Sending Bitcoin through SMS/Text Messaging?

[davis196]

I'm looking for a way to send Bitcoin to people in countries which lack Internet access. After all, being able to send Bitcoin in a safe and secure way over SMS/Text messaging would prove to be extremely convenient for "offline" transactions. For once, I've heard about a crypto service which allowed people to send Bitcoin over SMS/Text messaging. But I can't recall its name. Still though, it relies on a central operator/middleman. I'd prefer a solution that would allow me to send BTC though SMS/Text messaging in the most decentralized way possible.

Do you think it's possible to do this? Are you aware of any methods to sent BTC through SMS/Text messaging without relying on third parties? If it cannot be done in a decentralized manner, I'd still like to know if there are mainstream companies offering such possibility to Bitcoin users. Thanks in advance.

If you want to send bitcoin without internet access,just print some paper bitcoins and send them via post mail.I think this is way more secure than SMS/Text Messaging.I've never heard about a crypto service that allows sending cryptocurrencies via SMS.Maybe there are some to be launched,but I doubt that they are effective and working without any technical issues.If you ever send BTC to a guy that doesn't have intrnet connection,how could this guy use those bitcoins to buy anything???He doesn't have internet.Have you ever thought about that?

[minairia3]

The transaction may happen but the bitcoin is not moving at all on the blockchain, so what you're trading is mostly private key or a raw transaction as mentioned above. It is a bad idea as the sender can easily create a copy of the private key and then move the money first when he get internet access. You need something like opendime if you want to be safe, but obviously you can't do it through sms.

So the idea of OP isnt safe and secure. But to be honest, that's a great one if we can do tha tranasaction offline. How come the bitcoin cant move as transactions already initiated already?

Did you mean sat2.io ?
I haven't tested it by myself, so obviously use at your own risk.

So this platform uses sms for bitcoin transactions? I will check it and see hows the process. I really into the idea of OP. This will be a good innovation if someone can do or improve the blockchain transaction without any use of internet.

[abel1337]

We have some frauds happening through that like SIM swapping, so people should take extra caution if such transaction would be made through SMS. I use SMS a lot in communication, and sending money or cryptos from it would prove convenience. There are already same payment system that we already use except that it isn't Bitcoin, and that is GCash.

If such method of sending of bitcoin would be done, it would need to comply to each network we currently have right now. In my country, we almost have 3 and more networks, so compliance is required before such transaction would be done.

Right, We all know that sim cards have weak security and can be easily stolen by someone. I think it is an unsafe way of sending bitcoins and it can also produce a new way of hacking that can make sim users very open for the threat of hacking.

But if this happens. If someone attempts this to make possible, This can be an innovation to the technology of blockchain. Thus I think it won't be marketized by people.

[OmegaStarScream]

As suggested by @LoyceMobile, you have Sat2.io (using the lightning network). I've used the service in the past, and it works just fine. But keep in mind that:

- The service is not decentralized. If they shut down, your funds are lost.
- The receiver must have a lightning network wallet in order to receive the funds (I believe only Bluewallet is supported).
- You can send up to 0.0425BTC (LN limit). If you try to send a higher amount, you'll get an error.

[Yatsan]

You are trying to connect an offline world into an online one... You need a medium to do it. The whole point of bitcoin is to have a synchronized ledger which is distributed around the globe on different nodes, which at the end of the day you are trusting because the bitcoin's code says so, you are not just trusting the middle man but the middlemen while you use the Bitcoin network, Middlemen aren't necessarily always evil...  I don't think it can happen without us achieving quantum entanglement of sorts and rewriting the bitcoin code...

Is not bitcoin the solution to middle-men? most likely the banks? Or if so, then using text messaging to send bitcoins eill not be done offline at all since there will be an online middle-men for them but I'm still clueless not even a single idea on how to send bitcoin in offline mode. I thought of a QR code to be scanned with specific amount. And I don't think quantum computer can't do that for some reason. Aside, if this happen sending bitcoins would be a lot more risky and prone to sending to incorrect recipient. Not a fan of this idea.

However, this can be done on an individual scale without much hassle... All you need to do is set up a server which will check for incoming messages on a sim ^{( you can find plenty of guides around on how you can receive SMS on your PC by connecting your sim )} and then broadcast it for you... All you need is to have a basic knowledge of python. You can simply run a coroutine which checks for received messages every minute, an hour or whatever you want the duration to be and broadcasts the signed transaction in the SMS via an API. You can find plenty of APIs which you can use to broadcast Signed Bitcoin Transactions, Basically eliminating the middleman in this case. however, I don't see how it can harm someone even if it's being run centrally... This doesn't need to be a centralized service where you let an X organization share your private keys or own them all together but simply a service which pushes your signed transactions...

