World, the biometric ID verification project co-founded by Sam Altman, has officially launched the newest version of its app, introducing a suite of features designed to make digital interactions both secure and social. The app now includes encrypted messaging and an expanded cryptocurrency payment system, marking a major step in World’s mission to verify human users in an increasingly AI-driven digital world.
Founded by Tools for Humanity in 2019, World initially gained attention with its biometric ID system and the original app launched in 2023. With concerns over AI-generated digital fakes on the rise, the company emphasizes creating a “proof of human” system that separates real users from bots. During a small event at World’s San Francisco headquarters, Altman and CEO Alex Blania showcased the app, highlighting its role in building a new web3-based economic model centered on privacy and trust.
The app’s new messaging feature, World Chat, provides end-to-end encryption similar to Signal, ensuring that conversations remain private. A unique color-coded system alerts users to whether the person they’re communicating with has been verified, encouraging verification and building confidence in online interactions. Chat was initially tested in beta earlier this year, and the public launch aims to make social communication a core component of the World experience.
Alongside messaging, World has expanded its digital wallet functionality. Users can now send, receive, and store cryptocurrency directly in the app, receive paychecks through virtual bank accounts, and convert traditional funds into crypto. These features are available even for those who have not completed World’s biometric verification, lowering barriers for new users. The company hopes that these more social and functional features will increase adoption and engagement.
World’s unique identity verification process scans a user’s iris via the Orb device, converting it into a secure digital World ID. While only 20 million people have been scanned so far, the company aims to scale to a billion users. To make verification more convenient, World has introduced hand-held Orb Minis that allow users to scan their eyes at home. This innovation could simplify access to verification, further expanding World’s ecosystem of services.
source: techcrunch