Worldcoin (WLD) has emerged as one of the most talked-about projects at the intersection of cryptocurrency, digital identity, and artificial intelligence. Spearheaded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Worldcoin aims to build a global network for digital identity and financial inclusion using biometric verification through its unique Orb device. This article dives deep into what WLD is, how to claim the airdrop, its tokenomics, price potential, and key concerns surrounding privacy and adoption.
Latest Updates on Worldcoin (WLD)
Recent market data shows that WLD has surged over 20% in the past 24 hours, briefly breaking above $3.00 amid a broader altcoin rally. The momentum follows growing investor interest in AI-related crypto projects, with analysts pointing to a confirmed "cup and handle" pattern on the price chart—a bullish signal suggesting further upside.
Key technical levels:
- Support: $1.70
- Resistance: $2.60 – $2.65 (breakout zone), then $4.78
- Upside Targets: $11.97, $20.04, and potentially $40.24 in optimistic scenarios
With verification services now active in over 40 countries—including Costa Rica, Poland, and Austria—Worldcoin has seen a 28% user growth spike. Trading volume exceeded $1 billion, up 119% from the previous day, reinforcing bullish sentiment.
Additionally, Worldcoin recently launched a pilot of its WorldID credential, allowing users to verify their identity without sharing personal data with Tools for Humanity or third parties. This marks a significant step toward decentralized identity ownership.
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What Is Worldcoin (WLD)?
Worldcoin is an open-source protocol founded in 2020 by Sam Altman with the vision of creating a globally inclusive financial system. It combines a privacy-preserving digital identity called World ID with a cryptocurrency named WLD, distributed freely to verified individuals.
The project addresses a critical global issue: over 4.4 billion people lack formal digital identity, according to McKinsey Global Institute. By scanning users' irises via a hardware device called Orb, Worldcoin verifies that each participant is a unique human being—resisting bots and fake accounts.
“Worldcoin is building the world’s largest identity and financial network for everyone. We aim to make this public infrastructure owned by all.”
— Worldcoin Official Mission Statement
Backed by top-tier investors like a16z, Coinbase Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, Worldcoin raised $25 million in 2021 and another $100 million in 2022, reaching a $3 billion valuation.
While it flew under the radar for years, Worldcoin gained massive attention following the rise of ChatGPT and Sam Altman’s growing public profile—proving once again how AI and crypto narratives are increasingly intertwined.
Worldcoin Launch and Global Rollout
On July 24, 2023, Worldcoin officially went live, announcing the launch of its global network:
“The Worldcoin project is now live.”
— @worldcoin, July 24, 2023
At launch:
- Over 2 million users had already been verified across 35 cities in 20 countries.
- Around 1,500 Orb devices were deployed worldwide.
- The service expanded rapidly into emerging markets across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Worldcoin’s core mission extends beyond finance—it seeks to solve the growing problem of distinguishing humans from AI online. As automation increases, proving "I am human" becomes essential for fair access to services, voting systems, and economic benefits.
Founders envision a future where verified individuals might receive AI-funded universal basic income (UBI) through the network—a radical idea gaining traction in Web3 circles.
Introduction of the WLD Token
Alongside the World ID system, Worldcoin introduced its native ERC-20 token, WLD, on the Ethereum network. Most transactions occur on Optimism, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution, ensuring low fees and high throughput.
WLD began trading on Binance on July 24, 2023, marking its official market debut. Users who completed iris verification received free tokens as part of the initial distribution.
WLD Tokenomics: Supply and Distribution
Worldcoin’s total token supply is capped at 10 billion WLD, distributed as follows:
- 75% to the community: Allocated to users, ecosystem funds, and network operations. Early adopters receive higher rewards.
- 9.8% to developers and service providers: Primarily Tools for Humanity (TFH), which builds and maintains the World App.
- 13.5% to TFH investors: Funding pre-launch development efforts.
- 1.7% reserved for TFH: A strategic reserve for long-term operations.
Initially, only 143 million WLD were in circulation at launch:
- 43 million allocated to early users.
- 100 million loaned to non-U.S. market makers (repaid after three months).
Notably, in April 2024, Worldcoin announced plans to increase token supply by up to 19% through private sales to institutional investors outside the U.S.—a move aimed at funding expansion but raising decentralization concerns.
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How Does Worldcoin Work?
1. Worldcoin Operators
Local businesses can become Worldcoin Operators after passing KYC and compliance checks. These operators deploy Orb devices in their regions and earn rewards for every successful user registration.
