What to know:

• Sam Altman’s blockchain venture, World Network, is entering the messaging space with its latest feature: World Chat.
• This feature, a “mini app” accessible through the World App wallet, provides special functionalities for users holding World Network’s digital passport, allowing them to scan their iris to verify their identity.
• World Chat is part of a broader effort to help distinguish human users from bots in the age of AI.

The new feature allows verified users to communicate with each other securely. According to Tools for Humanity, developers of World Network, “By connecting to World ID, World Chat enables you to confirm when you’re conversing with a validated human.”

For those not ready to engage with World Network’s iris-scanning apparatus, the chat feature remains accessible. The application takes design inspiration from Apple’s iMessage, with distinct color schemes indicating verification status: blue for confirmed users and grey for others.

Mini Apps were introduced in October 2024, and in 2025 alone, these have seen over 250 million interactions within the first two months.

Tiago Sada, head of product at Tools for Humanity, commented, “The World App’s popularity has surged this past year, and we frequently receive requests for a direct messaging feature. For tasks like sending money, handling transactions through chat feels more intuitive and engaging.”

World Chat will be available on the World App for both Android and iOS starting Thursday. Additionally, World Network is collaborating with social protocol Friends With Benefits and firms like Alchemy and Blockchain Capital to launch World Build, an incubator program supporting Mini App development.