The World Network—formerly known as Worldcoin—has unveiled a series of transformative updates at the New World event in San Francisco. Co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, the project is evolving from a cryptocurrency initiative into a comprehensive digital identity and financial network designed for a future where humans remain central amid rapid AI advancement.
This major release marks a pivotal moment in the project’s five-year journey, introducing new hardware, upgraded protocols, and a rebranded vision centered around inclusivity, privacy, and human verification in the digital world.
The 5 Key Announcements from the New World Event
1. Next-Gen Orb with Advanced Verification Technology
At the heart of World Network’s identity system is the Orb—a custom-built biometric device that verifies individuals as unique humans without compromising privacy. The newly unveiled Orb features significant hardware and software improvements:
- Powered by the latest NVIDIA Jetson chip, delivering nearly 5x higher AI performance than its predecessor.
- 30% fewer components, simplifying manufacturing and maintenance.
- Equipped with a removable external SD card for full auditability and transparency.
- Enhanced speed and accuracy in facial recognition using multi-spectral sensors.
These upgrades enable scalable deployment models such as flagship verification centers, on-demand Orbs, and self-service kiosks, making human verification more accessible globally.
👉 Discover how decentralized identity is reshaping digital access today.
2. World ID 3.0: Introducing Credentials and Deep Face
World ID 3.0 represents a leap forward in secure, privacy-preserving digital identity. It introduces two groundbreaking features: World ID Credentials and Deep Face.
World ID Credentials
Not everyone can access an Orb for in-person verification. To bridge this gap, World ID Credentials allow users to securely store NFC-enabled physical documents—like passports—within the World App. Using zero-knowledge proofs, individuals can then verify attributes such as:
- Age
- Nationality
- Unique document ownership
…all without revealing their actual identity or sensitive personal data.
Importantly, the World Foundation has approved a policy allowing verified passport holders to claim WLD tokens (if eligible) even before completing full Orb verification—expanding access to those in remote or underserved regions.
Deep Face & AMPC: Fighting Digital Fraud
To combat synthetic identities and deepfakes, World ID 3.0 integrates Deep Face, a new anti-fraud mechanism powered by advanced AI analysis. Combined with AMPC (World Network’s next-generation secure multi-party computation framework), it strengthens privacy while ensuring only real humans gain access to the network.
3. World App 3.0: A Super App for Humans
The World App 3.0 is a complete redesign aimed at becoming a universal gateway to the decentralized internet. More than just a wallet, it now functions as a super app for verified humans, featuring:
- Mini Apps Platform: Third-party applications can run directly inside the World App, integrating seamlessly with your World ID, digital wallet, and anonymous contacts.
- Vault & World Pay: Enhanced financial tools for secure asset storage and peer-to-peer payments (where available).
- Credential Storage: Keep verified credentials safe and ready for use across services.
- Community & Security Features: New tools to protect users from scams and enhance trust within the network.
This evolution positions the World App not just as a crypto wallet but as a foundational layer for human-first digital experiences.
👉 See how next-gen wallets are redefining online identity and finance.
4. World Chain Goes Live: A Blockchain for Verified Humans
As of October 17, World Chain has officially launched on mainnet.
With over 15 million World ID holders already migrated or in the process of migrating, World Chain becomes the first blockchain designed to prioritize transactions from real, verified humans.
Built on Optimism’s OP Stack and secured by Ethereum, World Chain offers:
- Native integration with World ID
- Priority blockspace access for verified users
- Low transaction fees through rollup technology
- Support from leading Web3 platforms including Uniswap, Safe, Dune, Alchemy, and Etherscan
By linking blockchain activity directly to human identity, World Chain aims to prevent bot dominance, ensure fair airdrops, and enable new forms of democratic governance online.
5. From Worldcoin to World Network: A Broader Vision
Perhaps the most significant announcement was the rebranding of the entire ecosystem from Worldcoin to World Network.
Why? Because “Worldcoin” no longer captures the full scope of what this project has become.
World Network is now structured around three core pillars:
- World ID – Proof-of-personhood protocol
- World Chain – Human-first blockchain
- Worldcoin (WLD) – The network’s native token
Together, they form a unified system designed to empower every person on Earth with digital identity, financial inclusion, and protection against AI-driven impersonation.
Sam Altman and Alex Blania emphasized that the mission is no longer just about launching a cryptocurrency—it’s about building a global infrastructure where humans remain central in an age of artificial intelligence.
What Is World Network?
World Network was founded on the belief that a fairer digital future requires a reliable way to distinguish humans from machines. Its mission is to create a globally inclusive network of verified human identities, enabling:
- Economic opportunity for billions
- Protection against online bots and fraud
- Privacy-preserving digital credentials
- Transparent democratic processes
- Exploration of AI-funded Universal Basic Income (UBI)
At its core lies the concept of proof-of-personhood: a cryptographic method to verify that each participant is a real, unique human—without exposing personal information.
As AI systems grow more sophisticated, distinguishing real users from automated agents becomes increasingly difficult. World ID aims to solve this by combining custom hardware (the Orb), biometric verification, and zero-knowledge cryptography.
How Does It Work?
- Download the World App
Users begin by downloading the app—the first front-end interface for creating and managing a World ID. Get Verified via Orb
Individuals visit an Orb operated by local partners (Orb Operators) who run independent verification sessions.The Orb uses multi-spectral imaging to scan facial geometry, confirming both humanity and uniqueness.
- Receive World ID
Once verified, users receive a cryptographic proof—a World ID—that can be used across apps and services to prove they are real people. - Access Financial Tools & Services
The World App also functions as a wallet, allowing users to store WLD tokens, send money via World Pay, and interact with dApps on World Chain.
Eventually, multiple wallets and platforms will support World ID integration—just as many services now accept Ethereum-based logins.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What happened to the name "Worldcoin"?
A: “Worldcoin” now refers specifically to the WLD token. The broader ecosystem has been rebranded as World Network to reflect its expanded mission beyond cryptocurrency.
Q: Can I get WLD tokens without using an Orb?
A: Yes. The World Foundation allows eligible users who verify their identity via supported documents (e.g., NFC passports) to claim WLD tokens through the World App—even before Orb verification.
Q: Is my biometric data stored?
A: No. The Orb does not store or transmit raw biometric data. Instead, it generates a unique iris code (hash), which is immediately deleted after verification unless needed for fraud detection.
Q: How does World ID protect privacy?
A: Using zero-knowledge proofs, users can prove they are verified humans without revealing any personal details. Third parties only receive confirmation—not identity data.
Q: Who runs the Orbs?
A: A decentralized network of independent operators—local businesses trained and certified by Tools for Humanity (TFH)—manage Orb deployments worldwide.
Q: What is the role of WLD tokens?
A: WLD tokens incentivize early participation, align user interests with network growth, and help bootstrap adoption—similar to how Bitcoin rewards miners for securing the network.
Final Thoughts: Building a Human-Centric Internet
World Network’s latest launch isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a vision for a more equitable digital future. By combining cutting-edge hardware, cryptographic privacy, and blockchain innovation, it addresses one of the most pressing challenges of our time: preserving human agency in an AI-dominated world.
Whether it's preventing bot takeovers on social media, enabling fair distribution of resources, or laying the groundwork for AI-funded UBI, the infrastructure being built today could shape how humanity interacts online for decades to come.
👉 Join the movement toward human-first digital ecosystems now.