World, the biometric identity startup behind the futuristic eyeball-scanning Orb, is expanding its presence through high-profile partnerships with Tinder, Visa, Stripe, and decentralized finance platforms, the company announced Wednesday.
The moves signal an aggressive push to mainstream the company’s controversial identity verification technology, which to date has attracted millions of sign-ups globally but struggled with widespread adoption due to privacy concerns and the logistical challenge of collecting biometric data.
Tinder Verification Pilot in Japan
In a notable real-world deployment, World is partnering with Match Group’s Tinder to verify user identities in Japan, aiming to combat fake profiles and improve trust on the dating platform. Users will be able to link their World-issued digital IDs to Tinder accounts, enhancing user credibility and security in one of the app’s fastest-growing markets.
While limited to Japan for now, Match Group is expected to assess potential rollout to other markets depending on user adoption and regulatory reception.
Visa-Powered ‘World Card’ to Bridge Crypto and Fiat
Perhaps the most ambitious of World’s announcements is its partnership with Visa to launch The World Card, a payment solution that connects to the World App and allows users to spend cryptocurrencies anywhere Visa is accepted. The card will automatically convert crypto to fiat at the point of sale, offering seamless real-world utility for digital assets.
The company says it may also offer rewards linked to AI services or subscriptions, indicating potential integrations with other emerging tech ecosystems. The World Card is slated for a U.S. launch later in 2025.
Partnerships With Kalshi and Morpho Expand Web3 Integration
In the decentralized space, World also revealed integrations with prediction market startup Kalshi and DeFi lending platform Morpho. Users can now sign in using their World ID credentials, providing a form of decentralized, biometric-based identity verification that could replace traditional KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements.
These integrations reflect World’s aim to become a standard identity layer for both Web2 and Web3 platforms.
Stripe Integration for Biometric Payments
A final surprise came with the announcement of a Stripe partnership, enabling users to make payments using World IDs across Stripe-enabled websites and applications. Though no specific launch timeline was given, the collaboration could allow biometric-based sign-ins and payment authorization for e-commerce and subscription platforms.
A Bold Attempt to Normalize Biometric Identity
Founded in 2019 by the San Francisco- and Berlin-based Tools for Humanity, World has raised hundreds of millions in venture capital and garnered attention for its unorthodox, privacy-challenging approach to verifying humanity through retina scans. The technology has fueled both interest and criticism, particularly over data sovereignty and long-term use cases.
The company’s recent event marked a strategic pivot toward broader consumer-facing applications, moving away from niche crypto circles and into sectors like dating, retail, and financial services.
Looking Ahead
While critics remain skeptical of biometric systems at scale, especially those involving facial or ocular scans, World is betting that tangible consumer benefits — from crypto payments to enhanced profile security — can overcome user hesitation. With backing from major brands like Visa, Tinder, and Stripe, the company may now be better positioned to test that hypothesis in everyday scenarios.
