Worldcoin (WLD) aims to establish the largest global identity and financial network, functioning as a public utility that grants ownership to individuals everywhere. Central to this initiative is the creation of a robust infrastructure that will be vital in an era where artificial intelligence significantly influences our lives.
At the heart of the Worldcoin ecosystem lies World ID, a global identity network that prioritizes user privacy. This innovative system allows individuals to confirm their identity online while safeguarding their personal information through zero-knowledge proofs. With World ID, users can demonstrate their uniqueness as real humans to various platforms that adopt this protocol, including web3 applications, social media networks, and government services. This capability supports equitable airdrops or token/NFT distributions, protects against bot and sybil attacks on social platforms, and facilitates a fairer allocation of limited governmental resources.
Moreover, World ID opens the door to enhanced democratic engagement and innovative governance models, such as quadratic voting, and may pave the way for AI-supported universal basic income (UBI). The Worldcoin token (WLD), in conjunction with World ID, empowers users to play a role in steering the Worldcoin protocol.
To participate in the Worldcoin ecosystem, individuals must first download a compatible wallet app to create their World ID. They will then visit a specialized imaging device known as the Orb to receive Orb verification for their World ID. These Orbs are managed by a network of independent local businesses referred to as Orb Operators. The Orb employs multispectral sensors to authenticate both the humanity and uniqueness of users, issuing an Orb-verified World ID while ensuring that all images are deleted immediately on the device, unless explicit consent for data custody is provided.
Holders of Orb-verified World IDs are eligible to receive recurring grants of WLD tokens, subject to specific availability criteria. The WLD token serves both as a utility token and a governance tool within the Worldcoin framework.