WorldChain

WorldChain is a Layer-2 blockchain built on Ethereum, developed by the Worldcoin Foundation, which was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Alex Blania, and Max Novendstern. The project launched in July 2023 after three years of development and significant venture capital funding from firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Khosla Ventures. Initially known as Worldcoin, the project rebranded to "World" in October 2024 to better encapsulate its mission, which revolves around three pillars: World Chain, World ID, and the Worldcoin (WLD) token.

The core of WorldChain's business is to provide a blockchain infrastructure that prioritizes transactions by verified human users over automated bots. It operates as an open-source, permissionless network within the Optimism Superchain ecosystem, leveraging its scalability and security. The business model aims to create a self-sustaining network where fees from bots and power users eventually cover the transaction costs for casual, verified human users. Revenue for the ecosystem is also generated from a share of transaction fees on the chain, which is reinvested into open-source development.

The platform's key service is its integration with World ID, a digital identity protocol that uses iris-scanning biometric devices called Orbs to provide a "Proof of Personhood." This verification allows WorldChain to offer unique benefits, such as prioritized blockspace and a gas allowance for verified users, effectively reducing transaction costs and network congestion. For developers, WorldChain offers a platform to build decentralized applications (dApps) with access to a large, verified human user base, focusing on areas like decentralized finance (DeFi) and identity verification. The network supports the creation of mini-apps within the World App, enabling developers to generate revenue using WLD and USDC tokens. Since its mainnet launch in October 2024, the platform has been migrating its millions of users and is supported by key blockchain service providers like Alchemy, Uniswap, and Etherscan.

Keywords: WorldChain, Worldcoin, Layer-2 blockchain, Ethereum, Sam Altman, Alex Blania, World ID, Proof of Personhood, biometric verification, OP Stack, Superchain, decentralized applications, DeFi, gas allowance, priority blockspace, WLD token, digital identity, crypto, blockchain for humans, Sybil resistance, open source blockchain