diff --git a/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Database+Conversations.swift b/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Database+Conversations.swift
index 7279d5aa..6ddac127 100644
--- a/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Database+Conversations.swift
+++ b/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Database+Conversations.swift
@@ -300,7 +300,8 @@ nonisolated extension Database {
                     m.readPointer           <- member.readPointer?.value,
                     m.readPointerTimestamp  <- member.readPointerTimestamp?.timeIntervalSinceReferenceDate,
                     m.profilePictureBlobID          <- member.profilePicture?.blobID.data,
-                    m.profilePictureThumbnailBlobID <- member.profilePicture?.thumbnailBlobID.data
+                    m.profilePictureThumbnailBlobID <- member.profilePicture?.thumbnailBlobID.data,
+                    m.profilePictureThumbnailBlurhash <- member.profilePicture?.thumbnailBlurhash
                 )
             )
         }
@@ -393,7 +394,8 @@ nonisolated extension Database {
         }
         return ProfilePicture(
             blobID: BlobID(data: blobID),
-            thumbnailBlobID: BlobID(data: thumbnailBlobID)
+            thumbnailBlobID: BlobID(data: thumbnailBlobID),
+            thumbnailBlurhash: row[m.profilePictureThumbnailBlurhash]
         )
     }
 
diff --git a/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Schema.swift b/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Schema.swift
index cc64abbc..e3db86f6 100644
--- a/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Schema.swift
+++ b/Flipcash/Core/Controllers/Database/Schema.swift
@@ -187,8 +187,10 @@ nonisolated struct ConversationMemberTable: Sendable {
     let readPointer           = Expression <UInt64?> ("readPointer")
     let readPointerTimestamp  = Expression <Double?> ("readPointerTimestamp")
     // Profile-picture rendition blob ids, when the member has a picture.
-    let profilePictureBlobID          = Expression <Data?> ("profilePictureBlobID")
-    let profilePictureThumbnailBlobID = Expression <Data?> ("profilePictureThumbnailBlobID")
+    let profilePictureBlobID          = Expression <Data?>   ("profilePictureBlobID")
+    let profilePictureThumbnailBlobID = Expression <Data?>   ("profilePictureThumbnailBlobID")
+    // The thumbnail rendition's BlurHash preview, when present.
+    let profilePictureThumbnailBlurhash = Expression <String?> ("profilePictureThumbnailBlurhash")
 }
 
 // One row per message; cash content is decomposed across the amount columns
@@ -406,6 +408,7 @@ nonisolated extension Database {
                 t.column(conversationMemberTable.readPointerTimestamp)
                 t.column(conversationMemberTable.profilePictureBlobID)
                 t.column(conversationMemberTable.profilePictureThumbnailBlobID)
+                t.column(conversationMemberTable.profilePictureThumbnailBlurhash)
             })
         }
 
diff --git a/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Conversation/ConversationScreen.swift b/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Conversation/ConversationScreen.swift
index 2b2d5a87..ff162543 100644
--- a/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Conversation/ConversationScreen.swift
+++ b/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Conversation/ConversationScreen.swift
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@ struct ConversationScreen: View {
                     contact: contact,
                     conversationID: conversationID,
                     imageData: contact?.imageData ?? sessionContainer.tipAvatars.data(for: tipCounterpart?.userID),
+                    blurhash: tipCounterpart?.profilePicture?.thumbnailBlurhash,
                     width: max(navBarWidth - Self.titleSideInset * 2, 0),
                     onTap: titleTapAction
                 )
@@ -395,6 +396,7 @@ struct ConversationScreen: View {
                 name: controller.displayName(for: conversation),
                 avatarID: counterpart?.userID?.uuidString ?? conversationID.description,
                 imageData: tipAvatars.data(for: counterpart?.userID),
+                blurhash: counterpart?.profilePicture?.thumbnailBlurhash,
                 counterpart: .tipcode
             )
         }
@@ -456,6 +458,7 @@ private struct ConversationTitleItem: View {
     let contact: ResolvedContact?
     let conversationID: ConversationID?
     let imageData: Data?
+    let blurhash: String?
     let width: CGFloat
     let onTap: (() -> Void)?
 
