World, the biometric identity-verification project co-founded by Sam Altman, has released a new version of its World App that combines encrypted messaging with expanded cryptocurrency payment features. The update strengthens the project’s effort to link verified digital identity with everyday financial activity in a single mobile application.
The company presented the upgrade at its headquarters in San Francisco, where Altman and Co-Founder and CEO Alex Blania highlighted its focus on privacy, security, and usability amid a surge in AI-driven impersonation and fraud.
The new World Chat feature integrates end-to-end encrypted messaging directly into the World App. World states that the encryption offers protections compared to those of Signal, the privacy-focused messaging service. Messages remain visible only to the participants, which supports confidential communication.
World Chat also uses color-coded message bubbles to show verification status. Messages from users who completed the World biometric verification process appear in blue bubbles. Messages from unverified users appear in gray. This visual cue helps users identify whether they are communicating with a verified human identity while still keeping personal data private.
Profile photos in chat are subject to additional checks. The app compares the photo with the Orb image stored on the user’s device to reduce the risk of impersonation. World positions this design as a way to encourage verification without exposing biometric data on public servers.
World introduced chat in beta in March and now rolls it out as a core part of the app. The company hopes that a social layer will keep users more engaged and create more reasons to maintain a verified identity inside the ecosystem.
Alongside messaging, the World App upgrade significantly extends its crypto payment capabilities. The app already worked as a digital wallet; now it adds virtual bank accounts that connect traditional finance and crypto in one interface.
Users can receive their salaries directly into World App via these virtual accounts. They can also transfer funds from external bank accounts and convert them into supported digital assets. This structure enables Venmo-like send, deposit and withdraw flows, but with cryptocurrency as the main medium.
The app currently supports USDC and EURC stablecoins, wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), Ethereum (ETH) and more than 100 additional cryptocurrency tokens. It also supports World Chain native tokens and certain real-world asset (RWA) tokens, including tokenized gold. Users can swap and trade across these assets inside the app.
World allows people to use payment features even if they have not completed biometric verification. This approach lowers barriers for new users who want to test the wallet and crypto pay options before committing to eye-scanning or identity checks.
World builds its verification system around biometric scanning hardware known as the Orb. During enrollment, a user scans their face and iris in approximately 30 seconds. The Orb converts this data into an encrypted “IrisCode” that represents a unique World ID. The project aims to use this ID as a reusable “proof of personhood” across apps and services.
Tools for Humanity is rolling out smaller Orb Mini devices so people can scan their eyes without going to a dedicated installation. The company also hopes to eventually license this tech or build it into everyday gadgets, which could help the World system reach many more users.
World claims it wants to scale its network far beyond current levels and bring biometric identity, encrypted chat and crypto payments into one “super app.” The latest World App release signals that the project plans to grow by pairing secure identity with practical financial tools that users can apply in everyday transactions.
Also Read: OpenAI Drops GPT-5.2 to Outpace Google Gemini in AI Power Race