Worldcoin rebrands as World, targets 1 billion users with new blockchain and biometric tech

Worldcoin, the Sam Altman-backed digital identity initiative, announced a major rebrand as World and unveiled ambitious plans to grow its user base to 1 billion people during a keynote address on Oct. 17.

The keynote, led by co-founders Altman and Alex Blania, marked a significant shift in the project’s trajectory after it announced a series of key updates designed to drive global adoption of its decentralized identity platform.

The updates included the launch of World Chain, an Ethereum-secured Layer 2 blockchain, and the unveiling of a new version of the project’s biometric Orb devices.

Accelerating growth

The rebranding highlights World Network’s evolving mission, transitioning from its original identity verification model to a broader, more decentralized network.

With 15 million users currently, including 7 million verified through its Orb technology, the platform has set its sights on dramatically increasing that number as it looks to onboard a billion verified human users.

Blania, who is also the CEO of Tools for Humanity, noted that the project is now focused on scalability and decentralization. He said:

“Today, we are taking the next big step in our mission — scaling the World Network to reach 1 billion users.”

World’s new version of the Orb, which scans a user’s iris to verify their identity, is central to the project’s ambition to grow its global footprint. Blania said World will triple its production capacity and expand into new countries, including flagship locations in Buenos Aires and Mexico City.

The updated Orbs will be made available in public spaces such as cafes and will even be deliverable on demand, part of a wider effort to make verification more accessible. The rollout of these new Orbs is expected by spring 2025.