Overview
Sam Altman’s blockchain initiative, World, has officially launched in the U.S., deploying 7,500 eye-scanning "orbs" across six major cities by year-end. These chrome devices verify human identity via iris scans, granting access to the World app and WLD token airdrops. The project aims to cover 180 million Americans—over half the population—by 2025.
Key Features and Rollout
Initial Cities:
- Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco
Orbs will debut in these innovation hubs, with plans to expand to Seattle, Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas later.
Orb Factory in Texas
World announced a new orb manufacturing facility in Richardson, Texas, to support U.S. production.
👉 Discover how World’s orbs redefine digital identity
New App Integrations
- Crypto-Backed Loans: Via non-custodial protocol Morpho.
- Prediction Markets: Partnered with Kalshi.
- Visa Debit Card: Spend WLD tokens like cash (launching late 2025).
- Dating Apps: Pilot program with Tinder Japan to verify user ages via World ID.
Sam Altman’s Vision
Altman emphasized World’s role in authenticating humans amid rising AI content:
"We needed a way to keep humans special in an AI-driven internet. World ID ensures human-created content remains distinguishable."
Originally conceived before OpenAI, World’s iris-scanning solution was among Altman’s "less crazy" ideas for human verification.
Regulatory and Expansion Outlook
With a friendlier U.S. crypto landscape under recent policies, World joins several projects expanding stateside.
Alex Blania, Tools for Humanity co-founder, noted:
"Orbs will be ubiquitous—gas stations, convenience stores—enabling 10-minute verification anywhere."
FAQs
1. How does the World orb work?
The orb scans your iris to create a unique World ID, enabling access to the app and token rewards.
2. Is my biometric data safe?
World claims data is decentralized and encrypted, with no personal info stored on the orb.
3. Which cities get orbs first?
Atlanta, Austin, LA, Miami, Nashville, and SF; 7,500 orbs nationwide by 2025.
4. Can I use WLD tokens for purchases?
Yes—a Visa debit card for WLD transactions launches late 2025.
5. What’s the purpose of Tinder integration?
To verify user ages and reduce fake profiles, starting in Japan.
Conclusion
World’s U.S. rollout marks a major step in decentralized identity verification, combining crypto rewards with real-world utility.