Sam Altman strongly promotes the release of the World App with upgraded encrypted chat software, offering a new integrated experience for chat and transactions

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman co-founded the biometric authentication project World, which recently launched a new version, World App. This super app combines “encrypted chat software” and “payment wallet,” aiming to create a decentralized communication and financial platform for the Web3 era by integrating virtual accounts, cryptocurrency transfers, and revenue mechanisms. Founded in 2019 by the startup Tools for Humanity, World first released its app in 2023 and now introduces a major upgrade, further demonstrating Sam Altman’s dedication to building “real identity verification” and “privacy communication ecosystems.”

At the launch event in San Francisco, Sam Altman and co-founder Alex Blania appeared to speak. They emphasized World’s core mission — to help distinguish “real humans” from “bots” in an era flooded with AI-generated content. Sam Altman stated that recognizing unique individuals while protecting privacy is indeed a formidable challenge, and World’s new features are designed to address this issue.

World Chat: Encrypted Messaging Software Using Color Bubbles to Identify Real People

The newly launched communication feature, “World Chat,” is the highlight of this upgrade. It uses end-to-end encryption to ensure conversation security, with encryption levels comparable to the privacy-focused Signal messaging app. More creatively, the system uses differently colored chat bubbles to indicate whether the conversation partner has passed “World ID verification” — blue bubbles represent verified real humans, while gray bubbles indicate unverified identities. This design provides a visual identity verification cue for encrypted chat software and grants users the right to be informed, allowing them to confirm whether their chat partner is a real person.

World Chat was initially released as a beta version in the first half of this year. Users can not only send and receive payments within personal chat rooms but also split bills and track payment statuses in group chats. Transfers can be packaged as birthday gifts or holiday greetings, with custom animations, creating a humanized encrypted payment experience. All transfers are zero-fee, borderless, and completed instantly.

With this update, Mini Apps have also officially arrived in World Chat. Third-party prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, as well as applications for gaming, savings tools, and more, can operate directly within the chat window. Users can interact, trade, or play without leaving the chat interface, achieving a truly one-stop experience.

Seamless Payment Experience: Connecting Fiat and Cryptocurrency

While the World App previously had digital wallet features, the new version significantly expands its payment system capabilities. Users can now transfer cryptocurrencies via virtual bank accounts, receive payments, and even get paid salaries through virtual accounts. More flexibly, users can deposit fiat currency directly into the app and convert it into cryptocurrencies, creating a seamless bridge between fiat and crypto assets. Notably, users do not need to pass World’s iris verification to use these payment features, greatly lowering the barrier to entry.

This design makes the World App a bridge connecting traditional finance and the crypto world. For ordinary users who are not yet deeply involved in cryptocurrencies, they can gradually explore crypto assets within a familiar fiat framework; for active on-chain users, World Chat provides a native Web3 communication experience.

High-Yield Earn Feature: Dual Token Options with USDC and WLD

The newly launched “Earn” feature offers attractive digital asset yield opportunities for users verified via World ID. Specifically, the first $1,000 USDC can enjoy an annual percentage yield (APY) of over 15%; the first 1,000 WLD tokens can earn an 18% APY. These are quite competitive yields in the current crypto market, helping attract more users to lock in their assets.

World Product Director Tiago Sada said that adding chat functionality was in response to community demand, creating a more interactive experience. He described World Chat as “a feature-rich encrypted messaging app that rivals WhatsApp or Telegram in functionality but matches Signal in security” — a positioning that precisely addresses the market’s demand for privacy-focused communication combined with financial features.

From World Chat to payment upgrades and yield mechanisms, this comprehensive upgrade of the World App marks Sam Altman’s effort to transform World from a simple identity verification tool into an integrated crypto ecosystem platform that combines communication, payments, and asset management.