Sam Altman’s innovative blockchain project, World, is set to launch in the United States, with plans to deploy 7,500 eye-scanning “orbs” in cities across the nation by the end of the year.

World’s orbs, which are chrome, bowling ball-shaped devices designed to scan a person’s eyeballs for identity verification, will first be introduced to Americans in six key innovation hubs: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. Individuals who choose to use the orbs will gain access to the World app and receive a distribution of World’s WLD token. The project aims to have enough orbs spread throughout the U.S. by the end of the year to provide 180 million Americans, more than half the population, access to World’s network.

During a press conference in San Francisco, Sam Altman and other executives at Tools for Humanity, World’s parent company, revealed the U.S. expansion plans along with various new features and partnerships for the project.

The World app will now include access to crypto-backed loans through non-custodial lending protocol Morpho and prediction markets through Kalshi. Later this year, WLD token holders will be able to use their tokens like cash with a new World-linked Visa debit card. The project is also integrating its identity verification technology into certain online dating apps, starting with Tinder users in Japan, for Match Group to pilot using World ID to verify user ages.

Altman mentioned that the concept for World existed prior to OpenAI, his generative artificial intelligence (AI) company.

World is joining the ranks of other crypto projects expanding in the U.S. following a more favorable regulatory environment for crypto projects under the current administration.

As part of its U.S. expansion, the company plans to build a factory in Richardson, Texas, to produce the orbs required for the rollout. Following the initial deployment, other major cities such as Seattle, Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas will receive the next wave of orbs.

Alex Blania, co-founder of Tools for Humanity, expressed that the orbs will be widely accessible, with plans to have them available in gas stations, convenience stores, and other locations, allowing verification within 10 minutes wherever individuals are located.