Still private keys are involve wherein the risk is higher than using it conventional. Eliminating the middle-men, bitcoin can even without this, just imagine people starts to use crypto which is decentralized than stocks and banking. This would be a lot more complex.

[joniboini]

So the idea of OP isnt safe and secure. But to be honest, that's a great one if we can do tha tranasaction offline. How come the bitcoin cant move as transactions already initiated already?

I don't mean a transaction broadcast on the blockchain by 'transaction', but simply a buy & sell agreement between 2 parties. It is not possible for them to move a bitcoin by sending a text unless it contains signed raw transaction details and then somebody published it through the network (or any communication channel that the miner/node use). Which is why one of the possible scenarios is probably a private key exchange as mentioned above. Another workaround exists but some are not decentralized or has more risk.

[Sanugarid]

We have some frauds happening through that like SIM swapping, so people should take extra caution if such transaction would be made through SMS. I use SMS a lot in communication, and sending money or cryptos from it would prove convenience. There are already same payment system that we already use except that it isn't Bitcoin, and that is GCash.

If such method of sending of bitcoin would be done, it would need to comply to each network we currently have right now. In my country, we almost have 3 and more networks, so compliance is required before such transaction would be done.

Right, We all know that sim cards have weak security and can be easily stolen by someone. I think it is an unsafe way of sending bitcoins and it can also produce a new way of hacking that can make sim users very open for the threat of hacking.

But if this happens. If someone attempts this to make possible, This can be an innovation to the technology of blockchain. Thus I think it won't be marketized by people.

Indeed, there are some things that sim cards have maybe that transaction using sms or text messages is not yet possible as of now. That could haopen if they innovated the security of the sim cards. There's no doubt that there is some projects will try that to make it possible.
up

You are trying to connect an offline world into an online one... You need a medium to do it. The whole point of bitcoin is to have a synchronized ledger which is distributed around the globe on different nodes, which at the end of the day you are trusting because the bitcoin's code says so, you are not just trusting the middle man but the middlemen while you use the Bitcoin network, Middlemen aren't necessarily always evil...  I don't think it can happen without us achieving quantum entanglement of sorts and rewriting the bitcoin code...

Is not bitcoin the solution to middle-men? most likely the banks? Or if so, then using text messaging to send bitcoins eill not be done offline at all since there will be an online middle-men for them but I'm still clueless not even a single idea on how to send bitcoin in offline mode. I thought of a QR code to be scanned with specific amount. And I don't think quantum computer can't do that for some reason. Aside, if this happen sending bitcoins would be a lot more risky and prone to sending to incorrect recipient. Not a fan of this idea.

However, this can be done on an individual scale without much hassle... All you need to do is set up a server which will check for incoming messages on a sim ^{( you can find plenty of guides around on how you can receive SMS on your PC by connecting your sim )} and then broadcast it for you... All you need is to have a basic knowledge of python. You can simply run a coroutine which checks for received messages every minute, an hour or whatever you want the duration to be and broadcasts the signed transaction in the SMS via an API. You can find plenty of APIs which you can use to broadcast Signed Bitcoin Transactions, Basically eliminating the middleman in this case. however, I don't see how it can harm someone even if it's being run centrally... This doesn't need to be a centralized service where you let an X organization share your private keys or own them all together but simply a service which pushes your signed transactions...

Still private keys are involve wherein the risk is higher than using it conventional. Eliminating the middle-men, bitcoin can even without this, just imagine people starts to use crypto which is decentralized than stocks and banking. This would be a lot more complex.

That is really the main problem. I can say that sending bitcoin is not yet possible. Using sms is an offline transmission wherein you are sending message to a particular number, hiw coyld your wallet be updated. Maybe that is the problem that the developers will do if they want that to happen.

[freedomgo]

I've heard of this in the past, maybe around 2015-2016 when I was still new in crypto.
Regarding your question whether if its possible to have a decentralized way of sending SMS,, I don't think there is, just like the internet, we need telcos in order to use it and therefore we also need a telco on this one, however, I think this idea might be realize in the future due to advancement of the technology.

