World’s orbs have scanned millions of peoples’ eyes to verify their identity on a blockchain.

Over the past few years, what sounds like an episode of Black Mirror has been unfolding in real life: millions of people around the world have agreed to let metallic orbs scan their eyes in exchange for receiving blockchain-based ID and a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin.

Beginning this week, Worldcoin (WLD) will be available in most of the US for the first time, including via exchanges like Coinbase. Those who scan their eyes at a World orb will receive 16 WLD. The Sam Altman co-founded startup behind the project, Tools for Humanity, is also working with Visa to release a debit card later this year that converts WLD to fiat currency at checkout. Altman, who is currently the chairman of Tools for Humanity, announced the news alongside CEO Alex Blania at a press event in San Francisco on Wednesday, dubbed “At Last.”

World’s orbs will be available for iris scans at physical “World Space” locations in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco, as well as in Razer gaming stores. Tools for Humanity updated the orb’s physical design last year, and now it’s releasing a smaller “orb mini” that’s designed to be more portable.

Since it was founded by Altman, Blani …

Read the full story at The Verge.


From The Verge via this RSS feed