@@ -465,6 +468,7 @@ private struct ConversationTitleItem: View {
             contact: contact,
             conversationID: conversationID,
             imageData: imageData,
+            blurhash: blurhash,
             width: width
         )
         if let onTap {
@@ -484,6 +488,7 @@ private struct ConversationTitleLabel: View {
     let contact: ResolvedContact?
     let conversationID: ConversationID?
     let imageData: Data?
+    let blurhash: String?
     let width: CGFloat
 
     var body: some View {
@@ -492,6 +497,7 @@ private struct ConversationTitleLabel: View {
                 id: contact?.contactId ?? conversationID?.description ?? title,
                 displayName: title,
                 imageData: imageData,
+                blurhash: blurhash,
                 size: 44
             )
             .accessibilityHidden(true)
diff --git a/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Main/Tips/TipConversationsScreen.swift b/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Main/Tips/TipConversationsScreen.swift
index 4399d3c7..4bcf166f 100644
--- a/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Main/Tips/TipConversationsScreen.swift
+++ b/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Main/Tips/TipConversationsScreen.swift
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ private struct TipConversationRow: View {
             title: title,
             subtitle: subtitle,
             imageData: sessionContainer.tipAvatars.data(for: counterpart?.userID),
+            blurhash: counterpart?.profilePicture?.thumbnailBlurhash,
             accessoryPlacement: .titleLine,
             accessibilityLabel: hasUnread ? "\(title), unread messages" : title,
             onTap: onTap
diff --git a/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Send/RecipientPickerScreen.swift b/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Send/RecipientPickerScreen.swift
index 4696b2c5..c6e7df58 100644
--- a/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Send/RecipientPickerScreen.swift
+++ b/Flipcash/Core/Screens/Send/RecipientPickerScreen.swift
@@ -392,6 +392,7 @@ struct RecipientRowScaffold<Trailing: View>: View {
     let title: String
     let subtitle: String?
     let imageData: Data?
+    var blurhash: String? = nil
     var accessoryPlacement: RecipientRowAccessoryPlacement = .trailingColumn
     let accessibilityLabel: String
     let onTap: () -> Void
@@ -404,6 +405,7 @@ struct RecipientRowScaffold<Trailing: View>: View {
                 title: title,
                 subtitle: subtitle,
                 imageData: imageData,
+                blurhash: blurhash,
                 accessoryPlacement: accessoryPlacement
             ) {
                 trailing
@@ -422,6 +424,7 @@ struct RecipientRowBody<Trailing: View>: View {
     let title: String
     let subtitle: String?
     let imageData: Data?
+    var blurhash: String? = nil
     var accessoryPlacement: RecipientRowAccessoryPlacement = .trailingColumn
     @ViewBuilder let trailing: Trailing
 
@@ -431,6 +434,7 @@ struct RecipientRowBody<Trailing: View>: View {
                 id: avatarID,
                 displayName: title,
                 imageData: imageData,
+                blurhash: blurhash,
                 size: 44
             )
             VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
diff --git a/Flipcash/Supporting Files/Info.plist b/Flipcash/Supporting Files/Info.plist
index 2171686f..426aa342 100644
--- a/Flipcash/Supporting Files/Info.plist	
+++ b/Flipcash/Supporting Files/Info.plist	
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 		<string>com.flipcash.app.openChat</string>
 	</array>
 	<key>SQLiteVersion</key>
-	<integer>25</integer>
+	<integer>26</integer>
 	<key>UIApplicationSceneManifest</key>
 	<dict>
 		<key>UIApplicationSupportsMultipleScenes</key>
diff --git a/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/Chat/ChatProfileCard.swift b/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/Chat/ChatProfileCard.swift
index 313b1f55..455a68a1 100644
--- a/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/Chat/ChatProfileCard.swift
+++ b/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/Chat/ChatProfileCard.swift
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ public struct ChatProfileCard: Hashable, Sendable, Codable {
     public var avatarID: String
     /// The contact's address-book thumbnail; nil renders the monogram placeholder.
     public var imageData: Data?
+    /// The counterpart's profile-picture BlurHash, shown as a blurred preview while
+    /// their avatar bytes load. Nil for address-book contacts.
+    public var blurhash: String?
     public var counterpart: Counterpart
 
