Key Takeaways
- World Network (formerly Worldcoin) combines biometric identity verification with blockchain technology to create a global proof of personhood system.
- The project uses specialized hardware called “Orbs” that scan irises to create unique digital identities while preserving user privacy through zero-knowledge proofs.
- World ID functions as a digital passport that allows users to prove their humanity online without revealing personal information.
- The WLD token serves as both a utility token within the ecosystem and a governance mechanism for future protocol development.
- Despite ambitious goals for global adoption, the project faces regulatory challenges and has experienced significant price volatility, with WLD currently trading 93% below its all-time high.
World Network, formerly known as Worldcoin, represents one of the most ambitious attempts to bridge digital identity and blockchain technology. The project aims to create a globally inclusive identity and financial network accessible to everyone regardless of their geographical location or economic status. By establishing a universal “proof of personhood” system, World Network seeks to solve fundamental problems in distinguishing humans from AI bots in online interactions while maintaining privacy.
The project gained significant attention in 2023 when it officially launched its biometric verification system across more than 35 countries, and has continued development with major updates including World ID 2.0 in late 2024. As of April 11, 2025, WLD is trading at approximately $0.74 per token with a circulating supply of 1.25 billion, giving it a market capitalization of around $925 million.
What Is World Network?
World Network is a digital identity project that combines blockchain technology with biometric verification to create a global “proof of personhood” system. It aims to provide a solution to the increasing challenge of distinguishing between real humans and AI bots online, particularly important in an era where AI-generated content is becoming indistinguishable from human-created content.
The core philosophy behind World Network is to create an inclusive financial and identity network owned by most of humanity that remains accessible to everyone regardless of background or economic status. The project was originally conceived to potentially serve as a distribution mechanism for Universal Basic Income (UBI), though its scope has expanded to focus on creating foundational identity infrastructure for the digital age.
The network consists of several key components: World ID (a privacy-preserving digital identity verification system), World Chain (a blockchain designed specifically for human interactions), and World App (the primary interface for users). Together, these elements form an ecosystem that enables verified human users to participate in a global community while maintaining control over their personal data.
Who Is Behind World Network?
World Network was co-founded in 2021 by Alex Blania, Max Novendstern, and Sam Altman, who is also the co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. The team began working together in 2019 when they formed Tools for Humanity (TFH), the company responsible for the initial research and development of the Worldcoin project.
The governance structure includes the Worldcoin Foundation, a non-profit entity established in October 2022 to oversee the project. This foundation holds the intellectual property, smart contracts, software development kits, patents for the Orb device design and iris technology, as well as brand assets and domains. The foundation was created to guide the project toward progressive and eventual community governance.
Throughout its development, World Network has formed notable partnerships that have expanded its ecosystem. In June 2023, identity verification provider Okta’s Auth0 Marketplace added support for sign-ins with World ID. Talent Protocol became the first Web3 platform to support World ID authentication. Later in 2023, Worldcoin partnered with Ramp to provide off-ramping capabilities for WLD token holders, enabling conversion of WLD into fiat currency.
How World Network Works: A Technical Explanation
At the heart of World Network’s technology is the unique approach to identity verification through its custom biometric hardware called “Orbs.” These specialized devices capture images of a user’s iris, which is then converted into a numeric code to generate a unique World ID. This approach addresses a fundamental challenge in digital identity: ensuring uniqueness without compromising privacy.
The iris scan goes through a sophisticated process using secure multiparty computation (SMPC) and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). SMPC ensures that no single party has access to the complete data during processing, while ZKPs allow users to prove their identity without revealing any personal information. After verification, the original iris images are deleted, and only the derived IrisCode remains as part of the system.
World ID functions as a digital passport that allows users to prove they are human in online activities without sharing personal information like names, email addresses, or phone numbers. Users can utilize World ID to authenticate themselves on websites and applications, similar to “Sign in with Google” functionality, but with the added benefit of privacy preservation. The system can also help combat deepfakes by verifying the authenticity of videos and other digital content.
The project’s blockchain component, World Chain, is being developed as a Layer 2 rollup on the Ethereum network. This blockchain prioritizes human-centric transactions over bots, creating a more secure and authentic digital environment. The WLD token serves as both a utility token within the ecosystem and as a governance mechanism, allowing users to participate in decision-making processes regarding the future development of the protocol.
