Worldcoin Rebrands as “World” — Expands Global Identity Network with Major Backing

May 23, 2025 — The digital identity and crypto project Worldcoin, now rebranded simply as “World”, is rapidly expanding its global footprint. Originally launched by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the project’s goal is to create a secure and scalable way for people worldwide to verify their identity online.

$135 Million Funding Boost Accelerates Growth

World recently secured a $135 million investment from top-tier firms including Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto. This funding will help the team expand globally, improve its technology stack, and enhance adoption.

Following the funding announcement, the price of WLD, the project’s native token, rose 10%, reaching approximately $1.27 (WLD price tracker).

World ID Goes Global — Including U.S. Launch

At the core of World’s identity system is World ID, which verifies a person’s uniqueness using iris scans via a biometric device called the Orb.

• Over 500,000 users have already signed up in Argentina.
• Adoption has expanded to Kenya, Chile, Portugal, and Spain.
• As of May 1, 2025, U.S. centers have launched in six cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.

Incentives:

• New users in the U.S. receive 16 WLD tokens after iris verification.
• Existing users can earn up to 150 WLD tokens through referral and activity programs.

Strategic Partnerships with Major Brands

World has announced collaborations with well-known companies to integrate World ID into real-world applications:

• Visa: Launching a new card allowing users to spend WLD tokens directly.
• Match Group (Tinder): Using World ID for age verification on dating platforms.
• Razer: Enabling player verification in the gaming space.
• Kalshi: Integrating identity for use in prediction markets.

New Tech: Orb Mini & World Chain

Two major technical updates are helping World scale:

• Orb Mini: A smaller, portable version of the Orb scanner, designed for easier deployment and access.
• World Chain: A new blockchain purpose-built for managing identity data and fast transactions securely.

As of now, World reports that over 12 million people across 100+ countries have verified their identity through its system.

Legal Pushback and Privacy Questions

Despite rapid expansion, World has faced regulatory hurdles and criticism from governments and privacy advocates:

• A court in Kenya ruled iris scanning practices illegal.
• In Brazil, authorities accused the company of collecting data without full user consent, leading to a ban.
• Germany and Spain have also issued data protection warnings and demanded data deletion.

These developments raise serious concerns about user privacy, data sovereignty, and ethical use of biometrics.

Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment

While many see World’s launch in the U.S. as a breakthrough, others remain skeptical:

• Supporters highlight its potential to prevent bot fraud and provide verified access to digital services.
• Critics warn about privacy risks and doubt the long-term value of the WLD token.

Some analysts suggest that WLD’s price could drop 25% to 50% by the end of 2025 if adoption slows or legal challenges escalate (crypto market forecast).

What’s Next for World?

World’s vision is ambitious: to build the largest decentralized identity and financial network globally.

Sam Altman argues that as AI becomes more powerful, distinguishing between real people and bots will be essential. World aims to provide that solution — but its success depends on user trust, regulatory compliance, and real-world utility.

“This isn’t just about crypto,” Altman once said. “It’s about identity, access, and the future of the internet.” (Sam Altman interview)

Final Note

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency investments are volatile. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.