Factbox-Scrutiny of iris-scanning crypto project Worldcoin grows

FILE PHOTO: A general view of the biometric imaging device, the Orb of the identity and financial public utility Worldcoin, to create a World ID digital passport, being able to trade in cryptocurrency issued, in Berlin, Germany August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

LONDON (Reuters) - Increasing numbers of governments around the world are scrutinising Worldcoin, a crypto project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman that was launched in July.

Almost 2.3 million people globally have signed up to have their irises scanned by Worldcoin's "orb" devices in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency.