Sam Altman’s World Launches Mini Apps 1.2 and $300K Developer Rewards Program
Tools for Humanity, the for-profit entity behind Sam Altman’s crypto-powered World Network, has unveiled Mini Apps 1.2, introducing new features and a significant incentive for developers. Alongside these updates, the company is rolling out a $300,000 Developer Rewards pilot program, aiming to boost innovation within its growing ecosystem.
Faster Performance and Enhanced Features in Mini Apps 1.2
Mini Apps 1.2 enhances the user experience by enabling faster loading times within the World mobile app. The update also includes haptic feedback, customization options, and the ability to pin frequently used mini apps directly to the home screen—eliminating the need to open the Worldcoin Wallet app. Additionally, iOS users can now access mini apps via the search bar. Currently, the app is available in 30 countries, including the United States.
The World platform has expanded significantly, now supporting over 150 mini apps. While a few are developed in-house, the vast majority come from third-party developers.
$300,000 Developer Rewards Program
In an effort to further grow its developer community, Tools for Humanity is launching a $300,000 Developer Rewards pilot program starting April 1. Under this initiative, developers can earn up to $25,000 per week in Worldcoin (WLD) by creating and updating high-performing mini apps. The reward distribution is based on the number of World ID-verified users engaging with an app.
Tiago Sada, Chief Product Officer at Tools for Humanity, highlighted that the most popular mini apps in the ecosystem currently include games, AI assistants, financial services, lending platforms, airdrop tools, and payment apps utilizing WLD and stablecoins. These transactions take place on World’s Ethereum Layer 2 solution, World Chain.
A Sustainable “Build-to-Earn” Model
While many apps reward users, the focus isn’t on user monetization at this stage. The “play-to-earn” model has historically faced sustainability challenges, often leading to token crashes when users cash out. However, Sada believes that a new wave of apps can balance rewards and sustainability by incentivizing genuinely valuable user actions.
“This shift ensures developers can offer meaningful incentives without their apps being exploited,” Sada explained.
Navigating App Store Policies
One challenge for mini app transactions is compliance with Apple and Google’s app store policies. Apple mandates in-app purchases for digital goods or services, limiting certain functionalities within World mini apps. For example, purchasing an NFT would require in-app purchases, which World currently does not support. However, transactions such as buying airline tickets or eSIM cards using credit cards are permitted without incurring Apple’s transaction fees.
Differentiating from Telegram and X
World’s key advantage over platforms like Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) is its ability to verify users and minimize bot interference. While Telegram offers extensive bot functionality, it can be overwhelming for new users. Meanwhile, X is often cluttered with politics, memes, and spam. By focusing on identity verification through World ID, World positions itself as a cleaner, more reliable alternative.
Sada acknowledged the rise of AI-powered chatbots on competing platforms, stating, “I think chatbots and AI are awesome. You just want to know what is what.”
As the World ecosystem continues to evolve, these latest developments underscore the company’s commitment to fostering a thriving, user-friendly, and developer-centric platform.