OpenAI is researching the development of a "real person verification" social network, or collaborating with Worldcoin on iris scanning, as the Worldcoin WLD jumps 40%

OpenAI is reportedly developing a social platform centered around real identity verification, with Worldcoin’s Orb iris scanning technology listed as a candidate solution. The news triggered WLD token prices to surge over 40% at one point.
(Background recap: Worldcoin (World Network) arrives in Taiwan! Scan your iris for “real verification” to register for World ID and claim Worldcoin)
(Additional context: V神’s latest long article warns about “smartwatch data monopoly”: far more dangerous than Worldcoin, open-source and verifiable is true freedom)

Worldcoin (WLD) experienced a sharp rally this morning (29th), with prices rising from about $0.46 to a peak of $0.64, an increase of over 40% within three hours. By press time, it retreated to around $0.55, still maintaining approximately a 20% gain. The trigger for this surge was a rumor about AI giant OpenAI.

According to Forbes citing anonymous sources, there is a team of fewer than 10 people within OpenAI developing an early-stage social networking product. The main feature of this product is attempting to address the growing problem of AI bots and fake accounts on social media.

The report indicates that OpenAI is evaluating the use of Worldcoin’s “Orb” iris scanning device or Apple’s “Face ID” as potential real identity verification solutions.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Worldcoin is a project co-founded by OpenAI’s co-founder Sam Altman. Although he currently focuses mainly on managing OpenAI, this connection has led the market to believe that a partnership between the two is quite credible.

Why is “real identity proof” necessary?

As AI-generated content technology matures, distinguishing between real and fake accounts on social platforms becomes increasingly difficult. Information manipulation and bot proliferation have become core trust issues. Traditional real-name verification (KYC) often requires users to submit extensive personal data, whereas the concept of “proof of personhood” (PoP) aims to verify “I am the only and genuine human,” without storing raw biometric data or revealing personal details.

Worldcoin’s Orb device scans users’ irises to generate a unique encrypted “World ID.” In comparison, Apple’s Face ID is more widespread and has lower entry barriers for users, but in terms of biometric uniqueness and non-replicability, Orb is considered to have an advantage.

Market reaction and potential challenges

However, this project is still in early development, and OpenAI has not officially responded to the rumors. Moreover, Worldcoin faces strict regulatory scrutiny over biometric data in several countries, and the global deployment speed of Orb devices remains a major variable.

Nonetheless, if “real identity proof” can become a standard feature for future social networks, Worldcoin’s technology could transition from the crypto sphere to mainstream applications. Whether this rumor will mark a turning point for large-scale blockchain-based digital identity remains to be seen through further developments.