Sam Altman-Supported Worldcoin Unveils The Iris Scanning Initiative In The US

May 1, 2025

For the first time ever, Sam Altman’s digital currency initiative Worldcoin (WLD) is set to launch across much of the United States. Its entrance into the US trading market will see it featured on Coinbase, which is the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the country.

Similar to its rollout in Asia and other regions, participants can earn 16 WLD by scanning their eyes at designated World Orb locations. It remains uncertain how the project will be received in the US relative to its performance in other nations.

BREAKING SAM ALTMAN’S WORLDCOIN PROJECT HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN THE U.S.

USERS GET $WLD TOKENS BY CREATING WORLD IDS pic.twitter.com/BrEUFgdCmV

— CryptoSavingExpert ® (@CryptoSavingExp) May 1, 2025

Americans Registered With The World App Will Get More Than $150 In WLD Coins

In addition to users receiving WLD for eye scans through World Orb technology, the Worldcoin team is providing ‘pioneer grants’ to individuals who have signed up and registered through the World app. The grant consists of 150 WLD credited directly to their digital wallet, valued at about $155 at current crypto market rates.

The Worldcoin website asserts that there have been over 12 million retina scans carried out. Currently, there are 894 Orb locations globally, including in Brazil, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and now the United States.

More than 7,000 orbs will facilitate iris scans at physical “World Space” venues. These locations encompass Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco, along with Razer gaming shops.

Created by Tools for Humanity, a startup co-founded by Sam Altman, Worldcoin saw an update to the orb’s physical design last year, and just yesterday (April 30), they revealed a smaller ‘Orb Mini’ resembling a smartphone.

Tools for Humanity’s timing for US expansion isn’t by chance. Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler had taken a strict stance on cryptocurrencies, creating barriers for both investors and Web3 companies, prompting many to leave the country for more favorable compliance.

However, with Trump as President, there has been a notable shift from the prior administration, prioritizing transparency and equitable regulations under the new SEC, which empowered the Sam Altman-led company to introduce Worldcoin in the US.

Nonetheless, the WLD token is still not offered in New York, a state notoriously challenging for any crypto-related business to penetrate.

Coinbase Includes $WLD in Its Listing Roadmap. pic.twitter.com/sJ9Dq2hFSq

— TheCryptoBasic (@thecryptobasic) May 1, 2025

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Worldcoin Also Unveils A VISA Debit Card For WLD Transactions

Beyond its US launch, Tools for Humanity is collaborating with Visa to introduce a debit card later in 2025. This WLD is intended to be exchanged for fiat currency during purchases. Sam Altman, the current Chairman of Tools for Humanity, personally conveyed the Visa news.

Altman revealed this information alongside CEO Alex Blania at a press conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, branded “At Last.” The occasion also served to highlight the debut of Worldcoin and the iris scanning Orbs in the US.

At present, the main method for utilizing Worldcoin is through the World digital wallet app, which allows users to transfer WLD and various other cryptocurrencies through a private messaging service associated with World IDs.

The World mobile application provides over 150 mini-apps, including a newcomer from the forecasting market Kalshi. World is also rolling out ID integrations with well-known companies such as Stripe, Match Group (the parent of Tinder), and gaming giant Razer.

The startup’s mission has sparked debate. Since its establishment in 2019, the team has emphasized its intention to position World ID as the principal channel for authenticating individuals online. Sam Altman has recognized the societal implications of AI technologies, including his own OpenAI.

As AI technology becomes increasingly advanced and ubiquitous, a system like World ID will be essential for discerning between human-generated and machine-generated content. In an even more concerning and dystopian perspective, Altman foresees a potential future where Worldcoin could function as a means of universal basic income for those whose employment has been supplanted by AI.

Three thrilling announcements made today: @worldcoin x @Visa and Orb Mini!
Also, human verified Tinder!@worldindonesia_ pic.twitter.com/MtwStgYVKY

— Alvin Halim (@AlvinHalim) May 1, 2025

Worldcoin’s US Launch Doesn’t Prevent WLD Coin From Declining: Down 1.5% Today

Despite the spotlight on Worldcoin due to its US launch and Sam Altman promoting the initiative in the media, its native WLD coin remains down by 1.5% today.

However, a broader view of the chart shows a more encouraging trend. WLD has risen by 26% over the past week and 35% over the last two weeks. This bullish in April can be attributed to Worldcoin preparing for its US launch and the subsequent listing on Coinbase for the WLD token.

Access to US consumers via Coinbase is a significant achievement. In 2024, Coinbase was reported to have 600,000 daily active users in the US and more than 100 million users worldwide.

The recent decline of the WLD crypto token to $1.06 has positioned it within a robust price floor zone. If it maintains this level and rebounds, a short-term target could be set at $1.18 before attempting to return to its yearly high of $2.61 from January. Conversely, a daily close beneath $1 would likely trigger a short-term bearish, with $0.84 as the next base level level.

Worldcoin are offering 16 WLD for Americans who have their irises scanned and 150 WLD for those signed up to receive the pioneer grant