Worldcoin Launches in Six US Cities, Offering WLD Tokens to Users

Worldcoin, the digital identity and cryptocurrency initiative co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has launched operations in six major US cities as part of its nationwide expansion.

Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency and digital identity initiative co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has officially launched operations in six major US cities as part of its planned rollout across the country.

The project, which aims to create a system for distinguishing humans from AI in our increasingly automated digital world, is now live in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.

At these locations, users can complete an iris scan using Worldcoin’s distinctive “Orbs”—spherical biometric devices—to receive 16 WLD tokens. Early adopters who previously signed up through the World App are eligible for larger “pioneer grants” of 150 WLD tokens.

To support this expansion, Worldcoin plans to deploy 7,500 Orbs across the US by the end of 2025. A new manufacturing facility in Richardson, Texas, will handle production of these devices domestically to reduce supply chain dependencies.

Expanding Functionality and Partnerships

The World App has undergone major updates to increase its utility beyond basic identity verification. Users can now access crypto-backed loans through Morpho and engage in decentralized prediction markets powered by Kalshi.

A newly integrated Visa debit card allows users to convert their WLD tokens to traditional currency for everyday purchases. Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, announced this partnership with Visa at a San Francisco press event dubbed “At Last.”

World is also forming strategic partnerships across various industries. In Japan, it has teamed up with Match Group to pilot age verification systems on dating apps like Tinder. In the gaming sector, a partnership with Razer focuses on integrating World ID for player verification and account security.

The World mobile app now offers over 150 mini-apps. Additional ID integrations are being launched with Stripe, Match Group, and Razer’s gaming platform, expanding the ecosystem where World ID can be used.

Privacy Concerns and Regulatory Challenges

Despite its growing user base, now exceeding 12 million people globally, Worldcoin continues to face scrutiny over its handling of sensitive biometric data. Critics argue that even anonymized biometric information could be vulnerable to misuse or security breaches.

In response to these concerns, Worldcoin maintains that it does not store raw biometric data. The company claims it has implemented advanced cryptographic protections to secure users’ personal identifiers.

Regulatory challenges remain a hurdle for the project. WLD tokens are currently restricted in New York State due to unresolved legal and compliance issues. However, the company has found a more favorable regulatory environment under the current administration, which has taken a less stringent approach to cryptocurrency oversight.

The biometric verification system has faced resistance from governments outside the US. Despite this pushback, Worldcoin has managed to verify 12 million humans from over 100 countries on its Ethereum-based World Chain.

According to Sam Altman, World’s orbs and cryptocurrency are meant to solve for “trust in the age of AGI” (Artificial General Intelligence). The implicit goal is to address potential societal impacts of advanced AI systems like those developed by OpenAI, Altman’s other company.

In Altman’s vision, Worldcoin could potentially serve as a form of universal basic income for individuals whose jobs might be replaced by AI technologies. This positions the project not just as an identity solution but also as a potential economic safeguard in an AI-driven future.

The price of WLD tokens has experienced volatility since its 2023 debut. Reports indicate it was trading below its initial price prior to the recent US launch announcement.

As the US expansion unfolds and the project hits major milestones, we can expect to see how Worldcoin's innovative technology and broad vision will shape the future of cryptocurrency, digital identity, and the intersection of AI and society at large.