Tools for Humanity is expanding its World App, co-founded by Sam Altman, toward a super-app model, integrating encrypted messaging, global financial access, and proof of humanness. The company unveiled the upgraded World App at an "Unwrapped" event held at their San Francisco headquarters. This transformation aims to provide a comprehensive digital tool in the evolving AI landscape.
The latest version of World App includes World Chat, an end-to-end encrypted messenger, and expanded cryptocurrency payment capabilities. The goal is to offer digital "proof of human" tools to differentiate real individuals from AI-generated entities. Altman highlighted the challenge of identifying unique individuals while preserving their privacy.
World Chat, a key feature, uses the XMTP protocol, meeting security standards similar to Signal, but without needing a phone number or collecting messaging metadata. The platform employs a color-coded system linked to the World ID for identity verification. Blue speech bubbles with a World ID gem signify a verified human through the biometric Orb system. This verification aims to foster trust and combat impersonation and fake accounts.
Beyond messaging, the update enhances the app's financial functionality, working similarly to Venmo with seamless cryptocurrency transactions. Users can access and utilize digital assets across borders within the app. The app supports virtual bank accounts, enabling users to receive paychecks. New payment tools allow fee-free USDC conversion and in-chat transactions, supporting over 100 tokens.
Tools for Humanity also introduced new World ID features, making digital interactions more trustworthy, especially in areas like online dating. These updates follow the April announcement of a partnership with Match Group, starting with Tinder Japan. The new World ID capabilities include a verified human badge to build trust and reduce impersonation, and privacy-preserving age assurance, where individuals can prove they are above a certain age without revealing identity details.
Tiago Sada, Chief Product Officer at Tools for Humanity, stated that World App allows people to communicate, send digital assets, save, invest, and use apps in one place, offering a glimpse into a human-centered digital ecosystem.
Nearly 40 million people are currently using the app, and almost 20 million have verified World IDs. In September 2025, World App was the most-used digital wallet globally by monthly active users. The adoption rate is growing, with a new user signing up every 1.7 seconds and someone verifying at an Orb every 3.6 seconds.
World's biometric verification system, which scans irises using its Orb device, now has portable Orb Minis for at-home verification. The company aims to verify one billion people.
These updates mark a move towards a safer and more trustworthy digital environment. By integrating proof of human identity, messaging, and financial access, Tools for Humanity aims to create a foundational infrastructure for a more human-centric internet. The new World App is being rolled out globally on iOS and Android.
