Worldcoin: What It Is, How It Works, and Key Features Explained

Worldcoin has emerged as one of the most ambitious—and controversial—projects at the intersection of cryptocurrency, identity verification, and universal access to digital money. Co-founded in 2019 by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and launched globally in 2023, Worldcoin proposes a radical way to distribute digital currency while establishing a new foundation for online identity. The project’s distinguishing feature is the use of an “Orb”—a biometric device that scans people’s irises to verify their uniqueness and grant them Worldcoin (WLD) tokens. This vision of a universal, privacy-preserving digital identity and currency has generated widespread interest, intense debate, and critical scrutiny from privacy advocates, regulators, and technologists. What Is Worldcoin? Understanding the Concept and Mission Worldcoin’s stated goal is simple in theory: provide every person on Earth with a means of proving they are unique, and eligible, for a universal digital income powered by blockchain technolo