Worldcoin Deploys Controversial Iris-Scan ID in Six U.S. Metros—Privacy Advocates See Dystopia, Traders See ’Bullish’

Sam Altman’s crypto venture Worldcoin is rolling out its biometric orb scanners in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and three other major U.S. cities—offering WLD tokens in exchange for eyeball scans.

Privacy nightmare or Web3 breakthrough? The project claims its ’proof-of-personhood’ system fights bots, while critics call it a surveillance play wrapped in crypto glitter. ’At least it’s not another meme coin,’ quipped one jaded hedge fund manager.

Early adopters get 25 WLD (~$12) for scanning their irises—a deal that either values your biometric data at lunch money prices, or cleverly subsidizes user acquisition with Monopoly money. The orbs are now live in 30+ countries, but U.S. regulators are already circling like hawks.

Eye-Scanning Verification Initiates Across Six Cities

Worldcoin unveiled its identity verification system, particularly in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Nashville, and Miami. The inclusion of Afyon in the list is likely a typographical error, possibly confused with another city. The CORE of the system features specialized devices conducting users’ iris scans. The biometric data ensures the user’s recognition as a singular entity in the digital space.

WLD tokens are offered to users in exchange for verification, which can be utilized across various digital platforms as authentication tools. According to information shared on the company’s blog, the verification process is structured to secure both the users and the system. Worldcoin representatives emphasize that the application operates only in specified cities and on a voluntary basis.

Regulatory Obstacles and Market Implications

Identity creation through eye scanning persists as a topic of debate in many countries. Notably, Spain and Portugal had halted Worldcoin operations based on data security and biometric data storage conditions. European regulators argue that the centralized collection of such data may pose risks to fundamental rights and freedoms.

Nonetheless, Worldcoin continues to test its technology in various industries. Partnership trials with Visa are underway for debit card alignments and identity verification. The company plans to integrate its identity solution into payment and social media systems. Additionally, Coinbase recently announced the addition of the WLD token to its platform, signaling significant corporate acceptance of Worldcoin.

The price of WLD tokens surged rapidly following the launch but soon declined to $1.08. Despite this fluctuation, an almost 20% increase over the past week demonstrates ongoing investor interest. The technological infrastructure provided by Worldcoin fuels market activity while simultaneously confronting new regulatory challenges.