In a development that sounds straight out of a sci-fi script, millions globally have already signed up to let metallic orbs scan their irises in return for a digital ID and a crypto token known as Worldcoin.
Starting this week, Worldcoin (WLD) becomes accessible across much of the United States, including on major platforms like Coinbase. Participants who have their eyes scanned at a “World Orb” will receive 16 WLD, while existing users of the World App in the U.S. will be awarded a “pioneer grant” of 150 WLD directly into their wallets.
The company behind Worldcoin, Tools for Humanity — co-founded by Sam Altman — also revealed a partnership with Visa to launch a debit card later this year. The card will allow users to convert their WLD into traditional currency during transactions. Altman, who also chairs Tools for Humanity and is the CEO of OpenAI, announced the updates alongside CEO Alex Blania at a media event in San Francisco titled “At Last.”
Over 7,000 orbs will be deployed at “World Space” locations in U.S. cities like San Francisco, Miami, Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Nashville, as well as inside select Razer retail stores. The company also showcased a smaller, more portable version of the orb, nicknamed the “orb mini,” which resembles a smartphone.
Launched in 2019 by Altman, Blania, and Max Novendstern, Tools for Humanity aims to establish World ID as the go-to method for proving human identity online. This mission takes on heightened relevance in an era of increasingly lifelike AI, where distinguishing between humans and bots is becoming more urgent. In Altman’s futuristic vision, Worldcoin could also double as a universal basic income solution for individuals displaced by automation.
Beyond its Visa-linked debit card, users can access WLD through the World App, a crypto wallet that also includes a private messaging feature linked to verified World IDs. The app supports transactions in WLD and other digital assets and now offers access to more than 150 mini-apps. Among them is a new offering from prediction market Kalshi.
Additionally, Worldcoin is rolling out ID integrations with major platforms like Stripe, Match Group (which owns Tinder), and Razer’s gaming services, potentially expanding its footprint across finance, dating, and gaming ecosystems.
