Key Points:
- Worldcoin token jumps 27% on biometric report.
- No confirmed OpenAI deal, but optimism rises.
- Biometric ID faces global regulatory scrutiny.
World Network’s WLD token jumped more than 27% Wednesday after a report said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is exploring a biometric social network to verify humans and curb bots online.
Report Fuels Rally in World Token
World Network’s WLD cryptocurrency surged sharply after it reported that OpenAI is considering biometric tools to address the growing problem of automated and AI-generated online accounts. The token briefly outperformed most major cryptocurrencies following the report, according to market data.
The price move came despite the absence of any confirmed partnership between OpenAI and World Network, formerly known as Worldcoin. The report linked the rally to investor optimism that World’s identity technology could play a role in OpenAI’s broader strategy to fight bots.
Sam Altman’s Worldcoin wants to develop a “biometric social network” that would help platforms verify real people online. The effort is aimed at restoring trust in social media and other digital services increasingly flooded with spam and synthetic users.
Biometric Verification Explored, No Deal Confirmed
People familiar with the discussions said OpenAI has considered using Apple’s Face ID or World Network’s Orb, a device that scans a person’s iris to create a unique digital identity. The report emphasized that talks are exploratory and no formal agreement has been announced.
A person familiar with the project said the goal is to “prove personhood” online without relying on traditional usernames or passwords. OpenAI has not publicly commented on the report, and World Network has not confirmed any collaboration.
World Network pitches its World ID system as a privacy-focused way to verify that a user is human. The company says biometric data is converted into cryptographic identifiers and not stored as raw images, a point it highlights amid rising concerns over data misuse.
The project was co-founded by Sam Altman’s Worldcoin, which raised $135 million in a token sale backed by venture firms including Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto. Its supporters argue that biometric verification could become essential as generative AI tools accelerate the creation of fake accounts.
Scrutiny Grows as Demand for Proof of Personhood Rises
World Network says it has verified millions of users globally, but the project has faced regulatory scrutiny in several countries. Kenya temporarily suspended its operations, and regulators in the United Kingdom have examined how the company handles personal data.
Despite the pushback, interest in biometric identity systems is growing. Social media platforms, gaming services, and financial apps are under pressure to distinguish humans from bots as misinformation and automated fraud spread.
“AI-generated accounts are overwhelming online platforms,” one source familiar with the discussions said, adding that biometric checks are increasingly viewed as a potential solution.
Still, privacy advocates warn that tying online identity to biometric data carries long-term risks if safeguards fail or data is repurposed. Sam Altman’s Worldcoin says its system is designed to minimize those risks, though regulators continue to assess its claims.
The WLD rally underscores how closely crypto markets track developments around artificial intelligence and digital identity. For now, the surge reflects expectations rather than confirmed business ties, leaving investors watching closely for official announcements.
