Worldcoin has officially rebranded as “World,” debuting its Ethereum layer-2 network, World Chain, along with several significant updates.
During a keynote address on October 17, Worldcoin founder Sam Altman announced the rebranding and enhancements to its iris-scanning Orb devices. The new branding is now reflected across all social media platforms and the company’s website.
The upgraded Orb devices will feature Nvidia hardware, making them up to five times more powerful while reducing their carbon footprint and requiring fewer components. Initially, these new Orbs will be deployed in self-service kiosks in select markets, aiming to accelerate proof of human verifications globally.
World is expanding its identity verification options beyond the Orbs. Users will soon be able to verify their identity through various methods, including a program called World ID Credentials, which allows verification using NFC-enabled government-issued passports, adding flexibility to the process.
New Features and Integrations
The company also introduced World App 3.0, featuring new capabilities such as the World ID Deep Face tool, designed to detect and block deepfakes. This feature aims to enhance video content authenticity and provide users with greater security amid rising AI-generated media.
Additionally, World has announced integrations with popular apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom, making it easier for users to verify their identities and access World’s services on platforms they already use.
World Chain Mainnet Launch
The much-anticipated Ethereum layer-2 network, World Chain, went live following the keynote. This new network is expected to improve efficiency and functionality by integrating World ID, World App, and the Worldcoin cryptocurrency.
World Chain will focus on onboarding verified human users rather than bots, offering them access to block space and providing a free gas allowance to incentivize participation. The blockchain is already hosting notable projects like Uniswap, Optimism, Alchemy, and Dune.
Market Reaction
Despite recent positive performance, the price of WLD did not react strongly to the announcements, slipping 1.4% to $2.20 at the time of writing. However, the token remains up 28.4% over the past week and has gained over 47% in the past month.