Worldcoin, now known as World, rolled out its World Card in the U.S. on May 1, 2025, teaming up with Visa to let verified users spend digital assets at millions of stores worldwide. The launch, shared through an X post by Worldcoin, marks the company’s expansion into six major U.S. cities, sparking both enthusiasm and worries about privacy.
The World Card lets users who’ve confirmed their identity with iris-scanning Orbs spend money directly from the World App, earning rewards both online and in person wherever Visa is accepted.
Personal finance 🤝 Rewards for verified humans.
The World Card will let verified humans spend straight from World App and access rewards. Online, IRL, anywhere @Visa is accepted. pic.twitter.com/hSrzGcxHy2
— World (@worldcoin) May 1, 2025Worldcoin shared its vision in an X post: “Personal finance Rewards for verified humans.” Co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the company is working to create a global network for identity and finance using biometric technology. Alongside the card, Worldcoin partnered with Circle to add native USDC to its World Chain blockchain, making cross-chain transfers quicker and cheaper.
As part of its U.S. push, Worldcoin plans to set up 7,500 Orbs by the end of 2025, supported by a new manufacturing hub in Richardson, Texas, according to Blockonomi. These Orbs scan users’ irises to generate a World ID, proving they’re human to fight AI bots and fraud. People in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta can now get their World ID, earning 16 WLD tokens as a signup bonus, while early users receive 150 WLD tokens.
But the launch has brought privacy issues back into the spotlight. The Electronic Privacy Information Center labeled Worldcoin’s data practices a “potential privacy nightmare,” pointing to risks of misuse even though the company insists personal data stays on users’ devices. Countries like Spain and Portugal have paused Worldcoin’s operations, and the Philippines’ SEC flagged the company for not being registered, though Worldcoin claims it’s a tech provider, not a financial one, per Altcoin Buzz.
“This tech connects traditional finance with crypto, but we can’t ignore the privacy challenges,” said Adrian Ludwig, chief architect at Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, during the “World At Last” event in San Francisco on April 30, 2025. The event, which included a performance by Anderson .Paak, highlighted the Orb’s features and revealed new partnerships, like a pilot with Match Group to verify Tinder users in Japan.
Reactions on X have been a mixed bag. One user celebrated the card’s possibilities, writing, “IRL spending meets proof-of-human. This is how you turn World App into your wallet,” alongside a drawing of someone using the card to pay. On the other hand, another user wasn’t impressed, saying, “This is not innovation,” and linking to a critical piece.
Worldcoin’s U.S. expansion is a big step toward its dream of verifying one billion people, though it’s currently at 12 million users worldwide, according to CNBC. Its partnerships with Visa, Circle, and Match Group show its goal to blend into everyday finance and tech. Still, with growing regulatory pressure, Worldcoin has to find a way to balance innovation with privacy.
Looking forward, Worldcoin aims to roll out the World Card across the U.S. later this year, possibly integrating with more platforms like Tinder. Its success in the U.S. will likely hinge on how well it tackles privacy concerns.
Join our Telegram Channel