     /// How the counterpart relates to the address book.
@@ -29,10 +32,11 @@ public struct ChatProfileCard: Hashable, Sendable, Codable {
         case tipcode
     }
 
-    public init(name: String, avatarID: String, imageData: Data?, counterpart: Counterpart) {
+    public init(name: String, avatarID: String, imageData: Data?, blurhash: String? = nil, counterpart: Counterpart) {
         self.name = name
         self.avatarID = avatarID
         self.imageData = imageData
+        self.blurhash = blurhash
         self.counterpart = counterpart
     }
 }
diff --git a/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/ProfilePicture.swift b/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/ProfilePicture.swift
index d73c9b90..24c6a983 100644
--- a/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/ProfilePicture.swift
+++ b/FlipcashCore/Sources/FlipcashCore/Models/ProfilePicture.swift
@@ -24,9 +24,14 @@ public struct ProfilePicture: Codable, Hashable, Sendable {
     /// The blob holding the avatar-sized rendition.
     public let thumbnailBlobID: BlobID
 
-    public init(blobID: BlobID, thumbnailBlobID: BlobID) {
-        self.blobID          = blobID
-        self.thumbnailBlobID = thumbnailBlobID
+    /// The thumbnail rendition's BlurHash, a compact blurred preview shown while
+    /// the bytes download. Nil when the server carried none.
+    public let thumbnailBlurhash: String?
+
+    public init(blobID: BlobID, thumbnailBlobID: BlobID, thumbnailBlurhash: String? = nil) {
+        self.blobID            = blobID
+        self.thumbnailBlobID   = thumbnailBlobID
+        self.thumbnailBlurhash = thumbnailBlurhash
     }
 }
 
@@ -44,7 +49,8 @@ extension ProfilePicture {
 
         self.init(
             blobID: blobID,
-            thumbnailBlobID: try container.decodeIfPresent(BlobID.self, forKey: .thumbnailBlobID) ?? blobID
+            thumbnailBlobID: try container.decodeIfPresent(BlobID.self, forKey: .thumbnailBlobID) ?? blobID,
+            thumbnailBlurhash: try container.decodeIfPresent(String.self, forKey: .thumbnailBlurhash)
         )
     }
 }
@@ -68,7 +74,8 @@ extension ProfilePicture {
 
         self.init(
             blobID: BlobID(data: original.blobID.value),
-            thumbnailBlobID: BlobID(data: thumbnail.blobID.value)
+            thumbnailBlobID: BlobID(data: thumbnail.blobID.value),
+            thumbnailBlurhash: thumbnail.blurhash
         )
     }
 }
@@ -87,4 +94,10 @@ private extension Flipcash_Blob_V1_Rendition {
     var pixelWidth: UInt32 {
         hasBlob ? blob.image.width : 0
     }
+
+    /// The rendition's BlurHash preview, or nil when the blob carries none.
+    var blurhash: String? {
+        guard hasBlob, !blob.image.blurhash.isEmpty else { return nil }
+        return blob.image.blurhash
+    }
 }
diff --git a/FlipcashCore/Tests/FlipcashCoreTests/ProfilePictureTests.swift b/FlipcashCore/Tests/FlipcashCoreTests/ProfilePictureTests.swift
index 41e9d9eb..f4ac3c3a 100644
--- a/FlipcashCore/Tests/FlipcashCoreTests/ProfilePictureTests.swift
+++ b/FlipcashCore/Tests/FlipcashCoreTests/ProfilePictureTests.swift
@@ -71,6 +71,60 @@ struct ProfilePictureTests {
         #expect(ProfilePicture(Flipcash_Blob_V1_Media()) == nil)
     }
 
