World Unveils Its Comprehensive 'Super App' Featuring Cryptocurrency Payments and Encrypted Messaging

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO - JULY 11: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was seen arriving at the Sun Valley Lodge for the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 11, 2023. Each July, influential figures from media, finance, technology, and politics gather at the Sun Valley Resort for this exclusive weeklong event. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) | Image Credits: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images World, the biometric ID verification initiative co-founded by Sam Altman, has launched an updated version of its application today, introducing several innovative features such as integrated encrypted messaging and a comprehensive platform for sending and receiving cryptocurrency akin to Venmo. Founded in 2019 by the startup Tools for Humanity, World first made its app available in 2023. Amid rising concerns about AI-generated misinformation, the company aims to offer digital tools that verify human identity. During a recent gathering at World’s San Francisco headquarters, Altman and co-founder and CEO Alex Blania showcased the updated app, now described as a 'super app,' which was further elaborated upon by the product team. Altman noted that the origins of World stem from discussions with Blania regarding the need for a new economic framework rooted in web3 principles. 'Identifying unique individuals while maintaining privacy is incredibly challenging,' Altman mentioned. The new messaging feature, World Chat, employs end-to-end encryption to ensure the security of user communications, similar to Signal, and incorporates color-coded speech bubbles to inform users of whether their conversation partner has been verified by World’s system, encouraging users to seek verification. Although World Chat entered beta in March, Thursday also marked the unveiling of a more extensive digital payment system, enabling users to send and receive cryptocurrencies. While the World app has served as a digital wallet for some time, the latest version expands its functionalities. Users can now receive direct deposits from paychecks into the World App and convert funds into cryptocurrency without needing verification by World’s authentication system. Tiago Sada, World’s chief product officer, emphasized that the addition of chat features responded to user desires for a more interactive app experience. 'Feedback indicated a demand for a more social World app,' Sada stated, highlighting World Chat as a confidential communication solution. 'Developing a feature-rich messenger akin to WhatsApp or Telegram while offering the enhanced security of Signal required significant effort,' Sada explained. Originally named Worldcoin, World employs a distinctive authentication method: users have their eyes scanned at company offices, where a device called the Orb converts their iris into a unique encrypted digital code. This verified World ID facilitates interaction within World’s service ecosystem accessible via its app. The incorporation of more social-oriented features is a strategic move aimed at enhancing app usage, as effective scaling of the verification process remains the company's main hurdle. Altman has expressed a goal of eye-scanning a billion individuals, but Tools for Humanity reports having scanned fewer than 20 million. Recognizing that waiting in line to have one’s eyes scanned may deter potential users, the company has initiated efforts to streamline its verification process. In April, Tools for Humanity introduced Orb Minis—handheld devices that allow users to scan their eyes conveniently at home. Blania previously shared aspirations of transforming the Orb Minis into mobile point-of-sale devices or collaborating with manufacturers to utilize their ID sensor technology. Such advancements could significantly lower the verification barrier, potentially boosting adoption rates.