The long-anticipated mainnet launch of Worldcoin, the digital identity project backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has officially gone live. The announcement was confirmed via the project’s official Twitter account, marking a pivotal moment for the controversial yet innovative ecosystem. After months of beta testing and global user onboarding through biometric verification, Worldcoin has transitioned from concept to operational blockchain network.
This milestone introduces WLD, the native token of the Worldcoin protocol, which saw its value surge 68% immediately after trading began, opening at $2.80 on major exchanges including OKX, Binance, and Bybit.
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A New Identity and Financial Infrastructure
At the core of Worldcoin lies a bold vision: to build a global, privacy-preserving digital identity system that enables fair access to financial tools in an increasingly AI-driven world. The foundation of this system is World ID, a unique, cryptographically secure identifier that proves a user is a real, distinct human—without revealing personal data.
To create a World ID, users undergo iris scanning using a handheld biometric device known as the Orb. These devices, weighing just under 6.2 pounds (2.8 kg), are deployed in select cities worldwide and ensure that each individual can only register once—a mechanism designed to prevent fraud and sybil attacks.
Despite early skepticism around privacy implications, the team behind Worldcoin, Tools for Humanity, emphasizes that no biometric data is stored. Instead, the scan generates a zero-knowledge proof—a cryptographic confirmation that the person is human and unique, while keeping raw data private.
So far, over 2 million users have registered for World ID during the test phase, with strong adoption in cities like Barcelona, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Seoul, and Tokyo. This geographic focus has drawn criticism for uneven accessibility, but the team plans to expand rapidly.
Introducing World App: Wallet Meets Identity
Complementing World ID is the World App, a mobile wallet that functions as both a digital passport and financial gateway. Users can send and receive funds using fiat or crypto, pay merchants, and now claim their WLD tokens directly within the app.
Originally launched in August with gasless transactions on the Optimism network, the app serves as the primary interface for interacting with the Worldcoin ecosystem. With mainnet activation, all core functionalities—including token transfers and identity verification—are now fully decentralized and live on-chain.
The integration with Polygon for future scalability underscores Worldcoin’s commitment to low-cost, high-speed transactions. As more decentralized applications (dApps) adopt proof-of-personhood systems, World App could become a universal login and payment solution across Web3 platforms.
👉 See how next-gen wallets are merging identity and finance in one seamless experience.
Tokenomics: Fair Distribution and Long-Term Incentives
According to the newly released tokenomics document, the total initial supply of WLD tokens is set at 1 billion:
- 75% allocated to the community (via grants, incentives, and ecosystem growth)
- 13.5% to investors
- 9.8% to the founding team
- 1.7% held in reserve
Of the community allocation, 750 million WLD tokens will vest over 15 years, ensuring long-term alignment between stakeholders. Additionally, early adopters who completed iris verification during the beta phase received genesis airdrops, with over 90,000 users eligible to claim approximately 25 tokens each.
Post-unlock, the community may vote to introduce a maximum annual inflation rate of 1.5%, funding ongoing development and participation rewards.
Current circulating supply stands at around 143 million tokens, with broader distribution scheduled through staking programs, developer grants, and global expansion initiatives.
Mainnet Migration and Global Expansion Plans
The official mainnet launch follows Worldcoin’s migration to the OP Stack, aligning it with Optimism’s modular blockchain framework. This move enhances scalability and interoperability while maintaining Ethereum-level security.
Looking ahead, the team has announced plans to deploy 1,500 Orbs across 35+ countries and more than 20 major cities by year-end. This aggressive rollout aims to accelerate user acquisition and improve access in underserved regions.
However, regulatory challenges remain. Due to compliance restrictions, WLD tokens are not available to users in the United States, limiting immediate market reach despite strong global interest.
Criticism and Controversy: Privacy vs. Progress
Worldcoin’s biometric approach has sparked intense debate within the crypto and tech communities.
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey voiced concern, tweeting:
“No company or country should ever control any part of a global financial system.”
His critique highlights fears about centralized control over identity infrastructure—even when built on decentralized networks.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also published a detailed analysis questioning the ethics and risks of biometric-based proof-of-personhood (PoP) systems. While supportive of the concept in theory, he raised concerns about coercion, exclusion, and long-term data misuse—even with zero-knowledge proofs.
In response, Tools for Humanity maintains that all processing is local, irreversible, and privacy-first. They argue that proving unique humanness is essential to counter AI-driven misinformation, botnets, and unequal access to digital resources.
Exchange Listings and Market Performance
Major cryptocurrency exchanges moved swiftly to list WLD upon launch:
- HTX
- Bybit
- OKX
- Binance
- Bitget
- KuCoin
- Bithumb
Deposits opened shortly after mainnet activation, with withdrawals expected within 24 hours. Trading commenced at $2.80, reflecting strong demand and bullish sentiment around mass adoption potential.
The 68% price surge in early trading signals robust market confidence—but also highlights volatility risks common in newly launched assets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Worldcoin?
A: Worldcoin is a decentralized protocol combining digital identity (World ID) with a cryptocurrency (WLD), aiming to verify unique human identity online while enabling inclusive financial services.
Q: How do I get a World ID?
A: You can create a World ID by visiting an Orb location and completing an iris scan. The process is free and designed to be one-time per person.
Q: Is my biometric data safe?
A: Yes. Raw biometric data is not stored. The Orb generates a cryptographic hash locally, which is then deleted after creating a zero-knowledge proof of uniqueness.
Q: Where can I buy WLD tokens?
A: WLD is listed on major exchanges including OKX, Binance, Bybit, and KuCoin. Check local regulations before purchasing.
Q: Why isn’t WLD available in the U.S.?
A: Due to evolving regulatory frameworks around digital assets, WLD is currently restricted for U.S.-based users.
Q: What problem does Worldcoin solve?
A: It addresses the growing challenge of distinguishing humans from AI bots online—enabling fair access to digital goods, voting systems, UBI experiments, and decentralized finance.
With its mainnet live and token trading underway, Worldcoin stands at the intersection of identity, privacy, and financial inclusion. While challenges remain, its ambitious mission continues to attract attention—and investment—from across the tech and blockchain worlds.
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