Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) Wallet users can now send instant messages to each other using their Ethereum identities, according to a July 12 blog post from Coinbase. The new feature relies on the Extensible Message Transport Protocol (XMTP), an instant messaging system that allows users to communicate using blockchain addresses. XMTP is also used by decentralized social media network Lens.
According to Coinbase’s post, select wallet users can now send messages to each other’s cb.id, .eth, or Lens usernames. The feature is being rolled out first to all users who scan a QR code from the blog post or who own Lens profiles, with all users gaining access at some point in the future. Messages are end-to-end encrypted to ensure privacy, and users can block addresses they don’t want to see messages from.