+    /// The BlurHash is read off the same rendition chosen as the thumbnail — the
+    /// largest one — so the preview matches the bytes that will load.
+    @Test("Carries the selected thumbnail's BlurHash")
+    func carriesSelectedThumbnailBlurhash() throws {
+        let media = Self.media([
+            (role: .original,  id: 1, width: 1600, blurhash: ""),
+            (role: .thumbnail, id: 2, width: 64,   blurhash: "small"),
+            (role: .thumbnail, id: 3, width: 320,  blurhash: "large"),
+        ])
+
+        let picture = try #require(ProfilePicture(media))
+
+        #expect(picture.thumbnailBlobID == Self.blobID(3))
+        #expect(picture.thumbnailBlurhash == "large")
+    }
+
+    /// Legacy or still-processing media may carry no BlurHash; the empty proto
+    /// default maps to nil rather than an empty string.
+    @Test("BlurHash is nil when the thumbnail carries none")
+    func nilBlurhashWhenAbsent() throws {
+        let media = Self.media([
+            (role: .original,  id: 1, width: 1600, blurhash: ""),
+            (role: .thumbnail, id: 2, width: 320,  blurhash: ""),
+        ])
+
+        let picture = try #require(ProfilePicture(media))
+
+        #expect(picture.thumbnailBlurhash == nil)
+    }
+
+    /// A row written by a build that predates the field must still decode — the
+    /// missing key maps to nil, not a throw.
+    @Test("Decodes a JSON blob written before the BlurHash field existed")
+    func decodesLegacyJSONWithoutBlurhash() throws {
+        let picture = ProfilePicture(
+            blobID: Self.blobID(1),
+            thumbnailBlobID: Self.blobID(2),
+            thumbnailBlurhash: "abc"
+        )
+
+        // Strip the field to simulate a row from an earlier schema.
+        let encoded = try JSONEncoder().encode(picture)
+        var object = try #require(
+            try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: encoded) as? [String: Any]
+        )
+        object.removeValue(forKey: "thumbnailBlurhash")
+        let stripped = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: object)
+
+        let decoded = try JSONDecoder().decode(ProfilePicture.self, from: stripped)
+
+        #expect(decoded.thumbnailBlobID == Self.blobID(2))
+        #expect(decoded.thumbnailBlurhash == nil)
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Fixtures -
 