Current Status of World Network In The Wider Ecosystem
Within the digital identity sector, World Network stands out for its ambitious approach to creating a global, privacy-preserving identity system. While traditional identity verification systems typically rely on government-issued documents or centralized databases, World Network has pioneered a decentralized method that emphasizes user privacy and data ownership.
The project has achieved notable adoption milestones, surpassing two million World ID sign-ups by July 2023. By releasing the World ID SDK to developers, the project has expanded its ecosystem, enabling integration with various applications. This has positioned World Network as a potential standard for human verification in the blockchain space and beyond.
However, the project has faced regulatory challenges in several jurisdictions. Concerns about biometric data collection and privacy have led to scrutiny from regulatory bodies in various countries. These challenges highlight the tension between innovation in the digital identity space and existing regulatory frameworks designed for traditional identity systems.
In the broader cryptocurrency market, World Network occupies a unique position as it bridges identity verification and financial infrastructure. While many projects focus solely on financial transactions or decentralized applications, World Network’s emphasis on solving the fundamental problem of digital identity verification gives it a distinctive value proposition in the ecosystem.
World Network’s Price Journey
The WLD token has experienced significant volatility since its launch. After an initial period of enthusiasm following its official launch in July 2023, the token’s price saw substantial fluctuations throughout 2024 and into 2025. The token reached its all-time high of approximately €10.39 (about $11.74) on March 10, 2024.
However, since the beginning of 2025, WLD has undergone a dramatic correction, losing over 70% of its value. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including broader cryptocurrency market conditions, regulatory uncertainties surrounding the project’s biometric data collection, and potential concerns about the token’s long-term utility and adoption.
As of April 11, 2025, WLD trades at approximately $0.74, which represents a 93.7% decrease from its all-time high. Despite this significant price decline, the token has shown some signs of recovery, with a 6.29% increase in the 24 hours prior to April 12, 2025.
Current Data & Interesting Statistics About World Network
- World Network has onboarded over 2.3 million users who have completed the iris verification process using the Orb devices.
- There are currently 1.25 billion WLD tokens in circulation out of a total supply of 10 billion tokens.
- The project has deployed over 1,500 Orb devices across more than 35 countries spanning Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
- World ID 2.0, launched in December 2024, introduced three levels of user verification and integration with platforms like Reddit and Discord.
- The 24-hour trading volume of WLD is approximately $109 million as of recent data, showing active market interest despite price volatility.
- Zero-knowledge proofs and secure multiparty computation form the technological foundation of the project’s privacy-preserving features.
- One wallet reportedly holds more than 20% of WLD’s supply, raising potential concerns about token concentration.
What Is The Future of World Network?
The future outlook for World Network depends largely on its ability to navigate regulatory challenges while expanding its user base globally. The project’s roadmap includes the launch of World Chain, which promises to create a more human-centric blockchain environment by prioritizing transactions from verified users. This could potentially provide a solution to the growing problem of bot activity in blockchain networks and beyond.
Industry analysts suggest that if World Network can overcome privacy concerns and regulatory hurdles, its technology could become foundational infrastructure for distinguishing humans from AI in the digital realm. Price predictions vary widely, with some forecasting potential recovery by 2030 to levels between $3.19 and $12.35 per token if adoption continues to grow.
The project’s success will ultimately hinge on striking the right balance between privacy protection and creating a verifiable identity system that adds genuine value across multiple sectors. The core innovation of World Network—the ability to prove humanity without revealing identity—may become increasingly valuable as AI capabilities continue to advance.
Looking Beyond the Technology: The Human Impact
World Network represents one of the most ambitious attempts to solve the increasingly critical problem of distinguishing between humans and AI in digital spaces. While the project has faced significant challenges—from regulatory scrutiny to price volatility—its core vision addresses a fundamental need in our increasingly digital world. The ability to verify human identity without compromising privacy could transform everything from online voting to social media verification, potentially creating more trusted digital environments.
The technical complexity of the project, combining biometric hardware, zero-knowledge proofs, and blockchain technology, demonstrates the sophistication required to address modern digital identity challenges. Whether World Network ultimately succeeds in its vision of creating a globally inclusive identity network remains to be seen, but its approach highlights the growing recognition that as AI becomes more sophisticated, establishing human uniqueness online will become an essential component of digital infrastructure. In a world where being provably human may soon become a valuable digital attribute, World Network’s experimental approach may prove prescient regardless of its eventual market performance.
Michael Crag
