Worldcoin: Sam Altman’s crypto project – What’s behind the Orb and the World ID

Worldcoin is causing a stir: A global digital identity, but then nothing was heard for a long time, until now – secured by an iris scan. While the project has already inspired millions of users worldwide, it has not yet been available in the USA. But at the official event in San Francisco, the go-ahead has now been given for the US market. In addition, a Visa partnership brings real benefits – and a new device, the Orb Mini, makes the technology mobile. What does this mean for our digital future? Inspiration & source for the post: Hard Fork Podcast.

What is Worldcoin?

Wow, that’s news, do you remember Worldcoin? After years, the time has come: Worldcoin launches in the USA.

Worldcoin is a global identity project founded by Sam Altman – CEO of OpenAI. The aim is to create a digital ID that uniquely identifies every person. Authentication takes place via an iris scan with the “Orb”. Users receive Worldcoin tokens worth around 40 US dollars as an incentive. The World ID is intended to provide long-term access to digital services, financial systems and apps. The New York Times is already talking about a new digital identity layer for the Internet.

The idea: proving humanity in the world of AI

In a world full of bots and generated content, Worldcoin wants to create proof that you are a real person. The Orb verifies the uniqueness of your iris – a biometric signature that cannot be manipulated. This identity can be stored anonymously and used to log in to platforms. Critics compare the system to dystopian science fiction, but the technology is real. According to WIRED, Worldcoin is one of the most ambitious biometrics projects of recent years.

• Global ID through iris scan
• Sam Altman as a founding figure
• Up to $40 in tokens as an incentive
• Biometric verification against AI bots

Live from the Worldcoin Event in San Francisco.

This is how the Orb works:

US launch & visa partnership: this was the big event

At the event in San Francisco, Sam Altman and co-founder Alex Blania announced the launch of Worldcoin in the USA. The token was previously not accessible there – now it is officially activated. The background to this is a friendlier political climate for crypto issues, for example through Trump-affiliated advisors such as David Sachs. The announcement marks a strategic turning point for the project. The Verge reports on the details of the new US focus.

• Worldcoin event in San Francisco

Worldcoin + Visa: crypto in everyday life

Worldcoin is now cooperating with Visa. Users receive a debit card with which they can pay worldwide – the system automatically converts the token into fiat currency. Worldcoin thus goes beyond pure speculation and becomes a usable digital currency in everyday life. Decrypt sees this as an important step towards mass application.

• Official launch in the USA
• Political tailwind from new administration
• Visa debit card for real use

New hardware: The Orb Mini is coming

A new device was presented alongside the classic Orb: the Orb Mini. It resembles a smartphone and is designed to enable mobile and discreet scanning. The aim is to also use the technology outside of fixed locations. Users can thus register more quickly – at events or in pop-up stores, for example. TechCrunch reports on the mobile hardware as the next scaling step.

This is what the Orb looks like with its cameras:

7,000 orbs planned in the USA

Worldcoin is planning over 7,000 orbs in the USA alone – in stores, cities and at mobile stations. These “World Spaces” are to be set up like modern tech stores to enable low-threshold orbing. The first station opens tomorrow in San Francisco, with other cities such as LA and Atlanta to follow.

• Orb Mini = mobile iris scanner
• 7,000 orbs announced for the US market
• Retail design similar to Apple Stores

Influencers, partnerships & the Sam Altman effect

The event in San Francisco was not just a product launch – it was also a strategic PR move. Influencers were invited to test the Orb and report on TikTok, YouTube & Co. There were also major partnership announcements, including with Stripe, Tinder (Match Group) and Razer. All of this would hardly have been possible without Sam Altman in the background. Fast Company analyzes how Worldcoin is targeting Creator.

World ID as an identity layer in the network

With the World ID, Worldcoin wants to create a new layer for digital identity – usable for platforms, transactions, logins and access. This clearly sets the project apart from traditional cryptocurrencies, which are often only designed for speculation. The long-term goal: everyone should be able to use their identity digitally in a self-determined and anonymous way.

• Partnerships with Stripe, Match Group, Razer
• Sam Altman = central figure of trust
• World ID to revolutionize Internet logins

Conclusion: revolution or dystopia?

Worldcoin is caught between vision and criticism. The technology is there, the launch in the USA has taken place – but many questions about data protection, ethics and social acceptance remain unanswered. The project shows how close digital identity, cryptocurrencies and everyday use have become. Perhaps the next login will not be by password – but by eye.

Have you already orbed?

The question that many are now asking: Will you let yourself be scanned? Or will Worldcoin remain an experiment for you? The coming months will show whether the vision works – or fails due to acceptance and regulation.

• US launch announced live
• Digital identity via iris scan
• First major partnerships active
• Data protection & acceptance crucial

Sam Altman, Worldcoin & Co. more on the topic

Is Worldcoin part of OpenAI?

No, Worldcoin is not part of OpenAI. It is an independent project of the company Tools for Humanity. However, there is a close personal connection: Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is also the co-founder and chairman of Worldcoin. The two companies operate independently of each other, but share the same vision of technological innovation. Learn more here:

• Worldcoin
• Orb (iris scanner)
• Sam Altman

Also interesting, as it is also by visionary Sam Altman:

• OpenAI
• ChatGPT