Worldcoin’s native token, WLD, experienced a surge in value following its listing on major crypto exchanges, soaring to $3.58 before retracing to $2.28 at the time of writing, according to CoinMarketCap data. The project, co-founded by Sam Altman, seeks to revolutionize identity verification using a hardware unit known as the Orb, which scans individuals’ irises. Despite the initial excitement, concerns have been raised within the crypto community, casting shadows on the project’s future.
The ability to verify human identity through iris scanning is viewed as pivotal in the integration of artificial intelligence into society, but prominent figures like Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin have expressed worries about potential abuses of the system. Issues regarding privacy, centralization, and security have fueled skepticism. Furthermore, Worldcoin has been criticized for its aggressive promotion in developing regions, with approximately 30% of its Orb-verified users located in Asia and Africa, raising concerns about exploitation.
One critical issue revolves around the firm’s data collection practices. The U.K. data watchdog has initiated an inquiry into the project, questioning the handling of personal data. However, the company maintains that it adheres to the strictest privacy guidelines in the markets it operates.
Tokenomics and listings fuel mixed sentiments
Worldcoin’s tokenomics have also come under scrutiny. The project allocated 100 million WLD to market makers out of the 143 million tokens issued during the launch. The current circulating supply of WLD stands at about 3% and is expected to increase in the first week of operation. Notably, the low circulating supply is a strategic move to attract more users over the years to come, according to the project’s whitepaper.
Critics have raised concerns about the token’s price stability and long-term valuation. Notably, influential investor William Mougayar questioned the timing of the token launch, emphasizing its minimal utility, which might lead to speculative trading.
Despite the criticisms and controversies surrounding Worldcoin, major crypto exchanges like Binance, Bybit, Huobi, OKX, Gate.io, and KuCoin have listed the token, driving its trading volumes to over $348 million in the past 24 hours, as reported by CoinGecko.
The project’s association with figures such as Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and CEO of FTX, who has faced allegations of fraud, has added to its questionable reputation. Additionally, Kyle Davies, the co-founder of bankrupt Singapore hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, hinted at his firm’s involvement with Worldcoin, further contributing to the mixed sentiments surrounding the project.
Worldcoin currently boasts over 2 million Orb-verified users, with a significant portion of these users located in developing countries. This has raised concerns about the ethics of the project and its potential for exploitation.
Conclusion
Worldcoin’s WLD token experienced a remarkable surge upon listing on major exchanges, but this growth has been accompanied by significant concerns and controversies. As the project aims to reshape digital identity verification, the crypto community closely watches its actions, wary of any potential abuses and privacy issues. With major exchanges listing the token despite the controversies, the future of Worldcoin remains uncertain, and its success will likely hinge on addressing the prevailing concerns and achieving meaningful adoption in the digital economy.
