You Don’t Need the Internet to Use Bitcoin

TxTenna, which expects to launch “imminently,” uses goTenna’s network of mesh nodes to confirm payments via the Bitcoin blockchain.

A transaction is bounced around the network of nodes until one is found with an internet connection.

“This means that existing network infrastructure does not need to be in place for nodes to interact. TxTenna will enable off-grid broadcasts of signed Bitcoin transactions from (Samourai Wallet),” analyst Yassine Elmandjra ‏explained in a series of tweets on the upcoming launch October 7.

“…Long story short: you don’t need the internet to use Bitcoin.”

In September, Samourai unveiled a new privacy offering in order to beef up security in Bitcoin transactions, allowing users to create private channels between one another.

In a symbolic gesture, developers also removed all traces of fiat currency from the consumer version of the wallet this month, replacing US dollar balances with satoshi equivalents.

Samourai defended the obligatory change, arguing users will “never be ready” to migrate off fiat — but that transacting with Bitcoin in BTC terms is “fundamental.”