What Is Worldcoin?

Worldcoin is a cryptocurrency and identity verification project co-founded by Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI), along with Alex Blania and Max Novendstern. It aims to create a universal global identity and financial network — even for people who don't have access to traditional banking systems.

At its core, the project revolves around two main pillars:

1. 1.World ID – a privacy-preserving digital identity

2. 2.Worldcoin Token (WLD) – a cryptocurrency distributed to individuals who verify their identity

Core Technology: Biometrics and the Orb

The most striking element of Worldcoin is its use of a futuristic biometric device called the “Orb.”

The Orb:

• A chrome-sphere-shaped device that scans people’s irises.

• Used to verify that a person is unique and human without storing identifiable images.

• Upon verification, the individual receives a World ID and some WLD tokens.

Privacy Mechanism:

• The biometric data is converted into a unique cryptographic hash.

• Worldcoin claims no raw biometric data is stored after enrollment.

• Uses zero-knowledge proofs and secure multiparty computation to ensure privacy.

The Vision Behind Worldcoin

Worldcoin envisions solving two key global challenges:

1. Digital Identity: Proving personhood in the age of AI (especially important as bots become indistinguishable from humans online).

2. Universal Basic Income (UBI): Enabling global wealth distribution via crypto airdrops, especially in regions with little economic opportunity.

The idea is that by giving every human on Earth a verified ID and a share of a token, you can create a global financial system that’s fair, inclusive, and AI-resilient.

Founders and Leadership

• Sam Altman – Better known for leading OpenAI, he brings credibility and reach.

• Alex Blania – CEO of Tools for Humanity (the company behind Worldcoin).

• Max Novendstern – Co-founder, formerly of Bridgewater Associates and Wave.

The project is backed by top-tier investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Blockchain Capital.

How Worldcoin Works in Practice

1. 1.User Finds an Orb: Available in various global cities via operators (Orb Operators).

2. 2.Verification Process: Orb scans the user's iris.

3. 3.User Receives World ID: A decentralized proof of unique personhood.

4. 4.User Gets WLD Tokens: Distribution varies by country and region.

5. 5.App Integration: Users manage their identity and tokens through the World App, the official wallet.

Tokenomics and Utility

• WLD Token is an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum mainnet.

• Distributed as incentives for verification and as a potential future governance token.

• Max supply: 10 billion tokens.

• Initial circulating supply was small, but grows as more people get verified.

• Not available in certain jurisdictions (like the U.S.) due to regulatory concerns.

Criticism and Controversy

Worldcoin has been highly controversial since its launch. Key criticisms include:

Privacy Concerns:

• Critics argue that scanning people's irises, especially in the Global South, could create exploitative data practices.

• Questions have been raised about whether biometric hashes are truly irreversible and unidentifiable.

Informed Consent:

• Reports have suggested that individuals, especially in developing nations, were not fully informed of what they were agreeing to.

Security Risks:

• What happens if someone's World ID is compromised? There's no redo for biometric identity.

Regulatory Challenges:

• Banned or investigated in countries like Kenya, Germany, and France due to privacy law violations.

AI-Driven Motivations:

• Some believe Worldcoin is more about giving AI companies a way to separate humans from bots in the future, which could be monetized.

Global Rollout and Adoption

• Worldcoin has set up Orbs in cities across South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

• Adoption has been strong in some areas due to the free token incentive.

• The project reports millions of sign-ups but has not yet achieved true global scale.

Recent Developments (As of 2025)

• Integration with Ethereum L2 solutions for cheaper transactions.

• World App updates introducing identity-based features and wallet upgrades.

• Ongoing regulatory negotiations in Europe and Latin America.

• Expansion of Orb availability through partnerships with local startups.

The Future of Worldcoin

Worldcoin wants to be the backbone of digital identity and universal income in an AI-centric future. However, it faces a complex road ahead balancing:

• Technological adoption vs. ethical concerns

• Regulatory compliance vs. decentralization

• Global access vs. local norms and sovereignty

Whether it becomes the foundation of a decentralized, AI-resilient identity layer or collapses under scrutiny remains to be seen.