What is Worldcoin (WLD)?

Deep Dive

1. Identity Verification via World ID

Worldcoin’s core innovation is World ID, a privacy-preserving digital identity system. Users verify their humanity via an Orb—a biometric device that scans irises to ensure uniqueness. Data is processed locally and deleted by default, with zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) enabling anonymous verification. This “Proof of Personhood” combats bots and sybil attacks, aiming to underpin applications like voting systems and AI-resistant authentication.

2. Tokenomics and Distribution

WLD tokens are distributed as grants to Orb-verified users, with the goal of becoming the most widely held cryptocurrency. The supply is capped at 10 billion, with 80% allocated to users over 15 years. WLD functions as:
- Governance: Voting rights over protocol upgrades (e.g., integrating “one-person-one-vote” mechanisms).
- Utility: Pays gas fees on World Chain (its Ethereum Layer-2 network) and serves as currency in apps like World App.

3. Ecosystem and Vision

Worldcoin’s ecosystem includes:
- World Chain: A blockchain optimized for human-centric transactions, prioritizing verified users.
- World App: A wallet supporting WLD, Ethereum, and USDC, used by over 33 million people as of September 2025.
The project seeks to democratize access to global finance and governance, particularly in regions with limited documentation.

Conclusion

Worldcoin merges biometric identity, token distribution, and decentralized governance to reimagine economic participation. Its success hinges on balancing privacy concerns with scalable adoption. Can Worldcoin’s vision of universal digital identity coexist with growing regulatory scrutiny over biometric data?