In the Midst of OpenAI Turmoil, Sam Altman’s Role in Worldcoin Remains ‘Unchanged’

Sam Altman may have stepped down from OpenAI, but his role with the crypto initiative Tools for Humanity, which is developing Worldcoin, remains strong, according to a source close to the project. This source emphasized that Altman has a "consistent and valuable" involvement with Tools for Humanity, and this is expected to continue. He remains the chairman and co-founder, confirming that the project's website information is current.

Following the news of Altman's departure, the Worldcoin token (WLD) dropped to $1.84 on Saturday but rebounded over the weekend, currently trading at about $2.40, according to CoinMarketCap data.

Worldcoin successfully raised $115 million in May during a Series C funding round led by Blockchain Capital. As of March, Altman was part of the project’s board but was not engaged in daily operations.

"Proof of personhood is increasingly vital in this advancing AI landscape," a representative from the Worldcoin Foundation shared. The team remains dedicated to its mission of creating a more human-centric internet and an accessible global economy through World ID—a privacy-focused solution to verify individual identity and uniqueness online.

Worldcoin is recognized for its controversial Orb hardware, which scans users' irises to assign unique IDs that grant access to the Worldcoin app and a digital passport. This verification process is designed to confirm identities and prevent the creation of multiple accounts.

Despite the challenges, Worldcoin is focusing on emerging markets, despite facing criticism. In particular, countries like Kenya have banned Worldcoin from scanning citizens' irises due to concerns over data security and user awareness regarding how their information would be used.

Critics also accuse Worldcoin of targeting developing nations with weaker privacy regulations. The project incentivizes most participants (those outside the U.S. and a few other nations) with 25 WLD tokens, valued at approximately $58.5, prompting claims of exploitation. However, interest remains high; over 2.46 million individuals have registered for Worldcoin since its public launch 120 days ago. In the last week alone, more than 65,200 new accounts have been created, averaging 137,000 wallet transactions per day.

Tiago Sada, head of product for Tools for Humanity and key contributor to Worldcoin, previously noted that engaging with developing countries and offering free tokens is "fair," as many tech projects tend to prioritize these markets due to their operational advantages. Altman is expected to continue supporting the project in the foreseeable future.