Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency project known for its distinctive Orb device, is gearing up for a significant upgrade, as announced by Alex Blania, the CEO and co-founder of Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin. The Orb, which has been in the public domain for a little over 180 days, is set to receive a makeover, with the new iteration expected to be unveiled in the first half of this year.
Worldcoin teases new and improved Orb device
Blania shared insights into the upcoming changes during a fireside chat at a StrictlyVC event. The next Orb will feature alternative colors and diverse form factors, with a deliberate effort to present a more approachable and friendly appearance. He likened the new design to that of an Apple product, signaling a departure from the Orb’s current futuristic and somewhat polarizing aesthetic. Tools for Humanity, the entity responsible for creating Worldcoin, has successfully raised around $250 million in funding from prominent investors, including a16z and Bain Capital Crypto.
The startup gained notoriety for its Orb device, a five-pound chromatic bowling ball-sized apparatus that utilizes iris scanning to assign users a unique “World ID.” This identification serves as access to Worldcoin’s application and acts as a digital passport, aiming to enhance identity verification and prevent the creation of multiple accounts. Blania acknowledged the diverse reactions to the Orb’s design, emphasizing that people either love or hate its sci-fi movie-inspired appearance. Despite the skepticism, during the StrictlyVC event, a notable number of attendees reportedly participated in iris scanning to obtain their World ID, showcasing a certain level of intrigue and acceptance of the technology.
Global expansion and growing adoption
The company has also conducted field testing for the new Orb, further refining its features and capabilities. During the beta testing phase, Worldcoin focused on adoption in various global cities, including Buenos Aires, Nairobi, Lisbon, and Bangalore. However, this strategy faced criticism for seemingly targeting developing economies. In an effort to expand its global presence, Worldcoin embarked on a world tour, visiting major cities such as Tokyo, Miami, New York City, and San Francisco. Recent statistics indicate a growing user base for Worldcoin, with over 190,000 new accounts created in the past seven days, bringing the total user count to approximately 3.13 million.
Blania highlighted the project’s straightforward objective, stating, “The thesis is very simple. We race toward billions of users as fast as we possibly can,” emphasizing the ambitious goal of achieving widespread adoption. Worldcoin is set to unveil a revamped Orb device with alternative colors and a friendlier design in the coming months. Despite initial skepticism and controversy surrounding its unique technology, the project continues to attract a global user base, aligning with its overarching goal of reaching billions of users shortly.
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