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Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has long been one of the most popular spaces for crypto talk. So it feels only natural that its owner, Elon Musk, is now bringing seamless crypto payments to the platform through bitcoin tipping. With a new integration of BitBit, the self-custodial social wallet, X users can instantly send and receive bitcoin directly in their browser. Tip receivers do not need to own a crypto wallet to be sent bitcoin, as it is delivered directly to their X username. They will then be given 21 days to create a wallet to accept the crypto payment, otherwise, a refund will automatically be returned to the sender. X has allowed its users to tip each other via the platform since 2021, but this is the first time that self-custodial crypto payments meet the social media platform directly.
In this article, we take a closer look at the history of tipping on X, the recent introduction of crypto payments in the form of bitcoin tipping, and how this affords users with greater control and financial autonomy for everyday social payments.
The initial rollout of Tips did not process payments natively. Instead, users could link their accounts to third-party services such as Cash App, Venmo, Patreon or GoFundMe. For those interested in crypto, the integration extended to Strike, a payments processor that leveraged the Bitcoin Lightning Network to send fast, low-fee transactions. In practice, this meant that when a user clicked on the Tips icon, they were redirected to an external service to complete the payment, while X acted as a gateway and facilitator, not as a wallet provider.
Tipping on X is not entirely new. The feature first appeared in September 2021 when the platform was still known as Twitter. At the time, the company rolled out a “Tips” button on user profiles, allowing followers to send small payments as a way to support creators, commentators and community voices. Twitter was among the first major social media platforms to build tipping into its core design, allowing content creators to make money directly from their followers.
Peer-to-peer tipping with crypto payments on X
Fast forward to 2025 and tipping on X has taken a major leap. Instead of routing money through a third-party crypto payment processor like Strike, users can now send peer-to-peer crypto payments directly on the platform. The integration with BitBit, a self-custodial social wallet, means users no longer need to go through third-party payment processors to send funds as tips for their favorite creators; they remain in full control. As for recipients, when someone sends bitcoin, it goes straight to their X username; they are not required to hold a crypto wallet. Following tipping, receivers are granted a 21 days grace period to set up a wallet and claim the funds. If not, they are sent back to the tipper.
This is a major innovation and music to X users’ ears, as the social media platform is one of the most popular for crypto announcements, discussions and market sentiment. It puts X ahead of most platforms in the journey to normalize crypto payments as part of everyday life and social interaction. It also means that tips aren’t limited to fiat currencies and can travel seamlessly across borders to users anywhere in the world, democratizing access to funds and tipping where legacy banking infrastructure may be lacking. By moving away from traditional intermediaries and toward self-custodial systems, X is giving users more control over how they send, receive, and hold value online.
Greater control and autonomy for social media users
By giving users the ability to accept payment in crypto without needing approval from a bank or centralized service, X is tapping into the idea that they should have direct ownership over the value they generate online. For many creators, this means bypassing traditional fees, delays, and restrictions that come with legacy payment systems. Being able to accept crypto payments directly from a global audience not only expands earning potential, it reinforces the borderless nature of digital money. Bitcoin tipping will help move X closer towards Musk’s vision of the platform as an “everything app”, empowering users through social connection and financial autonomy.
To find out more about crypto trends, onboarding crypto payments through ForumPay or to speak to a member of the team, visit www.forumpay.com.
