SKN | World Token Jumps 27% as Sam Altman Eyes Biometric Social Network to Fight Bots

Key Points:

•  World’s WLD token surged more than 27% after a report linked the project to OpenAI’s efforts to combat online bots.
•  Sam Altman is reportedly exploring a biometric-based social network using tools such as Face ID or World’s iris-scanning Orb to verify       humans.
•  While no formal partnership has been confirmed, the report reignited interest in World ID as a solution for proving personhood online.

WLD Rallies on Report Linking World to OpenAI Plans

World Network’s WLD token surged more than 27% on Wednesday after a report suggested the project could play a role in OpenAI’s broader push to address bots and AI-generated accounts online.

The move followed a Forbes report stating that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is considering the creation of a biometric social network designed to verify real humans and limit the spread of automated or synthetic users. According to people familiar with the matter, OpenAI has explored options including Apple’s Face ID and World’s proprietary iris-scanning Orb device, though no formal partnership has been announced.

The report was enough to spark renewed speculation around World’s role in online identity infrastructure, sending the token sharply higher and briefly outperforming most major cryptocurrencies.

What World Network Is Building

World Network, formerly known as Worldcoin, is a crypto and identity project co-founded by Altman. It raised $135 million in a token sale backed by venture firms including a16z and Bain Capital Crypto.

At the center of the project is World ID, a decentralized digital identity system designed to prove that a user is a real person without revealing personal information. The system relies on the Orb, a custom-built biometric device that scans a user’s iris to generate a unique identifier. World says the process is privacy-focused, with biometric data transformed into cryptographic proofs rather than stored as raw images.

The project claims to have verified millions of users globally and positions World ID as a foundation for applications that require human verification, such as payments, governance, and social platforms.

Biometric Identity Gains Attention as Bots Proliferate

The renewed interest comes as online platforms grapple with an explosion of AI-generated content, spam, and bot-driven manipulation. As generative AI tools become more powerful and accessible, distinguishing humans from automated agents has become increasingly difficult.

Altman’s reported interest in biometric verification reflects a broader industry conversation about “proof of personhood” as a potential solution. By tying online accounts to verified human identities, platforms could limit bot activity without relying solely on moderation or behavioral analysis.

World’s approach, which blends biometric verification with blockchain-based credentials, has long been pitched as one possible answer to that problem.

Regulatory Scrutiny Still Looms

Despite the market’s enthusiasm, World Network remains controversial. The project has faced regulatory scrutiny in several jurisdictions over how biometric data is collected and processed. Kenya temporarily suspended operations, while regulators in the United Kingdom have raised questions about data protection and consent.

World has said it is working closely with regulators and privacy experts to address concerns, arguing that its system is more privacy-preserving than traditional identity verification methods.

Looking Ahead

The sharp rally in WLD highlights how sensitive crypto markets remain to narratives around artificial intelligence, identity, and large technology platforms. While there is no confirmation that OpenAI will adopt World’s technology, the report has refocused attention on World Network’s core thesis at a moment when demand for human verification tools is growing rapidly.