Worldcoin’s Bold US Expansion: Sam Altman’s Eye-Scanning Crypto Project Arrives
Get ready, America. Sam Altman’s ambitious World project, formerly known as Worldcoin, is officially making its debut in the United States. This controversial yet fascinating crypto project, aiming to tackle the challenge of verifying human identity in the age of AI, is now accessible in select US cities.
Sam Altman’s Vision Lands in the US
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman co-founded this initiative back in 2019 with a clear goal: create a global identity verification system using blockchain technology. The project, now rebranded simply as World, seeks to distinguish humans from bots and AI online. Its initial US rollout targets what the company calls “key innovation hubs.”
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Nashville
- San Francisco
This strategic selection of cities marks a significant step in the project’s global expansion, bringing its unique approach to digital identity verification to a new audience.
How Worldcoin Verifies You
The core mechanism of the World project involves a device called The Orb. This spherical device scans a user’s face and eyes. This biometric data is used to create a unique World ID on the platform, serving as proof that the user is a human. This World ID can then be used to log in to various integrated platforms.
Current integrations include:
- Minecraft
- Telegram
- Shopify
- Discord
By providing a verifiable digital identity, World aims to enhance trust and security across online services, addressing growing concerns about bots and synthetic content generated by AI.
Understanding the WLD Token and Partnerships
A key component of the World ecosystem is the WLD token. Users who verify their identity via The Orb are eligible to receive this crypto token. Beyond just identity, the project is also expanding its utility through partnerships.
A notable development announced alongside the US launch is a partnership with credit card giant Visa. This collaboration plans to introduce a “World Visa card” later this year. This card is expected to allow payments using WLD tokens and other cryptocurrencies for verified users.
The project is also forging other connections. Online dating powerhouse Match Group (owner of Tinder, Hinge, etc.) will pilot using World ID to help users verify they are interacting with real people. Additionally, partnerships have been established with prediction market Kalshi and decentralized lending platform Morpho.
The Digital Identity Imperative
World’s focus on digital identity is timely, given the rapid advancements in AI. The project’s history dates back to 2019 under the name Worldcoin, aiming to build a global system resistant to fraud and bots. It rebranded to World in 2024 and has already amassed a significant global user base, reporting 26 million users worldwide, with 12 million having completed Orb verification.
Market Reaction to the Crypto Project Launch
Following the announcement of the US launch and partnerships, the WLD token initially saw a positive price movement, jumping around 15%. However, these gains proved temporary. The token’s price has since declined, trading lower over the past 24 hours and remaining significantly down from its all-time high reached earlier in 2024. This price action highlights the volatile nature often seen with crypto assets following news events.
Summary
Sam Altman’s World project has officially entered the US market, bringing its unique eye-scanning identity verification technology to six key cities. With plans for a Visa partnership for a crypto card and pilots with major platforms like Match Group, the crypto project is pushing forward with its vision for a verifiable digital identity system in the AI era. While the WLD token price saw initial volatility, the launch signifies a major step in the project’s global rollout.
