Worldcoin expands to Miami, Austin, and four other U.S. cities with Visa-powered payment card and upgraded Orb hardware, navigating regulatory changes and privacy debates.
World deployed its iris-scanning Orb v2 devices in Miami and Austin on 15 July 2024, capitalizing on Donald Trump’s renewed crypto policy agenda announced at the Republican National Convention.
Strategic U.S. Expansion Timing
Worldcoin’s launch in six major U.S. cities followed former President Trump’s 14 July speech pledging to ‘end the war on crypto.’ The timing aligns with growing political support for digital assets, particularly in tech hubs like Miami where Mayor Francis Suarez has actively courted blockchain projects.
Visa Partnership Details
The 11 July-announced World Card partnership enables direct USD conversions through Visa’s network, circumventing traditional crypto exchanges. Visa’s Head of Crypto, Cuy Sheffield, stated: ‘This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to bridging digital and traditional finance ecosystems.’ The card launch coincides with Mastercard’s withdrawal from crypto card programs in June 2024.
Biometric Authentication Advances
Worldcoin’s upgraded Orb v2 hardware reduces iris scan time to 1.8 seconds, addressing previous usability concerns. Technical documentation released 12 July reveals improved anti-spoofing algorithms designed to detect AI-generated deepfakes. Over 5.7 million users have enrolled globally since 2023’s controversial Kenya launch.
Dating App Integration
Match Group’s 16 July pilot integrates World ID verification into Tinder profiles, responding to growing catfishing complaints. This follows Bumble’s May 2024 implementation of AI-powered authenticity checks. Worldcoin CEO Alex Blania noted: ‘Verified human identity becomes crucial as AI-generated profiles proliferate across social platforms.’
Privacy Challenges Intensify
Argentina’s Agency for Access to Public Information initiated a 10 July probe into Worldcoin’s data practices, echoing earlier EU investigations. Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Daly Barnett warned: ‘Centralized biometric databases create irreversible privacy risks – once iris data leaks, there’s no reset button.’
Historical Context: Digital Identity Evolution
Worldcoin’s U.S. debut follows two decades of failed digital identity initiatives, including Microsoft’s abandoned Passport Network (2002) and Google’s discontinued Nexus API (2015). The current push mirrors China’s 2017-2025 social credit system rollout, though Worldcoin claims decentralized governance through zero-knowledge proofs.
Financial Precedents
The Visa partnership revives concepts from Wavecrest’s 2017 crypto debit card program, terminated due to compliance issues. Unlike failed ventures like BitPay’s 2022 card, Worldcoin leverages direct banking integrations through Silvergate Bank’s successor, Novus Financial.
