Catenaa, Wednesday, September 23, 2026- World has launched a self-custodial financial app across more than 150 countries, combining stablecoin payments, cross-border transfers, earning products and virtual accounts with its World ID identity system.
Called World Money, the app allows users to hold balances linked to eight currencies and move digital assets internationally.
Availability of individual assets and services depends on local regulations.
World has integrated Stripe into the app, initially giving US users a way to convert funds through Apple Pay into stablecoins.
The company said funds typically reach a World Money wallet within minutes.
World Money also incorporates Mini Apps from outside financial platforms, including prediction market Kalshi and decentralized lending protocol Morpho.
Eligible users can access Earn programs for supported digital assets, with some World ID-verified users receiving boosted rewards.
The app remains self-custodial, meaning users retain control of their wallet assets rather than depositing them with World as a conventional financial institution.
Virtual accounts add a bridge to traditional payment systems.
Users in supported regions can receive money from businesses or their own bank accounts through virtual account details, with incoming funds converted into the corresponding digital asset in their World Money wallet.
The launch represents the latest stage in World’s attempt to expand from digital identity into everyday financial services.
The project was originally known as Worldcoin and was built around World ID, a system intended to prove that an online account belongs to a unique human without requiring users to reveal their identity each time.
Tools for Humanity, co-founded by Alex Blania and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, helped launch World and operates World Money.
World began adding broader financial functions to its app in 2025, including crypto payments and transfers through chat.
Circle later launched native USDC on World Chain, replacing bridged versions of the stablecoin held in World wallets.
The new app brings those functions into a single financial interface alongside portfolio tracking, price alerts, transaction records and third-party applications.
World is positioning human verification as a differentiating feature as artificial intelligence makes automated accounts and bots easier to create.
World ID verification is not required for every World Money function, but it can unlock additional services and rewards where available.
The rollout places World among a growing number of crypto companies trying to combine stablecoins, payments and decentralized finance within consumer apps rather than requiring users to move between separate wallets and exchanges.