Operators focus on countries without strict biometric regulations (e.g., excluding the U.S.), reflecting Worldcoin’s cautious approach to legal compliance.
2. Integration With Ethereum
Worldcoin leverages Optimistic Rollup technology on Optimism to scale efficiently while maintaining Ethereum’s security. Its SDK supports cross-chain interoperability with networks like Arbitrum, Solana, and Polkadot.
All WLD tokens are ERC-20 compliant, enabling seamless integration with DeFi platforms and wallets.
3. Core Teams Behind Worldcoin
Two entities drive the project:
- Worldcoin Foundation: A nonprofit overseeing community governance and long-term vision.
- Tools for Humanity (TFH): The for-profit tech company developing Orb, World ID, and the World App.
The Orb: Biometric Verification Device
The Orb is a silver spherical device that scans users’ irises to generate a unique cryptographic hash (IrisHash)—proving uniqueness without storing raw biometric data.
Here’s how it works:
- User scans iris → Orb creates IrisHash.
- System checks if IrisHash already exists.
- If new, user receives a World ID and qualifies for WLD airdrop.
Each verified user receives up to 25 WLD tokens, distributed monthly post-launch (previously weekly during testing).
The app uses zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) to protect privacy—allowing users to prove identity without revealing sensitive data.
Future use cases include:
- Bot detection on social platforms
- Sybil-resistant DAO voting
- Identity verification for lending protocols
- Loyalty programs and content moderation
To date, over 2 million people across 30+ countries have registered—mostly from Africa and South Asia.
How to Get WLD: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Download the World App
Available on Google Play and App Store, the World App is your gateway to WLD.
After installation:
- Create an account with phone number and password.
- Your World ID will appear grayed out until verified.
Step 2: Find and Visit an Orb Device
Use the app or visit worldcoin.org to locate the nearest Orb. Note: No Orbs are currently available in Taiwan; Hong Kong is a nearby option.
You can book a session anonymously—just ensure staff can identify you on arrival.
On-site:
- Follow on-screen instructions.
- Staff assist first-time users.
- Scan takes seconds; no personal data stored.
After verification, your ID turns black—proof of successful registration.
Step 3: Claim Your WLD Airdrop
Once verified:
- Receive WLD tokens based on country eligibility.
- Tokens are sent directly to your World App wallet.
- Use them for payments, transfers, or governance participation.
Anti-double-dipping mechanism:
- Wallet generated locally in-app.
- Zero-knowledge proof confirms ownership.
- Sequencer validates claim and prevents reuse.
Step 4: Trade or Withdraw WLD
Since WLD is listed on major exchanges:
- Transfer tokens out of the app.
- Trade on Binance, OKX, or other platforms.
- Convert to fiat or other cryptocurrencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is Worldcoin legal in my country?
A: Availability varies by region due to biometric data laws. Currently active in over 40 countries including Kenya, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Spain. Not available in the U.S., China, or EU nations with strict GDPR enforcement.
Q2: Can I get more than one WLD airdrop?
A: No. Each person can register only once via iris scan. Duplicate attempts are blocked by IrisHash matching.
Q3: Is my biometric data safe?
A: Raw iris images are deleted immediately after hashing. Only encrypted IrisHash is stored—and even that will eventually be purged post-algorithm optimization. However, critics argue that any centralized storage poses risk.
Q4: Why does Worldcoin target developing countries?
A: To promote financial inclusion where traditional banking access is limited. These regions also tend to have fewer regulatory barriers for biometric collection.
Q5: Will WLD price go up?
A: Potential drivers include wider ID adoption, AI integration, exchange listings, and real-world utility. However, price depends heavily on market sentiment and regulatory clarity.
Q6: Is Worldcoin a scam?
A: While controversial due to privacy concerns and delayed token launch rumors in early stages, it’s backed by reputable investors and transparent tech. Ongoing scrutiny remains healthy for accountability.
Final Thoughts: Promise vs. Challenges
Worldcoin represents an ambitious leap toward global digital identity and financial democratization. If successful, it could become foundational infrastructure for Web3—enabling fair access to AI dividends, UBI experiments, and decentralized governance.
However, major hurdles remain:
- Regulatory pushback over biometric data
- Public distrust in surveillance-like technology
- Scalability beyond early adopter markets
- Centralized control concerns despite decentralization goals
Currently, most users come from developing nations—highlighting both opportunity and ethical questions about data equity.
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With strong fundamentals and high-profile backing, WLD remains one of the most watched tokens at the frontier of AI and decentralization—offering both transformative potential and cautionary lessons in ethical innovation.