World (Worldcoin): why you probably cannot use it
Written by the Crypto Gratis editorial team · Last reviewed
World — formerly Worldcoin — offers tokens in exchange for an iris scan. It is the most heavily funded project in this category and, for most people reading this page, the least available: it has been banned, suspended or placed under investigation across much of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
Before you look for an Orb. Kenya's High Court ordered the deletion of biometric data collected in the country. Indonesia withdrew its permits in May 2025. India, Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong and several EU jurisdictions have banned, suspended or investigated the iris-scanning model. If you are in one of those places, the practical answer is that this is not available to you — and the reason it is not available is worth understanding before you go looking for a workaround.
What it is
World issues a "World ID" — a proof that you are a unique human — after an in-person iris scan by a device called an Orb. Verified users have historically received a grant of the project's WLD token. The stated purpose is proof of personhood in a world of capable AI: a way to show that an account belongs to a person rather than a program.
The problem it is trying to solve is real, and it is the same problem every project on this site runs into. The objection is to the chosen solution.
Why regulators keep blocking it
An iris template is about as sensitive as personal data gets, and unlike a password it cannot be changed after a breach. Data protection regulators have raised consistent objections about the quality of consent — particularly where sign-ups were concentrated in lower-income areas and the incentive was a payment — and about how long the data is retained and where it is processed.
These are not procedural complaints that a form redesign fixes. They go to the core of the product, which is why the actions have been suspensions and deletion orders rather than fines.
The project has continued to expand where it can, launching in the United States and reporting over 18 million verified users.
What we would actually advise
If you are in a country where World does not operate, do not treat that as an obstacle to route around. Do not travel to be scanned, and do not use an agent offering to verify on your behalf — that is both a fraud vector and a permanent disclosure of your biometrics to a stranger.
If you are somewhere it does operate, the decision is yours, and it is a real one rather than a formality. You are exchanging an irreversible biometric disclosure for a token grant. Read the retention policy, decide what a permanent iris template is worth to you, and note that you cannot change your mind later.
Meanwhile GoodDollar is available in 181 countries and asks for a face liveness check rather than an iris template, and Circles asks for no biometrics at all.
Common questions
Can I get World tokens in my country?
In many of the countries where people read this page, no. Kenya ordered the deletion of biometric data collected there, Indonesia pulled its permits, and India, Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong and several EU jurisdictions have banned, suspended or opened investigations into the iris-scanning model.
Why do regulators keep blocking it?
Because the product depends on collecting iris biometrics, which is among the most sensitive categories of personal data and cannot be reissued after a breach. The objection is to the mechanism itself, not to a fixable detail.
Is it worth travelling to a country where it works?
No. Weigh a one-off token grant against permanently surrendering your iris template plus the cost of the trip. People have done it; we would not.
Sources
Everything above is based on the following. Where they and we disagree, they are right — check them before you act on anything here.