Sam Altman, a co-founder of Worldcoin, posted a video depicting a huge line of individuals allegedly waiting to receive 25 Worldcoin (WLD) tokens or $50 worth of Worldcoin (WLD) tokens in Japan.
In the middle of a flurry of conversations about Worldcoin and its waning popularity, co-founder Sam Altman recently shared an engrossing video that drew the eye of cryptocurrency aficionados. The video shows a large line of individuals eagerly waiting in Japan to receive their fair portion of “free” Worldcoin (WLD) tokens. These aficionados are asked to present their identification through an iris scan in return for the tokens.
According to Altman’s tweet, which is accompanied by the captivating video, one individual at the Orb venues is getting authenticated every eight seconds. The Orb is a state-of-the-art biometric verification tool that, following successful data collecting, issues users a World ID. In order to ease the onboarding process on a previously unheard-of scale, Worldcoin’s ambitious strategy calls for the establishment of similar Orb locations all over the world.
Related: Worldcoin's Token Launch Draws Criticism from Vitalik Buterin
day 3 of @worldcoin launch, crazy lines around the world. one person getting verified every 8 seconds now. pic.twitter.com/vHRu1sWMT3
— Sam Altman (@sama) July 26, 2023
Hong Kong’s answer presents a different picture from Japan’s seeming enthusiastic embrace of the idea. According to reports, the three Orbs in Hong Kong only received 200 sign-ups on their first day and 600 overall.
Leading cryptocurrency heavyweights like Twitter’s Jack Dorsey and Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin have expressed alarm about the possible effects of such a system as Worldcoin continues to get prominence. They worry that it might go against the fundamental tenets of the crypto ecosystem, such as decentralization, accessibility, and privacy.
The scheme is also under investigation by UK data regulators. According to reports, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has highlighted concerns over key biometric data security and privacy. The ICO hasn’t, however, formally acknowledged any inquiries about Worldcoin.
Related: UK Data Regulators to Investigate Worldcoin
The future of Worldcoin is in doubt as the argument continues. The future of this ambitious blockchain project is still up in the air due to conflicting reactions and regulatory difficulties. But one thing is certain: Worldcoin has undoubtedly sparked a furious discussion inside the cryptocurrency industry, igniting strong debates over its possible impact on privacy and the guiding principles of the world of digital currencies.