     private static func blobID(_ seed: UInt8) -> BlobID {
@@ -93,4 +147,24 @@ struct ProfilePictureTests {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    private static func media(
+        _ renditions: [(role: Flipcash_Blob_V1_Rendition.Role, id: UInt8, width: UInt32, blurhash: String)]
+    ) -> Flipcash_Blob_V1_Media {
+        Flipcash_Blob_V1_Media.with { media in
+            media.renditions = renditions.map { rendition in
+                Flipcash_Blob_V1_Rendition.with {
+                    $0.role   = rendition.role
+                    $0.blobID = .with { $0.value = blobID(rendition.id).data }
+                    $0.blob   = .with { metadata in
+                        metadata.mimeType = "image/jpeg"
+                        metadata.image = .with {
+                            $0.width = rendition.width
+                            $0.blurhash = rendition.blurhash
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/FlipcashTests/BlurHashTests.swift b/FlipcashTests/BlurHashTests.swift
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a7180992
--- /dev/null
+++ b/FlipcashTests/BlurHashTests.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+//
+//  BlurHashTests.swift
+//  FlipcashTests
+//
+
+import Foundation
+import Testing
+@testable import FlipcashUI
+
+@Suite("BlurHash Tests")
+struct BlurHashTests {
+
+    /// A valid 4×3-component hash from the BlurHash reference test vectors.
+    private let validHash = "LEHV6nWB2yk8pyo0adR*.7kCMdnj"
+
+    @Test("Decodes a valid hash to an image of the requested size")
+    func decodesValidHash() throws {
+        let image = try #require(BlurHash.decode(validHash, width: 32, height: 24))
+        #expect(image.size == CGSize(width: 32, height: 24))
+    }
+
+    @Test("Returns nil for nil or blank hashes")
+    func nilForNilOrBlank() {
+        #expect(BlurHash.decode(nil, width: 16, height: 16) == nil)
+        #expect(BlurHash.decode("", width: 16, height: 16) == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Returns nil when the declared component count doesn't match the length")
+    func nilForComponentMismatch() {
+        // Truncated hash: the size flag promises more components than the string carries.
+        let truncated = String(validHash.dropLast(4))
+        #expect(BlurHash.decode(truncated, width: 16, height: 16) == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Returns nil for non-positive dimensions")
+    func nilForNonPositiveDimensions() {
+        #expect(BlurHash.decode(validHash, width: 0, height: 16) == nil)
+        #expect(BlurHash.decode(validHash, width: 16, height: -1) == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Returns nil for characters outside the base-83 alphabet")
+    func nilForOutOfAlphabetCharacters() {
+        // 'é' is not part of the BlurHash alphabet.
+        let invalid = "L" + String(repeating: "é", count: validHash.count - 1)
+        #expect(BlurHash.decode(invalid, width: 16, height: 16) == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Cache returns nil for a nil or empty hash and decodes otherwise")
+    func cacheHandlesAbsentAndValidHashes() throws {
+        #expect(BlurHashCache.shared.image(for: nil) == nil)
+        #expect(BlurHashCache.shared.image(for: "") == nil)
+
+        let image = try #require(BlurHashCache.shared.image(for: validHash, width: 24, height: 24))
+        #expect(image.size == CGSize(width: 24, height: 24))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Chat/ChatProfileCardCell.swift b/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Chat/ChatProfileCardCell.swift
index bc0e0ea8..4df74b44 100644
--- a/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Chat/ChatProfileCardCell.swift
+++ b/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Chat/ChatProfileCardCell.swift
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ private struct ProfileCardView: View {
                 id: card.avatarID,
                 displayName: card.name,
                 imageData: card.imageData,
+                blurhash: card.blurhash,
                 size: 80
             )
             .accessibilityHidden(true)
diff --git a/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Images/BlurHash.swift b/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Images/BlurHash.swift
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2c1a259a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Images/BlurHash.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+//
