After a period of absence amid much debate over privacy, Worldcoin (now rebranded as World) unexpectedly re-emerges with a shocking ambition: to deploy iris scanning devices to 180 million Americans, equivalent to more than half of the U.S. population, by 2025.



A boost of $135 million from two "big players"


World has successfully raised $135 million through a private token sale, selling WLD tokens to two leading investment funds: Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto. This investment was made through World Assets, a subsidiary of World Foundation.


Notably, the number #WLD sold is tokens already available in the market, meaning the circulating supply will increase – a factor that could affect WLD prices in the medium term.


Immediately after the funding announcement, the WLD price rose by 15%, bringing the increase over the past 30 days to 58%, with a market cap of approximately $1.85 billion. However, the WLD price is still 75% lower than its historical peak.



The U.S. officially opens up to the Orb device


Another major turning point is that the United States has allowed the use of the Orb device – an iris scanner shaped like a bowling ball – to uniquely verify each individual's digital identity for the first time.


Previously, this device was banned in the U.S. due to concerns about privacy and unclear legal frameworks. Now, as barriers are lifted, U.S. users after scanning with Orb can:



  • Access the World App



  • Receive WLD airdrop



  • Use WLD in mini-apps within the developing World ecosystem




If the goal of deploying Orb to 180 million Americans this year is realized, it will become the largest biometric verification campaign in the history of the Internet.



Big ambitions, not insignificant controversies


Alongside its enormous potential, #world also faces significant criticism. Many countries, including Kenya, India, Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, the UK, and Hong Kong, have previously voiced warnings or banned the iris scanning activities of this project due to concerns about personal data security.


However, with strong financial backing and the name of Sam Altman – co-founder of World and CEO of OpenAI – World is reshaping the future of digital identity in the Web3 world.



Contact the crypto market


The resurgence of World and the expansion of Orb scanning in the U.S. could significantly impact the cryptocurrency market, especially the WLD token. Additionally, it raises important questions about the role of blockchain in personal identity management, a field full of potential but also many risks.


If #Worldcoin succeeds in the U.S., it could very likely spark a similar wave in other countries – and thereby create the world's first Web3 ecosystem based on biometric identity.



Risk warning


Investing in cryptocurrency always carries significant risks. Token prices can fluctuate greatly based on market information or legal decisions. This article is not investment advice. Users need to carefully consider participating in any project.