Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Project Faces Orb Shortage
It seems that Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project is encountering a scarcity of orbs, the devices used for iris scans in exchange for tokens. These orbs are essential biometric imaging devices that validate a person’s identity using iris scans to prevent multiple accounts or identities within the Worldcoin system. Alex Blania, the CEO of Tools for Humanity, the developer behind Worldcoin, has revealed that the startup is ramping up silver orb production to meet the surging demand. Currently, there are only 300 to 500 orbs available, as reported on Wednesday.
Expanding Demand for Worldcoin Orbs
- Worldcoin is expanding silver orb production to meet demand
- Only 300-500 orbs currently available
- Designed to prevent multiple accounts within the system
The remarkable growth of Worldcoin is gaining attention, as it was launched less than a year ago in July with the goal of enrolling every individual worldwide into its financial ecosystem. The World App, which grants access to Worldcoins, boasts 10 million users across 160 countries. Moreover, Worldcoin processes over seven transactions per second, positioning it among the leading crypto wallets globally.
Surprising Queues for Eye Scans
- Large crowds gather for iris scans using the orbs
- Individuals queue up to exchange scans for Worldcoins
- Logistical challenges due to overwhelming demand
Initially, Blania anticipated the orbs to travel worldwide for iris scans, but instead, people are flocking to them, forming long queues. Each person must undergo an eye scan in exchange for an initial payment of 10 Worldcoins, followed by three more every two weeks. The substantial crowds around each orb present logistical hurdles, necessitating increased security measures and experienced crowd control managers. Blania did not foresee the immediate need to establish robust teams in various markets, mistakenly assuming more time would be available.
Worldcoin’s Sign-Up Restrictions
- Sign-ups restricted in certain countries due to regulations
- US individuals unable to use, purchase, or access Worldcoins
- Orb-verification services available in India, Brazil, and France
In some countries, Worldcoin sign-ups are restricted due to regulatory and privacy concerns. Individuals in the US are prohibited from using, purchasing, or accessing the coins, while orb-verification services are available in India, Brazil, and France. Worldcoin recently launched on the Ethereum protocol with the aim of liberating all humans. The developer preview of World Chain is set to be released soon, followed by the full launch later this year. The project’s user transactions contribute to approximately 44% of the activity on Optimism, an Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution, making it the largest application on the network.
Hot Take: Worldcoin’s Orb Shortage and Growing Demand
In light of the expanding demand for Worldcoin orbs and the unexpected queues for eye scans, the project faces various challenges in managing the surging interest in its biometric identity verification system. Despite the sign-up restrictions in certain countries, Worldcoin continues to grow its user base and transaction volume, positioning itself as a significant player in the crypto space. The scarcity of orbs underscores the rapid adoption of Worldcoin and the need for scale to meet the increasing demand for its services.
Sources:
– Semafor Report on Worldcoin Orb Shortage
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