Sam Altman’s eye-scanning project launches cryptocurrency in the US

is a deputy editor and author of thenewsletter. He has been reporting on the tech industry for more than a decade. Over the past few years, what sounds like an episode of Black Mirror has been unfolding in real life: millions of people around the world have agreed to let metallic orbs scan their eyes in exchange for receiving a blockchain-based ID and a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin. Beginning this week, Worldcoin (WLD) will be available in most of the US for the first time, including via exchanges like Coinbase. Those who scan their eyes at a World orb will receive 16 WLD. Meanwhile, people who have downloaded and already registered with the World app in the US will receive a “pioneer grant” of 150 WLD dropped into their wallet. The Sam Altman co-founded startup behind the project, Tools for Humanity, is also working with Visa to release a debit card later this year that converts WLD to fiat currency at checkout. Altman, who is currently the chairman of Tools for Humanity, announ ... Read full article.