Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Halts Orb Verification Service In India, France, & Brazil

In a surprising turn of events, Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has abruptly halted its Orb-verification services in India, Brazil, and France. The crypto startup’s unexpected retreat comes just months after an expansive global rollout of its helmet-shaped eyeball-scanning device, raising eyebrows and speculation about regulatory challenges in key markets.

Worldcoin’s Sudden Halt Raises Questions

Worldcoin’s ambitious venture into identity verification via its Orb has hit a roadblock, with the crypto startup ceasing services in India, Brazil, and France. Meanwhile, the Orb, a distinctive five-pound chromatic sphere designed for eyeball scanning, garnered attention globally during its multi-city tour spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Despite opening pop-up kiosks and generating buzz, the sudden withdrawal from key markets prompts scrutiny into potential regulatory hurdles. Tools for Humanity, the foundation overseeing Worldcoin’s development, clarified that the Orb’s expansion was initially intended for “limited time access” in various markets, TechCrunch reported.

Meanwhile, Lily Gordon, a spokesperson, emphasized Worldcoin’s commitment to meeting regulatory requirements globally. Despite the Orb’s withdrawal, Gordon stated that Worldcoin continues its dedication to providing a secure and transparent service for verified individuals.

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Orb Popularity Vs. Regulatory Scrutiny

Worldcoin’s Orb, often likened to India’s Aadhaar biometric system, initially gained popularity with pop-up kiosks attracting crowds in India. However, whispers of regulatory challenges persisted among cryptocurrency startup founders in the country.

Previously, Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin echoed concerns over Orb’s design, privacy, security, and business decisions. However, despite privacy and safety concerns voiced by experts, co-founder Sam Altman believes openness through open-sourcing code will alleviate worries.

Meanwhile, the sudden withdrawal raises questions about the hurdles faced by Worldcoin in complying with diverse regulatory landscapes. As the crypto venture recalibrates, it remains to be seen how this setback will impact its global vision of distinguishing humans from artificial intelligence (AI) online.

However, despite the recent news, the Worldcoin price was up 5.44% during writing and traded at $3.74. In contrast, the trading volume of the WLD crypto was down 26.07% over the last 24 hours to $206.12 million.

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