+//  BlurHash.swift
+//  FlipcashUI
+//
+
+import UIKit
+
+/// Decoder for [BlurHash](https://blurha.sh) strings — the compact, blurred image preview that
+/// ships in a media item's `ImageMetadata`. Decode it into a tiny image and let the image layer
+/// scale it up as an instant placeholder while the real (larger) image downloads.
+///
+/// Ported from the public-domain reference implementation. A hash only encodes a handful of DCT
+/// components, so decode at a low resolution (a couple dozen pixels) — anything larger just wastes
+/// cycles for no visible gain.
+nonisolated public enum BlurHash {
+
+    /// Decodes `hash` into a `width`×`height` image, or nil when the string is malformed. `punch`
+    /// adjusts contrast (1 = as encoded).
+    public static func decode(_ hash: String?, width: Int, height: Int, punch: Float = 1) -> UIImage? {
+        guard let hash, hash.count >= 6, width > 0, height > 0 else { return nil }
+
+        let chars = Array(hash)
+
+        guard let sizeFlag = decode83(chars, 0, 1) else { return nil }
+        let numCompX = sizeFlag % 9 + 1
+        let numCompY = sizeFlag / 9 + 1
+        guard chars.count == 4 + 2 * numCompX * numCompY else { return nil }
+
+        guard let quantisedMaxAc = decode83(chars, 1, 2) else { return nil }
+        let maxAc = Float(quantisedMaxAc + 1) / 166
+
+        var colors = [SIMD3<Float>](repeating: .zero, count: numCompX * numCompY)
+        for i in 0..<colors.count {
+            if i == 0 {
+                guard let value = decode83(chars, 2, 6) else { return nil }
+                colors[i] = decodeDc(value)
+            } else {
+                let from = 4 + i * 2
+                guard let value = decode83(chars, from, from + 2) else { return nil }
+                colors[i] = decodeAc(value, maxAc * punch)
+            }
+        }
+
+        return composeImage(width: width, height: height, numCompX: numCompX, numCompY: numCompY, colors: colors)
+    }
+
+    private static func decode83(_ chars: [Character], _ from: Int, _ to: Int) -> Int? {
+        var result = 0
+        for i in from..<to {
+            guard let index = alphabetIndex[chars[i]] else { return nil }
+            result = result * 83 + index
+        }
+        return result
+    }
+
+    private static func decodeDc(_ colorEnc: Int) -> SIMD3<Float> {
+        SIMD3(
+            srgbToLinear(colorEnc >> 16 & 255),
+            srgbToLinear(colorEnc >> 8 & 255),
+            srgbToLinear(colorEnc & 255)
+        )
+    }
+
+    private static func decodeAc(_ value: Int, _ maxAc: Float) -> SIMD3<Float> {
+        SIMD3(
+            signPow(Float(value / (19 * 19) - 9) / 9) * maxAc,
+            signPow(Float(value / 19 % 19 - 9) / 9) * maxAc,
+            signPow(Float(value % 19 - 9) / 9) * maxAc
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// sign(value) * value² — the reference impl's quantisation curve.
+    private static func signPow(_ value: Float) -> Float {
+        let squared = value * value
+        return value < 0 ? -squared : squared
+    }
+
+    private static func srgbToLinear(_ colorEnc: Int) -> Float {
+        let v = Float(colorEnc) / 255
+        return v <= 0.04045 ? v / 12.92 : powf((v + 0.055) / 1.055, 2.4)
+    }
+
+    private static func linearToSrgb(_ value: Float) -> Int {
+        let v = min(max(value, 0), 1)
+        let srgb = v <= 0.0031308 ? v * 12.92 : 1.055 * powf(v, 1 / 2.4) - 0.055
+        return Int(srgb * 255 + 0.5)
+    }
+
+    private static func composeImage(
+        width: Int,
+        height: Int,
+        numCompX: Int,
+        numCompY: Int,
+        colors: [SIMD3<Float>]
+    ) -> UIImage? {
+        // Precompute the cosine basis for each axis so the inner pixel loop is just multiplies.
+        var cosX = [Float](repeating: 0, count: width * numCompX)
+        for x in 0..<width {
+            for i in 0..<numCompX {
+                cosX[x * numCompX + i] = cos(Float.pi * Float(x) * Float(i) / Float(width))
+            }
+        }
+        var cosY = [Float](repeating: 0, count: height * numCompY)
+        for y in 0..<height {
+            for j in 0..<numCompY {
+                cosY[y * numCompY + j] = cos(Float.pi * Float(y) * Float(j) / Float(height))
+            }
+        }
+
+        var pixels = [UInt8](repeating: 0, count: width * height * 4)
