Worldcoin Launches Its Digital Identity and Cryptocurrency Initiative in Six U.S. Cities

Worldcoin, the digital identity and cryptocurrency initiative co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and which has now been rebranded into ‘World’, has launched in six major U.S. cities

Worldcoin, the digital identity and cryptocurrency initiative co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and which has now been rebranded into ‘World’, has launched in six major U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.

The project, which is aiming to create a unique identity credential to distinguish real humans from artificial intelligence in an increasingly automated digital world, is now offering new users who complete an iris scan at a Worldcoin Orb location 16 WLD tokens as an onboarding incentive. Early adopters who previously signed up through the World App will be eligible for a larger “pioneer grant” of 150 WLD tokens.

To support the initiative's broader strategy to drive mass adoption and test the scalability of biometric identity infrastructure, the company intends to deploy 7,500 Orbs across the U.S. by the end of 2025. A new manufacturing facility in Richardson, Texas, will be used to produce the Orbs domestically and reduce supply chain dependencies.

App Integrations and Industry Collaborations

The World App—Worldcoin's primary interface—has also undergone major enhancements. Users can now access crypto-backed loans through Morpho, engage in decentralized prediction markets powered by Kalshi, and utilize a newly integrated Visa debit card that allows seamless conversion of WLD tokens to fiat currency for everyday purchases.

On the partnership front, Worldcoin is collaborating with a variety of companies to push the use of World ID across multiple 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 is focused on integrating World ID for player identity verification and account security.

Balancing Innovation with Privacy Concerns

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

In response, Worldcoin maintains that it does not store raw biometric data and has implemented advanced cryptographic protections to secure users' personal identifiers.

Regulatory challenges remain a key hurdle, especially in the U.S. WLD tokens are currently restricted in New York State due to unresolved legal and compliance issues.

However, the company is pressing ahead with its vision to become a decentralized, privacy-preserving identity solution in an AI-driven digital economy.

Worldcoin's launch in the U.S. marks a significant milestone not just for the company but also for the broader conversation around digital identity, financial inclusion, and the ethical use of biometric technology. Only time will tell whether it can overcome public skepticism, navigate regulatory complexities, and ultimately integrate seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life.