[Janation]

I don't know if it would be great but isn't Blockchain holds the record of every transaction.
And it would be hard to verify if the transaction has been confirmed if it would just be an offline transaction.

That is the reason we will be needing a medium or a third party to do it.

Text Messages is an offline way of sending messages while doing a transaction, for example, sending Bitcoin or receiving Bitcoin needs to be online. Maybe those texts can be of confirmation for that medium to send Bitcoins to this wallet. That would be hard since, with a lot of scams going over cryptocurrencies, it is hard to trust a party who will be doing that. What I know is this one though,

https://news.bitcoin.com/how-to-send-bitcoin-cash-via-text-messages-to-anyone-with-a-mobile-phone

[White Christmas]

I've heard of this in the past, maybe around 2015-2016 when I was still new in crypto.
Regarding your question whether if its possible to have a decentralized way of sending SMS,, I don't think there is, just like the internet, we need telcos in order to use it and therefore we also need a telco on this one, however, I think this idea might be realize in the future due to advancement of the technology.

Yes, maybe this sending bitcoin through the used of sms or texting will be worked somehow on the near future because right now I think it would be not possible because if it will be just through sms or texting the sending of the bitcoin then probably there would be some problem when it terms to its security because texting message was very easy to use even though if someone gets your phone they can eventually transfer bitcoin by just sending an sms to the another user. But I hope that it may happen on the near future as part of a advancement of crypto.

[imstillthebest]

if im not mistaken i  think i already seen simillar like this before . it was a local payment solution where you can send and recieve money and yes you can do them via sms/text message .  it was a centralized kind too  but it does not matter at all and people dont care that time if they will be using centralized and decentralized system but what important the most is the convinience . in the case of bitcoin and in crypto i do think its possible also where they will only use a third party to process the transaction online

[alexsandria]

if im not mistaken i  think i already seen simillar like this before . it was a local payment solution where you can send and recieve money and yes you can do them via sms/text message .  it was a centralized kind too  but it does not matter at all and people dont care that time if they will be using centralized and decentralized system but what important the most is the convinience . in the case of bitcoin and in crypto i do think its possible also where they will only use a third party to process the transaction online

I think it is really possible in which you can send bitcoin through sms and there would be just a code that will send to your email or mobile number in where your wallet was connected and the code will be sent as a one time password and has a timer in which if it doesn't use, the code will eventually not available just like what is happening on the mobile banking in which you just need a confirmation from the user to process the request of sending money or in the case of it sending money through sms.

[AniviaBtc]

I'm looking for a way to send Bitcoin to people in countries which lack Internet access. After all, being able to send Bitcoin in a safe and secure way over SMS/Text messaging would prove to be extremely convenient for "offline" transactions. For once, I've heard about a crypto service which allowed people to send Bitcoin over SMS/Text messaging. But I can't recall its name. Still though, it relies on a central operator/middleman. I'd prefer a solution that would allow me to send BTC though SMS/Text messaging in the most decentralized way possible.

Do you think it's possible to do this? Are you aware of any methods to sent BTC through SMS/Text messaging without relying on third parties? If it cannot be done in a decentralized manner, I'd still like to know if there are mainstream companies offering such possibility to Bitcoin users. Thanks in advance.

If you want to send bitcoin without internet access,just print some paper bitcoins and send them via post mail.I think this is way more secure than SMS/Text Messaging.I've never heard about a crypto service that allows sending cryptocurrencies via SMS.Maybe there are some to be launched,but I doubt that they are effective and working without any technical issues.If you ever send BTC to a guy that doesn't have intrnet connection,how could this guy use those bitcoins to buy anything???He doesn't have internet.Have you ever thought about that?

I think it is hassle if sending bitcoin requires a load just like a normal text messages. I think it is better to send a bitcoin using internet connection and we should settle at the set up. It is really hard to perform sending bitcoin just like a text messages because of the signals, and text messages are more difficult to send because of the barriers via satellite. Mobile data and internet signals are more easy and reliable to use to send bitcoin, as our technology is advancing, I prefer to use the things that we have now just like the Wifi or internet.

[Thekool1s]

After reading through some comments, I feel like there is a lot of confusion about the subject. This is due to the fact that many people don't understand how Bitcoin works on the technical level. I will try to explain why Bitcoin can't work in an offline environment for now at least... Let's start with the basics.

