What happened

Recently, Worldcoin (WLD), the cryptocurrency associated with Sam Altman's digital identification venture, has experienced a remarkable surge of over 42% in 24 hours, reaching $7.46. This surge is part of a broader upward trend, with the token's value nearly tripling within a week. 

Source: CounMarketCap

This surge coincides with OpenAI's announcement of the text-to-video AI model Sora, known as the "Hollywood Killer" for its lifelike 60-second videos. Additionally, Worldcoin's announcement of its World App crypto wallet passing 1 million daily users contributed to the surge.

The Sora effect was also seen in a broader segment of AI crypto. The total market capitalization of AI cryptocurrencies surged by 8% within 24 hours, reaching $15.8 billion. 

The token's market capitalization is now approaching $1 billion, marking a 41% increase. Analyst Ali Martinez predicts a rise to $15 or even $26, representing a gain of up to 250%.

#Worldcoin appears to have broken out of an ascending parallel channel on its daily chart, setting the stage for potential upward movement. If this breakout holds, $WLD could rise to $15 and possibly even extend to $26.

If youre planning to join me in this trade, go to pic.twitter.com/laKqk4ig5Z Ali (@ali_charts) February 19, 2024

What is Worldcoin

Co-founded by the CEO of OpenAI via Tools for Humanity Worldcoin, an open-source protocol, aims to democratize global economic access by decentralizing decision-making to its user community. It offers digital identity verification through iris scanning, rewarding users with WLD tokens and aspiring to establish a global Universal Basic Income (UBI) system.

One of the venture's most ambitious applications is in creating systems for fair distribution of limited resources. With World ID, double claiming of resources like bonuses or rewards is prevented, laying the groundwork for universal basic income (UBI) proposals.

Worldcoin launched its token in July 2023, witnessing a 40% surge in 24. With over 2 million users signing up for a World ID, Worldcoin incentivizes users to create digital credentials through iris scanning.

more than 2 million people signed up during the beta. hopeful for that number to get to 2 billion now! Sam Altman (@sama) July 24, 2023

How it works

Worldcoin uses iris scans for identity verification, similar to CLEAR or Apple's Face ID, and also operates as a cryptocurrency. Iris scans generate digital World IDs using zero-knowledge proofs cryptography. An orb device scans irises to create World IDs, offering secure identity verification online without revealing personal data.

Source: Worldcoin

These IDs could serve as logins for websites, enhancing privacy by unlinking from personal information. The decentralized protocol will utilize zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to allow users to prove their humanity without revealing sensitive details about their true identity.

Key Components:

• World ID: A digital passport for proving uniqueness and humanity online while maintaining privacy.
• Orb: A secure device that verifies uniqueness and humanity through iris scanning.
• WLD Token: Globally distributed to individuals, serving both utility and governance purposes.
• World App: A self-custodial app enabling global payments and transfers using digital assets and traditional currencies.

Regulatory issues

In January 2024, The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong launched an investigation into Worldcoin's operations due to concerns over personal data privacy. Executing warrants, the PCPD entered six premises linked to Worldcoin across Hong Kong, citing serious risks to personal data privacy. 

The project has faced regulatory scrutiny in various jurisdictions, leading to the suspension of its services in Kenya and a pause in iris scans in India. French, UK and German data protection authorities have also initiated investigations into its data practices.

According to Altman, Worldcoin won't offer tokens in the US and other countries with unclear crypto regulations. This reflects a trend of crypto projects avoiding the US amid regulatory ambiguity. 

Future prospects

There's growing demand for World ID, which helps differentiate between humans and AI-driven software. Worldcoin aims to bridge the gap between AI and crypto, promising a truly massive use case for crypto in the global economy. 

In an interview to Financial Times, Altman acknowledged the skepticism surrounding eye-scanning technology, admitting its "clear ick factor."However, he challenges critics by questioning why governments haven't taken the initiative in such endeavors.

Worldcoin recently secured $115 million in funding, with a valuation reaching $3 billion in the previous year. Itoriginally intended to issue a total of 10 billion tokens, allocating 80% to users, 10% to the company's investors, and the remaining 10% to a foundation. The token has a total supply of 143 million, with 43 million distributed to Worldcoin app users through an airdrop.

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