Telegram’s blockchain-centric ecosystem. Yaccarino and Musk have yet to disclose whether these features will be part of X’s strategy.
As X edges closer to launching X Money, the platform’s evolution reflects Musk’s broader ambition to redefine social media as a multi-functional digital hub. Whether this includes blockchain payments or crypto operability remains to be seen, but the partnership with Visa marks a bold step toward transforming X into more than just a social network.
With a 2025 debut on the horizon, all eyes will be on Musk and Yaccarino as they shape the future of X—and potentially, the future of online payments.
