World App introduces encrypted chat, virtual accounts, and support for over 100 crypto assets, combining verified identities with global payments in a single “super app.”
Summary
- World App now features encrypted chat, where verified users are shown as blue bubbles, enhancing privacy and providing anti-bot protections.
- New virtual accounts enable users to receive salaries or bank transfers and convert funds into USDC and other supported tokens directly within the app.
- The update facilitates in-chat crypto payments, swaps across over 100 assets including WLD, WBTC, ETH, and tokenized gold, in addition to expanding merchant access.
World, the biometric identity-verification initiative spearheaded by Sam Altman, has launched an upgraded application featuring encrypted chat services and integrated cryptocurrency payment features, as announced on Thursday.
World App Upgrade
The new version allows users to send, deposit, and withdraw cryptocurrency through the World Wallet and virtual accounts, akin to the payment platform Venmo, as outlined in the announcement. The app supports USDC, EURC, and wrapped Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with more than 100 additional cryptocurrency tokens.
World initially unveiled its application in 2023, emphasizing its goal to provide tools for verifying human identity amid rising AI manipulation capabilities.
The app upgrade was revealed on Thursday at World’s headquarters in San Francisco, with presentations by Altman and World co-founder and CEO Alex Blania. The development team labeled the update a “super app” prior to the product team’s feature details.
According to a report by Mezha, Altman highlighted that identifying unique individuals while maintaining privacy poses significant challenges.
The chat feature showcases blue message bubbles for verified users and gray bubbles for unverified individuals to maintain conversation privacy. Profile pictures are verified against Orb images stored on users’ devices.
In May, World rolled out its iris-scanning project for U.S. customers. This process requires users to scan their face and iris for about 30 seconds, generating a unique IrisCode for identity verification.
The World app previously served as a digital wallet, but the new version adds virtual bank accounts. Users can now receive salary payments directly in the World App and deposit from bank accounts, allowing them to convert funds to cryptocurrency, as per the report.
The platform facilitates swaps and trades across more than 100 assets, including World Chain native tokens and real-world asset tokens like tokenized gold, according to the company.
This updated application embodies the company’s strategy to broaden partnerships and create a more integrated ecosystem tailored to enhancing cryptocurrency adoption, as stated in the announcement.
