Online+ Key Feature: Ice Open Network Uncovers Encrypted Chat in Decentralized Social App

Ice Open Network (ION) has released details on the chat functionality within its Online+ decentralized social application, emphasizing end-to-end encryption and on-chain token transfers as part of a broader push toward user-controlled communication. The information stems from ION's recent blog post in its "Online+ Unpacked" series, alongside updates on the platform's development and ecosystem.

The highly anticipated dApp serves as ION's primary product, functioning as a social media module that merges Web2 interfaces with Web3 ownership models. The app enables users to manage profiles that serve as crypto wallets, own their data and content on-chain, and participate in activities without centralized oversight or data mining. Built on the ION Framework, it facilitates peer-to-peer payments across blockchains and acts as a hub for other decentralized apps.

The platform targets users transitioning from Web 2 to Web 3, offering password-free onboarding and immediate monetization options for creators through subscriptions, tips, and content boosts. Fees from these activities are burned to create deflationary pressure on the token supply. Additional features include stories with videos up to 60 seconds, customizable feeds, NFT handling, in-app notifications, and a built-in decentralized exchange for token trades without Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

The latest information is a follow-up to the protocol’s first iteration, which discussed user profiles on the dApp and how it serves as a wallet in the ION ecosystem. 

Online+ For Secure and Protected Messaging? 

According to the blog, private chat isn’t a feature, but the foundation for real connection in a decentralized world. The chat supports standard messaging elements, including text, media sharing, voice messages, and links, all of which are encrypted end-to-end by default. Encryption relies on the ION Framework's infrastructure, which incorporates local key generation, forward secrecy, and no central key escrow, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access messages.

"Messaging is essential to any social experience — no platform can truly empower users without respecting their right to communicate freely and securely. It’s how trust is built, how ideas spread, and how communities grow behind the scenes. That’s why on Online+, private chat isn’t a feature, but the foundation for real connection in a decentralized world."

A key aspect is on-chain integration, where user profiles serve as wallets, allowing token sends and receives to be made directly in chats without the need for external tools. Chats form part of an encrypted social graph tied to user identities, enabling unified posting and messaging without app switching. 

The post notes: "Every chat is part of the same encrypted, identity-linked social graph that powers your Online+ experience. That means: You’re not switching between apps to talk and post, Your messages and transactions live in the same trusted space, You carry your identity, not just your handle, into every interaction."

Encryption Mechanisms in Online+ Chat

The chat system in Online+ utilizes end-to-end encryption from the outset, ensuring that messages remain private between the sender and recipient. 

On privacy, the blog states: "Chat in Online+ is end-to-end encrypted from the start. Every message is protected — from sender to recipient — with keys only you control. No platform access or server-side visibility, and no ability for Online+ or any third party to read, intercept, or mine your conversations. This is made possible by the ION Framework’s encryption infrastructure, which uses local key generation, forward secrecy, and no central key escrow. In simple terms: only you and your recipient can ever read your messages."

This encryption setup blocks unauthorized access and data mining. It prevents conversation-based profiling, contact scraping for recommendations, and data breaches. The approach relies on the ION Framework, which generates keys locally on user devices and employs forward secrecy to protect past messages even if future keys are compromised. No central authority holds escrow keys, thereby reducing risks associated with platform-side vulnerabilities.

Comparison to Traditional Messaging Platforms

Traditional messaging platforms often collect user data from chats to improve algorithms and models. In traditional platforms, chat is as much a tool for engagement for users as it is a goldmine for behavioral data for the companies that operate the platform. Your messages train their models, and your patterns feed their algorithms. Online+ flips that logic by giving users control over chats, promoting connection through communication, and offering value exchange on users’ terms. 

In centralized systems, companies may access chat data for advertising or content moderation purposes, which can lead to potential leaks or misuse. Online+ avoids this by decentralizing the infrastructure, where messages and transactions occur within an encrypted, identity-linked social graph. 

Available and Upcoming Features

Online+ has rolled out several chat features focused on security and functionality. Currently available features include end-to-end encryption, on-chain token transfers in chats, one-on-one messaging, and integrated wallet-profile identities. 

These live features ensure protected one-on-one conversations with built-in financial tools. Upcoming additions, such as group chats and channels, will expand community interactions, while moderation tools will enable users to manage discussions effectively. The encryption will apply to these new elements, maintaining privacy standards.

The "Online+ Unpacked" blog series, where this information appears, plans to continue exploring related topics. The next installment will examine encrypted messaging's role in digital sovereignty and how token sends in chats enable peer-to-peer engagement.

Online+ Development: The Story So Far

Online+ is now in early access for 3,000 creators and over 100 Web3 partners, with more than 1,000 verified creators onboarded, representing a combined audience exceeding 500 million. The app gained approval from the Apple App Store and Google Play in July 2025, although its launch faced delays to refine the consensus mechanism and improve scalability. 

Public access is expected soon, starting with waitlist users, after beta testing for feed optimizations and battery efficiency is completed. $ION token listings on exchanges are slated for late August 2025. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Online+ in the Ice Open Network?

Online+ is a decentralized social app on the Ice Open Network where profiles function as wallets, allowing users to own their data and content while integrating encrypted messaging and token transfers.

What chat features are available in Online+ now?

Available features include end-to-end encryption by default, on-chain token transfers within chats, one-on-one messaging, and wallet profile integration.

When will Online+ launch publicly?

The public launch is expected soon after early access, with waitlist openings following recent beta testing and infrastructure updates. However, no specific date has been confirmed.

Conclusion

Online+ currently provides end-to-end encrypted one-on-one chats with on-chain token transfers, integrated wallet profiles, and basic messaging tools, while preparing group chats, channels, and moderation features. Built on ION's Layer-1 blockchain, it enables user-owned data and interactions across social and financial elements, with early access supporting creator onboarding and ecosystem partnerships.

Sources:

• Ice Open Network Blog - Online+ Unpacked: Chat Edition: https://ice.io/blog/online-unpacked-chat
• Ice Open Network whitepaper: https://ice.io/whitepaper 
• Online+ Early access goes live: https://ice.io/early-access-to-online-is-live-for-creators-and-partners