What is Worldcoin, and how does it work?

The scans are anonymized so they cannot be traced to that person after the identifier is created. If World IDs catch on, then holders could theoretically use them to sign on to all websites, just like Google offers single sign-on services. The difference, Altman argues, is that a Worldcoin login will be more secure and unlinked to other information, including a user’s email, name or photograph. If the zero-knowledge proof aspect of the tech works properly, Worldcoin would allow ID holders to log into a website without that action being traceable by other people or any government. Tools for Humanity (TFH) is a global technology company established to accelerate the transition towards a more just economic system. It led the initial development of Worldcoin and is continuing to build tools and help support the protocol, in addition to operating World App.

Worldcoin doesn’t seek to know who you are, only that you’re unique and what is liquidity mining human. This means that no information like name, email, phone number, etc. is required to download and use World App or to verify and use World ID. Additionally, all images used to verify an individual’s World ID are deleted by default. Verifying your World ID at an orb allows you to prove that you are human and unique in a growing number of integrated applications like Discord, Shopify, Telegram and Reddit. World ID verification locations are managed by Worldcoin Operators and can be found on the Worldcoin website or in World App.

Where are Orb verification services available?

Over time, TFH will continue to develop important tools for Worldcoin and beyond. The Worldcoin Foundation is a non-profit organization setup to support and grow the Worldcoin community until it becomes self-sufficient. It does this through actions like overseeing community grants programs, open-sourcing important project technologies, establishing ways for users to participate in the governance of the protocol and more. Downloading World App enables a person to set up their Worldcoin account, hold and verify their World ID and access a digital wallet connected to digital and traditional currencies. World App is operated by Tools for Humanity, a contributor to the Worldcoin project.

1. Co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Worldcoin aims to provide its users with a verified digital identity, plus a cryptocurrency token—helpfully named Worldcoin (WLD)—and a crypto wallet app.
2. Locations are available in cities around the world, with more coming soon.
3. The scans are anonymized so they cannot be traced to that person after the identifier is created.
4. The steps to sign up for a World ID are outlined in the blog post, How to Sign Up for World ID and Use World App.

The Worldcoin Foundation (Foundation), for its part, is the initial steward of the protocol. Its mandate is to support and grow the Worldcoin community until it becomes self-sufficient. It will do this by facilitating decentralization over time, consistent with Worldcoin’s mission and commitments. In practical terms, the Foundation defines protocol governance, token mechanisms, grant programs, community affairs, and more.

Ironically, Altman has played a central role in sparking the current AI gold rush, which has significantly worsened the very problem Worldcoin proposes to solve.

What can I do with WLD tokens? Why would I want them?

Each Orb is provisioned with a private key, which is stored in secure hardware, journal of software engineering research and development articles that authenticates the Orb and signs important messages. Fraud prevention algorithms based on multispectral sensors run locally on the device for maximum privacy. Additionally, a red team supporting the Worldcoin project is continuously testing the device, and several teams are working to further increase the security of the Orb every day.

What is Worldcoin?

The Worldcoin Foundation is the steward, and will support and grow the Worldcoin community until it becomes self-sufficient. Tools for Humanity helped launch Worldcoin, and currently serve as advisors to the Foundation and operators of the World App. After launching, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin expressed his concerns about Worldcoin in a blog post. He argued that the platform’s iris scans could be harvesting more information than the company is letting on, or that someone could potentially scan someone else’s iris in order to determine whether they had a World ID. After signing up more than 2 million users in the beta testing stage, the company claims that 16 million users have registered with Worldcoin.

Anyone can verify their humanness at an Orb without providing information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, social profiles, etc. For a limited-time a grant of 25 WLD, called the Genesis Grant, was offered to all Worldcoin account holders during the Worldcoin launch in summer 2023. Worldcoin account holders could claim it with their World ID, or reserve in their World App to be claimed within 12 months of verifying at an Orb. After receiving a fully verified World ID, users can begin to claim Worldcoin grants. These grants currently include periodic grants, as well as any grants you may have reserved in the past.

As part of this commitment, TFH engages deeply with local laws well before the first Orb arrives in a country, working closely with elected officials, third parties, and relevant associations to ensure full visibility into the Worldcoin project. The Worldcoin Foundation and TFH also partner with organizations to support the homegrown blockchain ecosystem. Worldcoin Operators are currently available in a limited number of locations, but the project plans to offer additional locations in the future. The Orb takes a non-invasive image (photograph) of a user’s poloniex exchange removing 23 crypto trading pairs citing low volume face and iris. In addition, the Orb complies with the specifications set forth in international standards which also includes eye safety (IEC-62741).