Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency project co-founded by Sam Altman, is reportedly in discussion with Visa about integrating card features into its World wallet. CoinDesk claims to have seen the request for product form sent to card issuers by Tools for Humanity, the company behind World Network, formerly – but still casually called – Worldcoin.
The alleged partnership is driven by the idea to enhance the functionality of the World wallet, aka World App, by incorporating Visa card features. This integration would allow users to make real-world payments at millions of merchants worldwide that accept Visa, effectively turning the wallet into a “mini bank account.” Users could deposit and withdraw fiat and stablecoins seamlessly, as well as engage in foreign exchange (FX) transactions.
Worldcoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, and launched out of beta in July 2023, stirred controversy with its invasive approach to privacy. The project’s ambition has been to create a global identity and financial network. For this purpose, it uses a unique approach to verify a “proof of personhood” by scanning individuals’ irises with a device called the Orb. In return, users receive a World ID and, in some regions, a small amount of the cryptocurrency (WLD)
The biometric data collection methods sparked a backlash from privacy advocates and had legal consequences. Worldcoin has been under investigation by several European countries, including Germany, Spain, and Portugal, for alleged GDPR violations. In December 2024, a German regulator ordered Worldcoin to delete improperly collected biometric data and implement GDPR-compliant procedures.
These challenges could impact the partnership’s success and public perception but if the collaboration goes through, it could result in a strong alliance between two fintech heavyweights, potentially threatening other crypto wallets. Worldcoin has been actively expanding its ecosystem to offer more than just identity verification and cryptocurrency.
Recent additions include World Chat, a secure messaging platform integrated with the World App, which allows users to send and receive cryptocurrency easily. The partnership with Visa would enable Worldcoin to evolve into a versatile tool, providing advanced fintech services, such as crypto-based payments and cross-asset functionality, including fiat on- and off-ramping.
“The plan is to build up a whole connected wallet strategy so that you can trade in all kinds of things, from FX to crypto, load to wallet, send to wallet, spend from card. Basically to turn World Wallet into a mini bank account for anyone who wants it,” a source “familiar with the plans” said in a commentary for CoinDesk.
