Sam Altman's World Project Launches in the U.S. with WLD Token Rewards

Taking a bold initiative to address the growing issues of digital identity and AI-driven fake accounts, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has officially launched his crypto-based identity verification project, The World Project, in the United States. Members of the project shall get WLD tokens as rewards, which will be credited to their World Wallet through the World App. Altman has also collaborated with Visa to facilitate payments through World Wallet.

Launch in Six U.S. Cities with WLD Token Rewards

The project has launched first in six large U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. In these cities, users can prove their "personhood"—that they are actual human beings—and get WLD tokens as a reward. The token will double as proof of digital identity and as a utility for crypto transactions down the line.

Today, the World App has more than 26 million global users. The U.S. launch is predicted to strongly drive adoption, though it has also spurred debates on data privacy.

No Biometric Data Storage, Guarantees Privacy

In the face of privacy issues, the World Project made it clear that it does not keep biometric information. It utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) technology to verify identities. This way, the system can authenticate human identity without violating user privacy. The aim is to develop a secure online environment where transactions are ensured to be between actual humans alone.

Crypto Visa Card and Tinder Partnership in the Pipeline

Extending beyond digital ID, The World Project is expanding into digital payments. Launching shortly will be a Crypto Visa Card, enabling users to spend WLD tokens and other cryptocurrencies. Merchants, in turn, will get paid in fiat currency—eliminating issues surrounding crypto volatility.

In a shock development, the project is also entering the online dating space. A pilot collaboration with Match Group (owner of Tinder) has been introduced in Japan to authenticate user identities on dating sites for secure and genuine interactions.