From Worldcoin to World: Sam Altman’s Digital Identity Project Unveils AI-Powered Orb 2.0 and Major Expansio

In a significant move to expand beyond its cryptocurrency roots, Worldcoin has officially rebranded as “World” and introduced several groundbreaking developments in its identity verification ecosystem. The announcement came during a live-streamed event in San Francisco on October 17, 2024, led by company founders Sam Altman and Alex Blania.

Next-Generation Orb Technology

The company unveiled Orb 2.0, a more sophisticated version of its signature iris-scanning device. Powered by Nvidia’s Jetson chipset, the new hardware boasts five times more AI processing capability than its predecessor while featuring fewer components and a smaller footprint. In an innovative move, World plans to make these devices available through self-service kiosks and even offer on-demand scanning services, which World’s chief designer Rich Heley described as being “much like ordering a pizza.”

Expanding Verification Methods

World is broadening its identity verification options beyond iris scanning. The company introduced World ID Credentials, allowing users with NFC-enabled government-issued passports to verify their identity through the World app. Additionally, the company launched World ID Deep Face, a service aimed at combating deepfake technology across various platforms including FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Zoom.

Growth and Adoption

The platform has shown significant traction, with 15 million total users, of whom 7 million have completed verification. World Chain, the project’s Layer 2 Ethereum-based blockchain network, has garnered support from major industry players including Optimism, Alchemy, Uniswap, Safe, Dune, and Etherscan.

Despite these developments, the market response has been cautious. The project’s native token, WLD, experienced a 5% decline following the announcement, trading at $2.13. However, technical analysts note the formation of a falling wedge pattern, which could potentially signal a bullish reversal with targets ranging from $4.01 to $6.57.

CEO Alex Blania emphasized that while OpenAI’s Sam Altman remains actively involved in World, consulting “a couple times a week,” the two companies maintain independent missions. The rebranding and technological advances reflect World’s evolution beyond its initial cryptocurrency focus toward becoming a comprehensive digital identity infrastructure provider in an increasingly AI-driven world.