OpenAI founder's Worldcoin project progresses! Launching identity protocol World ID, mainnet and tokens to go live this year

Sam Altman, CEO of the company behind the ChatGPT chatbot, has also been involved in the cryptocurrency industry. In 2020, he launched the well-known Worldcoin project, which allows people around the world to obtain free cryptocurrency by scanning their irises using iris recognition technology. Recently, this project has made significant progress, introducing the digital identity protocol World ID, with the mainnet and tokens expected to go live in the first half of this year.

For a more in-depth understanding of this article, it is recommended to read: Scan iris for cryptocurrency! Introduction to Worldcoin's global promotion plan

Worldcoin Launches Digital Passport - World ID

According to the announcement released by Worldcoin last week, they have introduced the underlying identity protocol World ID supported by zero-knowledge technology and the related SDK software development kit.

The officials stated that World ID can be seen as a global digital passport stored on a mobile phone, allowing the holder to prove themselves as a real and unique person without sharing any personal information through zero-knowledge proof. World ID supports various types of verifications and can currently be verified with a phone number or privacy-protecting iris at the time of launch.

Furthermore, it is emphasized by the officials that World ID does not originate from or tie to the holder's biometric data, phone numbers, or personal information like cryptocurrency wallets. Essentially, it is more like the concept of stamps on a passport to certify its authenticity.

Getting Started with World ID

Worldcoin's mobile app is currently available in some countries but not yet in Taiwan. Most countries only support phone verification, while iris verification is limited to Argentina, Chile, India, Kenya, Portugal, and Spain.

The simplest way to use World ID is as a login method, where users can choose to log in with Worldcoin on supported websites, apps, or DApps to verify their identity. Additionally, Worldcoin allows users to set up multiple accounts with one World ID, which is the concept of alias accounts, where only the user knows that these accounts all belong to their World ID.

Iris Scanning Device Orb in Mass Production, Worldcoin Mainnet to Launch This Year

In addition to the news about World ID, according to The Block's report, insiders revealed that Worldcoin is collaborating with the Florida-based global manufacturing giant Jabil to increase the production of the iris scanning device Orb, currently producing about 400 units per month.

Furthermore, the Worldcoin token and mainnet are expected to launch in the first half of this year, with approximately 1.3 million registered users for the Worldcoin project at present.