Bitcoin is a ledger, this ledger is kept on thousands of PCs ^{( nodes )} around the globe. These nodes make up the Bitcoin's Network. This network can't exist if there is no consensus between the nodes. This consensus is only achieved if every one of them is running the same version of the bitcoin ledger... With thousands of transaction which are made every minute they need to be synced across the network to reach a consensus, hence why we have a block time of 10 minutes... Syncing takes time. If some nodes disagree with the majority they can split the chain creating a new coin like Bitcoin Cash etc... Even if it's a single transaction, the network will split, So given that's the case, Everybody can't be running a version of their own ledger, It has to be the one which the majority agrees upon. The current medium to sync the ledger is via the internet.

The issue with syncing the ledger with SMS is, for a person to make a transaction they will have to broadcast it every single miner/mining pool out there and same will be the case for the miners, they will have to broadcast the same version of the ledger to every user who wants to run a full node, which is something impossible at this point. The cost doesn't make sense given the international data rates and is an inefficient way to run the bitcoin network... so @Sanugarid there is nothing the developers can do about this.

@Yatsan Quantum entanglement will be a faster way to sync the Ledger. Quantum entanglement is basically the transfer of information instantaneously between two locations so syncing the ledger of become a lot quicker once we have the technology to do so. Read more into it.

The only secure way, for now, to send bitcoins via SMS is to send a message with your Signed Transaction to service which will broadcast it over the network for you. That's the closest you can get to transfer bitcoins via an SMS...

[princesspoppy]

I haven't heard of any project doing or working on this kind of stuff but it's kinda interesting tho, although I don't think if it is possible for all we know that bitcoin trasactions are done online (or are there any other way to do so, idk). If it is possible, well it will be convenient for most of us who do not like to pay high transaction fee and those who wants faster way of transaction.

[Reatim]

I haven't heard of any project doing or working on this kind of stuff but it's kinda interesting tho, although I don't think if it is possible for all we know that bitcoin trasactions are done online (or are there any other way to do so, idk). If it is possible, well it will be convenient for most of us who do not like to pay high transaction fee and those who wants faster way of transaction.

few posts above you explains it all here.

As suggested by @LoyceMobile, you have Sat2.io (using the lightning network). I've used the service in the past, and it works just fine. But keep in mind that:

- The service is not decentralized. If they shut down, your funds are lost.
- The receiver must have a lightning network wallet in order to receive the funds (I believe only Bluewallet is supported).
- You can send up to 0.0425BTC (LN limit). If you try to send a higher amount, you'll get an error.

that means yeah it is possible and i am very interesting trying this but with only small amount of currency because the way Omega explains it is the risk is really indeed and they can shut down the service and all your bitcoin are gone,this needs total trust for the service provider and also the Risk of losing is there.

[minairia3]

I don't mean a transaction broadcast on the blockchain by 'transaction', but simply a buy & sell agreement between 2 parties. It is not possible for them to move a bitcoin by sending a text unless it contains signed raw transaction details and then somebody published it through the network (or any communication channel that the miner/node use).

I see but bow about those platform (altcoins) have some direct usage of sending message thru contact can broadcast a real time transaction on the network? I dont kniw if your familiar with status netwrok. Ive seen they can work on sending funds thru messages.

Status is a multi-purpose communication tool that combines a peer-to-peer messenger, decentralized crypto-wallet, and Web3 browser

So this platform might not be also secured but can see that many users have downloaded the app. But this platform works on eth network but I know that bitcoin is same cause when it comes to network so I dont think it isnt possible.

[taufik0911]

I think it is really possible, it is indeed a problem if we want to do a transaction if there is no adequate signal and cannot make a transaction
this will be a problem going forward, maybe the developer needs to develop a device that allows users to make transactions offline

[joeperry]

In our country, there hasn't been any platform of offered services of this way. I must say that this idea is brilliant and can be very beneficial for everyone especially if developed into a secure and accurate transaction. However, the integration of an online based originated procedures and transactions into an offline mode could be really challenging due to the signal, recipients' response and recording of transactions. As per the mediator, the only difficulty that would be possibly encountered is the reliability and trustworthiness of the intermediary.

[gandame]

I was thinking,
If it is possible to receive a text message without any usage of internet connection, then this is also possible.
However, this might result to transparency or there should be a certain company/ies that will serve as a nationwide service provider for this to become possible. They are the one that will provide the tool that we will be using and the service assistance we need as a consumer.