Just finished reading it now. It was great. But does that mean I'll have to inform all my old referrals to download a new v2 app and reverify their account before I can claim my referral bonus?

you can claim in v2 of the app which is now live on the play store, App Store coming shortly. Please read this medium article fully which explains everything https://legionnetwork.medium.com/legion-super-app-v2-launches-be4bea482a27

it seems to me that he led us in the second circle, you know what I mean ....

Yes sure, tell them to update and go to v2