The crypto token Worldcoin surged sharply on Wednesday after reports suggested that OpenAI is developing a new social media platform designed to eliminate bots by using biometric verification.
According to a report published by Forbes, OpenAI is working on a so-called “humans-only” platform that would require users to prove they are real people. The project is said to be in its early stages and is being built by a small team of around 10 developers.
Sources cited in the report said the platform has been in development since early 2025 and is intended to compete directly with X. Separate reporting by The Verge confirmed the limited team size and early-stage nature of the project.
The platform is expected to use biometric technology for “proof of personhood.” Verification could reportedly rely on Apple’s Face ID or the World Orb iris-scanning device, which is part of the World ecosystem co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The World Orb scans a user’s face and iris to confirm they are a unique human, helping create a World ID. While the technology has drawn criticism over data privacy concerns, it remains central to Worldcoin’s onboarding process.
Following the report, Worldcoin’s WLD token jumped roughly 40%, rising from about $0.51 to $0.63. The price later retreated to around $0.54, according to data from CoinGecko.
Despite the short-term rally, Worldcoin has struggled over the past year. Amid a broader crypto market downturn in the second half of 2025, the token remains down nearly 70% over the last 12 months.
Details on how the reported social media platform would integrate with Worldcoin or its token remain unclear. However, sources believe that ChatGPT could be embedded into the platform to help users generate content such as text, images, or videos.
Altman has previously voiced strong criticism of bot activity on social media, particularly on X. In past comments, he described much of today’s online discourse as feeling “fake,” citing the overwhelming presence of automated and inauthentic accounts.
