Summary
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US Expansion: Sam Altman’s World project (formerly Worldcoin) is launching in the US, enabling Americans in select cities to verify their personhood using Orb technology and receive WLD tokens.
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New Product Initiatives: The project announced plans for a Visa-branded card allowing users to spend WLD and other digital assets, alongside a pilot partnership with Match Group (Tinder) in Japan to verify user profiles.
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Focus on Human Verification & Scaling: World aims to distinguish humans from AI online, reporting 26 million app users (~12 million verified humans), and plans to use mini-Orbs and partnerships (like with Razer) to scale towards a goal of 1 billion users.
US Rollout and Token Distribution
The World project, a cryptocurrency initiative focused on human identity verification and associated with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has commenced operations within the United States, according to a recent announcement.
The expansion will enable US residents in select cities initially (Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco) to establish a World ID by verifying their personhood, receiving the project’s native WLD tokens in the process.
This US launch is described as a significant development for the World’s objective of creating a reliable method to distinguish human users from automated entities like AI bots online.
The statement notes the timing aligns with a perceived shift towards greater receptiveness to cryptocurrency ventures under the current US administration led by President Donald Trump.
Identity Verification and Project Scope
Having previously launched internationally, the project, which offers WLD tokens as an incentive for user sign-up and verification, has encountered scrutiny from some data privacy advocates in other regions.
The core proposition addresses the growing presence of AI online, positioning human verification as crucial.
Although other identity verification projects exist, World has garnered considerable attention due to Sam Altman’s affiliation.
Operating under the name World (formerly Worldcoin) and branding itself as “the real human network,” the project reports approximately 26 million users of its World App, with about 12 million verified as unique individuals via its systems, according to data on its website.
Upcoming Features: Visa Card and Partner Integrations
In line with trends in the cryptocurrency sector, World revealed plans to introduce a Visa-branded payment card.
This card will link to users’ World App wallets, allowing them to spend WLD tokens and potentially other digital assets at merchants accepting Visa.
The system aims to settle transactions in traditional currency for merchants, simplifying acceptance, while offering users increased utility for their digital holdings.
The card is expected to become available later this year in the US.
Furthermore, World announced a collaboration with Match Group, the entity behind dating platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, and Match.com.
This partnership will begin with a pilot program for Tinder users in Japan, aiming to provide a mechanism for users to confirm the authenticity of profiles, thereby fostering trust and genuine connections.
World emphasized the increasing need for secure and authentic interactions online.
Additionally, the project disclosed that users can now access the prediction market platform Kalshi directly through a new mini-application integrated within the World App.
Scaling Strategy and Verification Technology
Currently, the World utilizes distinctive “Orb” devices to perform iris scans for human verification.
To mitigate privacy risks, the project asserts that it solely uses this biometric data to confirm human identity and does not permanently store it.
Looking ahead, World plans to deploy a smaller “mini-Orb” device to facilitate faster user onboarding and support its ambition of reaching one billion verified users.
The company has also partnered with gaming hardware firm Razer to integrate human verification services, allowing gamers to identify human opponents, with verification potentially becoming available at Razer retail locations.
The World project was initially launched in 2023, with development led by Tools for Humanity, a company co-founded by Sam Altman and its CEO, Alex Blania.
Also Read: The United States Court has lifted the sanctions on Tornado Cash
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