Worldcoin

About Worldcoin (WLD)

What Is Worldcoin (WLD)?

Worldcoin is a blockchain-based project that aims to build a global, privacy-preserving digital identity and financial network owned and governed by its users.

The system combines:

• World ID: A digital identity framework designed to prove that a user is a real and unique human (proof of personhood).
• WLD: A cryptocurrency token used for governance and ecosystem incentives.

The core objective of Worldcoin is to enable fair participation in the digital economy, particularly in a future where artificial intelligence and automated agents make it increasingly difficult to distinguish humans online.

Worldcoin, World ID, and World Network: Key Components

Worldcoin (WLD) The cryptoasset associated with the network, intended primarily for governance and incentive distribution.

World ID A privacy-preserving digital identity credential that allows users to prove they are human and unique without revealing personal information.

World Network The broader ecosystem combining identity, wallet infrastructure, and blockchain-based applications.

These components are designed to function together but are conceptually distinct.

How Does World ID Work?

World ID is designed to verify humanness and uniqueness without storing personal data.

The primary verification method involves a physical device called the Orb, which uses multispectral sensors to analyze a user's iris. The process:

• Verifies that the user is a real human.
• Confirms that the user has not registered previously.
• Generates a cryptographic proof rather than storing biometric images.

According to the project, biometric images are deleted locally by default, and the system relies on zero-knowledge proofs so users can authenticate without revealing identity details.

In addition to Orb-based verification, alternative verification methods have been introduced in some regions through the World App to improve accessibility.

What Is the World App?

The World App is the primary wallet and interface for interacting with the Worldcoin ecosystem.

Through the app, users can:

• Create and manage a World ID.
• Receive and store WLD tokens (where legally permitted).
• Interact with supported blockchain applications.

The World App serves as both a crypto wallet and an identity credential manager.

What Is WLD Used For?

The WLD token is designed as a utility and governance token.

Potential uses include:

• Governance participation: Voting on proposals related to the protocol's future.
• Ecosystem incentives: Bootstrapping adoption and rewarding verified users.
• Application utility: Possible use in fees, signaling, or payments within supported apps.

Worldcoin also explores governance models that go beyond traditional one-token-one-vote, potentially combining token-based voting with one-person-one-vote mechanisms enabled by World ID.

Token Distribution and Supply

Maximum supply: 10 billion WLD.

Distribution model:

• A significant portion allocated to the community.
• Allocations for early contributors, investors, and reserves.

Unlock schedule:

WLD follows a multi-year unlock and vesting schedule, with a large share of tokens remaining locked during early phases.

Only a portion of total supply is circulating at any given time, and unlocks can affect market dynamics.

Blockchain Infrastructure

WLD is an ERC-20 token secured by Ethereum.

User grants and most transactions are distributed on Optimism, a Layer 2 network designed to reduce transaction costs and improve scalability while inheriting Ethereum's security model.

Who Is Behind Worldcoin?

Worldcoin was initiated by Tools for Humanity, a technology company responsible for early development of:

• The Orb hardware.
• World App.
• Core protocol components.

The project is overseen by the Worldcoin Foundation, which is responsible for governance, protocol stewardship, and decentralization efforts.

The founding team includes Sam Altman, along with engineers and researchers specializing in cryptography, biometrics, and privacy-preserving systems.

Privacy, Centralization, and Criticism

Worldcoin has attracted significant debate and scrutiny.

Key discussion points include:

• Biometric data concerns: Despite claims of on-device deletion and zero-knowledge proofs, biometric verification raises regulatory and ethical questions in many jurisdictions.
• Centralization risk: Orb manufacturing, software updates, and early governance structures have been criticized as insufficiently decentralized.
• Regulatory response: Worldcoin's operations and token distribution are restricted or suspended in certain countries due to data protection and compliance concerns.

These issues are central to the project's long-term viability and adoption.

How Is the Worldcoin Network Secured?

Security relies on:

• Ethereum's base-layer security.
• Optimism's rollup architecture.
• Cryptographic proofs for identity verification.
• Ongoing audits, bug bounties, and protocol upgrades.

Worldcoin does not use mining; security is inherited from the underlying blockchain infrastructure.

Where Can You Buy Worldcoin (WLD)?

WLD is available on selected centralized cryptocurrency exchanges, subject to regional availability and regulatory restrictions.

In some jurisdictions, WLD grants and trading are not permitted, and access may be limited.