Sam Altman’s World Crypto Project, known simply as World, has officially launched its innovative biometric identity verification system in the United States, marking a significant milestone for the ambitious blockchain-based initiative.
What Is World?
World is a project co-founded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, alongside Alex Blania and Max Novendstern (who has since stepped away from the project). It uses unique iris-scanning devices called orbs to create a secure, decentralized digital identity called a World ID. This identity is stored on the blockchain, enabling users to prove their humanity online in a privacy-preserving way – a crucial development as artificial intelligence-generated content and digital fraud become more prevalent.
The US Launch and Orb Deployment
Starting in early May 2025, World has begun placing its signature chrome, bowling ball-shaped orbs in six major cities across the US: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. These orbs scan individuals’ irises to generate a biometric proof of identity. Upon verification, users receive an airdrop of 16 Worldcoin tokens (WLD), with early adopters receiving an additional “pioneer grant” of 150 WLD if they had registered via the World app beforehand.
The company plans to scale rapidly, aiming to deploy 7,500 orbs nationwide by the end of 2025, potentially reaching over half of the American population. To support this expansion, World is building an orb manufacturing facility in Richardson, Texas. Future deployment will extend to cities like Seattle, Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas, with orbs placed in everyday locations such as gas stations and convenience stores to maximize accessibility.
Vision and Use Cases
Altman envisions World ID as a foundational identity layer for the internet, usable across a wide range of platforms – from gaming environments like Minecraft to social networks such as Reddit, Telegram, Shopify, and Discord. The system aims to combat fake accounts, bots, and AI impersonations by providing a reliable proof of personhood.
New Features and Partnerships
Alongside the US launch, World announced several key partnerships and upcoming features:
- Integration with Morpho, a non-custodial lending protocol, to offer crypto-backed loans.
- Collaboration with Kalshi to introduce prediction markets.
- Plans to launch a World Visa debit card, enabling users to spend WLD tokens directly at point of sale.
- A pilot program with Match Group to use World ID for age verification on Tinder users in Japan, demonstrating applications beyond finance into social identity verification.
Privacy and Regulatory Considerations
World’s US launch comes after years of careful navigation of regulatory and privacy challenges surrounding biometric data. The project had previously avoided launching stateside due to these concerns but has now moved forward amid a more favorable regulatory climate. The company emphasizes that iris scan data is securely stored on the blockchain and used solely for identity verification, aiming to build user trust and comply with privacy standards.
Funding and Support
By early 2025, World had secured approximately $240 million in venture capital from notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Bain Capital, Coinbase, and influential figures including Reid Hoffman and Sam Bankman-Fried. This robust funding supports the development of the hardware, software, and ecosystem expansion.
In Summary
Sam Altman’s World Crypto Project is pioneering a new frontier in digital identity by combining biometric verification with blockchain technology. Its US launch introduces millions of Americans to a novel way of proving their humanity online, earning cryptocurrency rewards, and accessing new financial and social applications. This initiative represents a bold step toward preserving human authenticity in the rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven landscape.
