Sam Altman’s Tools for Humanity is launching Worldcoin (WLD) in the US, rewarding users who scan their irises with a device called Orb. By scanning their eyes, users receive 16 WLD, and a bonus of 150 WLD for downloading the app. The company is also collaborating with Visa for a debit card that allows spending WLD anywhere Visa is accepted, anticipating a significant expansion of the system.
Sam Altman’s venture, Tools for Humanity, is making waves with the introduction of its cryptocurrency, Worldcoin, in the United States. Users who scan their irises with a device called the Orb will be rewarded with 16 Worldcoin (WLD). Additionally, those who download the accompanying app can expect to receive a bonus of 150 WLD sent directly to their crypto wallets. This initiative has already seen millions of participants globally exchanging their iris scans for blockchain-based identification and digital currency.
Originally launched in July 2024, Worldcoin aims to create a secure form of identity verification by scanning users’ irises and storing the information on blockchain technology. Reports by WIRED suggest that with widespread use, this system could help combat identity fraud—something that’s becoming increasingly necessary in our digital age. For this latest rollout, WLD will be accessible through major platforms like Coinbase across much of the US.
The eye-scanning, known colloquially as “Orbing,” will be available at various physical locations such as World Space venues in several major cities, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Austin, along with selected Razer stores. In recent news, Tools for Humanity announced a revamped Orb device design. Notably, a compact version—dubbed the mini orb—was unveiled, looking much like a smartphone and intended for easier portability.
In terms of outreach, the startup plans to establish six retail locations, styled after Apple’s approach, including one in San Francisco. Onlookers at the recent launch got a glimpse of a polished wooden structure accommodating eight orbs. Further expandability is anticipated, with future scanning sites possibly popping up in local cafes and on college campuses. Furthermore, Tools for Humanity is gearing up for production with an Orb assembly line set in Richardson, Texas, and expects to have 7,500 units operational in the US by year’s end.
Altman has a clear vision for World ID, aiming to simplify online identity verification, especially as AI technology progresses. He suggests that Worldcoin might also serve as a universal basic income source for individuals displaced by AI advancements in the future.
The upcoming Visa debit card, closely associated with Worldcoin, will allow holders to make payments using their World currency wherever Visa is accepted. Users can also benefit from enhanced rewards if they subscribe to certain AI applications, like ChatGPT Plus, priced at $20 a month.
Beyond the debit card, the primary purpose of Worldcoin lies within the World wallet app, permitting users to send WLD and other cryptocurrencies via a chat function linked to their World IDs. Additionally, the app includes over 150 mini-apps, featuring new tools like the Kalshi prediction marketplace. In a push for versatility, the World app is receiving upgrades to accommodate various financial transactions and will support stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies. Partnerships with payment platforms like Stripe will allow more user-friendly transactions on websites that accept Stripe payments.
