The Eye of the Storm: Is Sam Altman’s World ID the Next Big Thing in Digital Identity?

The world of digital identity is about to get a radical overhaul—and it’s all about the eyes. Sam Altman, the man behind OpenAI and now the CEO of Tools for Humanity, has launched his controversial eye-scanning ID project, World ID, in the U.S. with six flagship locations. This isn’t just another tech gimmick; it’s a bold play to redefine how we verify humanity in an age of AI and crypto. Let’s dig into whether this could be a game-changer—or a privacy nightmare.

The Tech: Scanning the Future, One Iris at a Time
At the heart of this project is the Orb, a sleek, futuristic device that scans your iris, facial features, and thermal signature to create a unique biometric profile. This data is encrypted and stored as part of the World ID system, which promises to be a decentralized, global identity verification network. The goal? To create a “human-only” digital token—Worldcoin (WLD)—that could be used for everything from crypto transactions to accessing exclusive services.

The U.S. Rollout: Six Stores, Big Ambitions
Tools for Humanity has opened six “World Space” stores in major U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. These Apple-esque stores aren’t just for tech geeks—they’re hubs for enrolling in the World ID system. Pair that with partnerships with Razer’s gaming stores and portable Orb Mini devices, and the reach expands further. But here’s the kicker: users who verify their identity get a Visa-linked debit card that converts their WLD into real money.

This isn’t just about biometrics; it’s a play to integrate crypto into everyday finance. And with Visa’s backing, it’s already gaining traction.

The Partnerships That Could Make or Break It
- Visa (V): The World ID Visa card is a game-changer. By letting users spend WLD like cash, Visa is bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance.

- Coinbase (COIN): WLD trading began on Coinbase in May, and early allocations of 16 WLD per verified user could drive demand.

- The World Wallet App: This isn’t just a crypto wallet—it’s a hub for encrypted messaging, Tinder verification, and even prediction markets via mini-apps like Kalshi.

These partnerships are turning World ID into a full-stack ecosystem, not just a biometric tool.

Global Ambitions—and Growing Pains
While the U.S. rollout is new, World ID has been active in over 20 countries since 2023. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Brazil’s data regulators have raised red flags, and the UK, Hong Kong, and others have paused operations over privacy concerns. Critics argue that storing biometric data—even in a decentralized way—creates a honeypot for hackers or authoritarian regimes.

Yet, Tools for Humanity isn’t backing down. They’re aiming for 12 million verified users by 2025 (they’ve already hit that target) and plan to expand into home delivery of Orb Minis in Latin America. The vision? A global identity layer for the AI economy.

The Investment Case: Bulls and Bears
Why Buy In?
1. First-Mover Advantage: World ID is the first scalable biometric ID system tied to crypto. If it works, it could become a de facto standard.
2. Partnership Power: Visa and Coinbase aren’t just names—they’re gateways to mainstream adoption.
3. Regulatory Tailwind: The Trump administration’s lax crypto stance has cleared hurdles, unlike the Gensler-era SEC.

Why Be Cautious?
1. Privacy Backlash: Lawsuits are inevitable. The $240M in venture funding (from Andreessen Horowitz and others) may not be enough to weather legal storms.
2. Regulatory Risks: The U.S. may get friendlier, but Europe and Asia could shut it down over data concerns.
3. Crypto Volatility: WLD’s value is tied to crypto markets, which are notoriously unstable.

The Bottom Line: A Risky, High-Potential Play
Investors should take World ID seriously—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s the closest thing we have to a universal digital identity system. The Visa partnership alone gives it a leg up, and the $240M in funding suggests big backers believe in its future.

But here’s the catch: this is still a Wild West scenario. If Tools for Humanity can navigate privacy fears and scale without a data breach, WLD could become the “ID coin” of Web3. If not? It’s another cautionary tale.

For now, keep an eye on Visa (V) and Coinbase (COIN) as proxies for World ID’s success. And remember: in tech investing, first movers win—unless they crash and burn.

Final Call: Buy the dip on Visa and Coinbase, but tread carefully with WLD unless regulatory clarity emerges. This is a moonshot with a 50/50 shot—exciting, but only for risk-takers.

Data as of Q2 2025. Past performance does not guarantee future results.