July 7, 2026 — The team behind Cake Wallet - trusted by 2 million users - today launched Radar Chat, a free, open-source app that brings private messaging and self-custodial Bitcoin Lightning payments into one seamless experience for iOS and Android.
Today, the way people communicate and the way they move money are still treated as separate parts of life. Want to send a private message? One app. Want to send bitcoin? Another app. Copy, paste, switch, repeat.
Radar Chat changes that by letting users send sats like they send a text, with no switching apps and no copy-paste needed. Users can open a chat, type an amount, and send bitcoin instantly over Lightning.
The app is Signal-compatible, allowing users to reach Signal or Radar users without starting from scratch. No rebuilding your network and no new account necessary.
Radar Chat was built to remove friction without asking users to compromise on the principles that matter to Bitcoiners and the crypto community, including self-custody, privacy, verifiability, censorship resistance, and permissionless payments.
The app uses the Signal Protocol for end-to-end encrypted messaging, meaning the people you already chat with come with you. Payments in Radar are powered by Bitcoin Lightning, settle in under a second, and remain 100% self-custodial. Keys stay on device, and Radar Chat never touches user funds.
Radar Chat is free to use, private by default, and open source, with no ads, trackers, or hidden fees. The messages, payments, contacts, notes, and balances all remain private and nobody can see them, not even Radar Chat.
“Bitcoin doesn't need new principles. It needs better user experiences. The future isn't choosing between sovereignty and usability. It's products that deliver both.” said Vikrant Sharma, Founder and CEO of Radar Chat.
“Sending Bitcoin shouldn't feel different from sending a message. Radar is designed to make moving money feel as natural as everyday conversation.”
Private Conversations, Instant Bitcoin Payments
For Bitcoin users, Radar Chat is designed to make everyday payments feel as natural as everyday conversation. Splitting dinner, gifting sats, supporting creators, or paying someone back can now happen inside the same private conversation where the need for payment begins.
The app is Signal-compatible, allowing users to reach Signal or Radar users without starting from scratch. No rebuilding your network and no new account necessary.
“Circular economies become stronger when the tools people use every day make it easier to communicate, transact, coordinate, and participate. Radar helps remove friction from those interactions. Bitcoin circular economies thrive when spending and earning Bitcoin feels as natural as everyday conversation,” said Seth for Privacy, COO of Radar Chat.
Radar Chat also financially supports Signal, contributing back to the private messaging protocol and mission it relies on.
Radar Chat was built by Radar Chat Inc, a new company from the team behind Cake Wallet, an open-source crypto wallet trusted by nearly 2 million people.
Radar Chat is available on iOS and Android.
About Radar Chat
Radar Chat brings private messaging and self-custodial Bitcoin together in one app. Built on the Signal protocol for end-to-end encrypted chats and the Bitcoin Lightning network for instant payments, Radar lets you send sats as easily as you send a text — no switching apps, no copy-pasting addresses, and no handing your keys to anyone. Your money stays in your custody, on your device. Radar is made by the team behind Cake Wallet, the open-source crypto wallet trusted by 2 million people. Available on iOS and Android.
