Although the biometric-scanning Orb and the World network have origins in cryptocurrency tokens, the term “crypto” was not frequently mentioned during the event. Instead, Altman and Blania highlighted World’s services in blockchain, digital asset management, and tools for virtual communication.
During the press briefing, Blania stated that World aspires to create the “largest finance network” on Earth in the future.
In a different interview with WIRED, Blania mentioned that regular Sunday meetings at Altman’s house were inspired by the emergence of PayPal. Just as Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, and others transformed digital payments and revolutionized online commerce—ultimately becoming billionaires—the World team envisions themselves establishing a corresponding network for tokens on a distributed system.
Currently, the World app is available for free to all users, including the biometric iris scanning feature. Tools for Humanity, the parent organization, is venture-backed and aims to secure a large portion of the modern identity verification landscape and your personal biometric data, with a primary focus on scaling operations. According to Blania, they may eventually generate revenue through processing fees.
As of now, most of Tools for Humanity’s growth initiatives are focused outside the US due to ambiguous regulations regarding cryptocurrencies domestically, as indicated by the organization’s spokesperson.
In the US, if you utilize the Orb and its associated app, it will scan and save your iris data without generating any cryptocurrency token for you.
Two and a half years ago, the Worldcoin project faced criticism for allegedly misleading and exploitative methods used to recruit participants for iris scanning. Blania explained that such erratic behavior was a reflection of the organization still being in its “startup” phase. In a WIRED interview, he noted that the company is undertaking “like, a thousand things” to establish a more stringent consent process, which includes setting up an “operational team” in every market where World operates. He affirmed that the World app will provide clear “explanations” regarding the product’s functioning.
“And again, there is no data stored in any central location or anything,” Blania emphasized.
In 2023, the service also faced investigations by governments in Germany, Brazil, India, South Korea, and Kenya over concerns related to the storage and usage of biometric data. Kenya completely halted Worldcoin enrollment, while South Korea imposed a fine on the company. Worldcoin suspended its services in India, Brazil, and France.
Blania expressed optimism that World would make a comeback in Kenya “sometime soon.”
When questioned during the press briefing about the focus on Latin America as a target market for expansion, particularly through the partnership with Rappi for orb deliveries, Blania rejected the notion that World was favoring Latin America over other regions.
“It’s simply a matter of limited resources, and there’s a natural sequencing in play,” Blania explained. “We are equally dedicated to Asia and other areas. For instance, Argentina has emerged as a rapidly growing market for us, and we are enthusiastic about that.”
“But the project is literally called World,” he emphasized.
After the keynote speech, Altman made a brief appearance in the press room to wave and apologize for not being able to stay longer, before discreetly departing like a dignitary.