+        for y in 0..<height {
+            for x in 0..<width {
+                var color = SIMD3<Float>.zero
+                for j in 0..<numCompY {
+                    let cy = cosY[y * numCompY + j]
+                    for i in 0..<numCompX {
+                        let basis = cosX[x * numCompX + i] * cy
+                        color += colors[j * numCompX + i] * basis
+                    }
+                }
+                let offset = (y * width + x) * 4
+                pixels[offset]     = UInt8(linearToSrgb(color.x))
+                pixels[offset + 1] = UInt8(linearToSrgb(color.y))
+                pixels[offset + 2] = UInt8(linearToSrgb(color.z))
+                pixels[offset + 3] = 255
+            }
+        }
+
+        guard let provider = CGDataProvider(data: Data(pixels) as CFData) else { return nil }
+        guard let cgImage = CGImage(
+            width: width,
+            height: height,
+            bitsPerComponent: 8,
+            bitsPerPixel: 32,
+            bytesPerRow: width * 4,
+            space: CGColorSpaceCreateDeviceRGB(),
+            bitmapInfo: CGBitmapInfo(rawValue: CGImageAlphaInfo.premultipliedLast.rawValue),
+            provider: provider,
+            decode: nil,
+            shouldInterpolate: true,
+            intent: .defaultIntent
+        ) else { return nil }
+
+        return UIImage(cgImage: cgImage)
+    }
+
+    private static let alphabet = Array(
+        "0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz#$%*+,-.:;=?@[]^_{|}~"
+    )
+
+    private static let alphabetIndex: [Character: Int] =
+        Dictionary(uniqueKeysWithValues: alphabet.enumerated().map { ($1, $0) })
+}
+
+/// Process-wide cache of decoded BlurHash previews, so re-rendering an avatar doesn't re-run the
+/// decode. `NSCache` is thread-safe, so the same instance is read from any caller without extra
+/// synchronization.
+nonisolated public final class BlurHashCache: @unchecked Sendable {
+
+    public static let shared = BlurHashCache()
+
+    private let cache = NSCache<NSString, UIImage>()
+
+    private init() {
+        cache.countLimit = 200
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the decoded preview for `hash` at `width`×`height`, decoding and caching on a miss.
+    /// Returns nil when the hash is absent or malformed.
+    public func image(for hash: String?, width: Int = 24, height: Int = 24) -> UIImage? {
+        guard let hash, !hash.isEmpty else { return nil }
+
+        let key = "\(hash)@\(width)x\(height)" as NSString
+        if let cached = cache.object(forKey: key) {
+            return cached
+        }
+        guard let image = BlurHash.decode(hash, width: width, height: height) else { return nil }
+        cache.setObject(image, forKey: key)
+        return image
+    }
+}
diff --git a/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Views/Contacts/ContactAvatarView.swift b/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Views/Contacts/ContactAvatarView.swift
index 3a232966..ecf25f2c 100644
--- a/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Views/Contacts/ContactAvatarView.swift
+++ b/FlipcashUI/Sources/FlipcashUI/Views/Contacts/ContactAvatarView.swift
@@ -16,12 +16,14 @@ public struct ContactAvatarView: View {
     public let id: String
     public let displayName: String
     public let imageData: Data?
+    public let blurhash: String?
     public let size: CGFloat
 
-    public init(id: String, displayName: String, imageData: Data? = nil, size: CGFloat = 44) {
+    public init(id: String, displayName: String, imageData: Data? = nil, blurhash: String? = nil, size: CGFloat = 44) {
         self.id = id
         self.displayName = displayName
         self.imageData = imageData
+        self.blurhash = blurhash
         self.size = size
     }
 
@@ -32,6 +34,12 @@ public struct ContactAvatarView: View {
                 Image(uiImage: uiImage)
                     .resizable()
                     .aspectRatio(contentMode: .fill)
+            } else if let preview = BlurHashCache.shared.image(for: blurhash) {
+                // The picture is loading: show its BlurHash as an instant blurred
+                // preview until the bytes arrive.
+                Image(uiImage: preview)
+                    .resizable()
+                    .aspectRatio(contentMode: .fill)
             } else {
                 LinearGradient.avatarPlaceholder
                     .overlay {