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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman raises nearly $100M for crypto project — with help from Sam Bankman-Fried

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman raises nearly 0M for crypto project — with help from Sam Bankman-Fried

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has nearly reached his goal of raising $100 million to fund his latest cryptocurrency project — and it’s all thanks to embattled crypto poster child Sam Bankman-Fried and Jeffrey Epstein’s former comrade Reid Hoffman.

The funds will be used to advance Worldcoin — Altman’s plan for a secure, global cryptocurrency that offers free crypto in exchange for a scan of users’ eyeballs.

It’s “the first token to be globally and freely distributed to people just for being a unique individual,” according to the company’s website.

Among Worldcoin’s angel investors: Bankman-Fried, who’s awaiting trial for 13 criminal charges related to stealing from customers of his now-bankrupt FTX crypto exchange, and billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who — according to a new report — visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.

It’s unclear how much of the $100 million was from by Bankman-Fried or Hoffman.

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The fundraising was led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Khosla Ventures, Coinbase, Day One Ventures and Variant Fund’s Jesse Walden, according to TechCrunch.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is raising $100 million to fund Worldcoin, a secure, global cryptocurrency that offers free crypto in exchange for a scan of users’ eyeballs.
The Washington Post via Getty Images

The investment was made at a $1 billion valuation.

The tech associated with Worldcoin’s proof-of-personhood verification, however, is still in beta, with plans to launch in the next few weeks.

It’s been slow to get off the ground since it was founded in 2019 as co-founder and OpenAI boss Altman has been busy finalizing a deal with Microsoft where the tech giant invested $10 billion in OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Worldcoin’s in-beta tech is called The Orb, which captures an image of a user’s iris to onboard them, no matter who they are or where in the world they’re located.

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The image is then converted into an alphanumeric hash code — a process that can’t be reversed, TechCrunch reported.

If the code has never been uploaded before, it’s then saved into Worldcoin’s database and generates a crypto wallet with a unique QR code.


Sam Bankman-Fried is one of Worldcoin's investors. He's an alleged fraudster that was charged with swindling investors of his FTX crypto exchange. The multi-year scheme ended when FTX filed for bankruptcy in November.
Sam Bankman-Fried is one of Worldcoin’s investors. He’s an alleged fraudster that was charged with swindling investors of his FTX crypto exchange. The multi-year scheme ended when FTX filed for bankruptcy in November.
Matthew McDermott

The system was created with privacy efforts in mind.

Hence, the database is full of hash codes rather than photos of eyeballs, and users are identified by QR wallet codes rather than their real names, according to TechCrunch.

Once a unique wallet is generated, users will be given free money — Worldcoin tokens.

As of Monday, $1 is equivalent to 21.97 Worldcoins (WDC), according to crypto.com.

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Billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman also invested in Worldcoin. A new report obtained by The Wall Street Journal earlier this month revealed that Hoffman paid a visit to Epstein Island, and had other plans to meet with the convicted sex offender.
Billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman also invested in Worldcoin. A new report obtained by The Wall Street Journal earlier this month revealed that Hoffman paid a visit to Epstein Island, and had other plans to meet with the convicted sex offender.
REUTERS

Users onboarded into Worldcoin’s database will be given 80% of the crypto’s supply, while 10% will be reserved for the company and 10% will go to investors.

Those investors include 31-year-old former billionaire Bankman-Fried, who accumulated an estimated net worth of $26 billion during Bitcoin’s boom and became a type of poster child for crypto when he founded high-profile crypto exchange FTX in 2019.

He’s now an alleged fraudster, charged by the US Department of Justice for swindling FTX investors in a scheme that ended when the crypto company filed for bankruptcy in November.

While it’s unclear how much money Bankman-Fried contributed to Worldcoin’s $100 million fund, he was known to be very generous in his philanthropy, gifting $5.2 million to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, making him one of the largest donors to a Democratic political candidate.

Alongside Bankman-Fried, 55-year-old Linkedin co-founder Reid Hoffman is among Worldcoin’s investors.


Worldcoin was co-founded by Altman and Alex Blania (pictured).
Worldcoin was co-founded by Altman and Alex Blania (pictured).
Alex Blania/Facebook

Worldcoin onboards users using The Orb, a camera that takes photos of people's irises and then turns the image into hash code.
Worldcoin onboards users using The Orb, a camera that takes photos of people’s irises and then turns the image into hash code.
Worldcoin

Earlier this month, a new report obtained by The Wall Street Journal revealed that Hoffman paid a visit to Epstein’s Caribbean residence — also known as “pedophile island” — back in 2014.

The report revealed plans to revisit the island later that year, and also to stay the night at Epstein’s Manhattan townhome to attend a “breakfast party” with the convicted sex offender the next morning.

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The Worldcoin currency will function as Layer 2 Ethereum-based crypto, meaning it leverages the speed and reduced costs of transacting on the Ethereum blockchain while still having its own economy.

Co-founders Altman and Alex Blania are using Layer 2 crypto in an effort to make the global economy beneficial to “every person on the planet, regardless of country of background,” according to Worldcoin’s site.

Blania told TechCrunch that other cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, have yet to do this successfully.

“Bitcoin isn’t scalable to billions of people,” Blania said, according to TechCrunch. “As we see today, it’s very expensive because transactions are slow.”

However, the goal of onboarding every person on this planet into Worldcoin’s system is a very taxing one, considering The Orb tech is necessary but there’s only 30 Orb prototypes in existence.

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Yet more than 700 users can be onboarded using a single Orb per week, as seen in early testing across South America, Asia, Africa and Europe, Blania told TechCrunch.

And each unique user onboarded via The Orb will be given a share of crypto.

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Bears, Bulls and Regulations Shape Crypto’s 2025 Aspirations | PYMNTS.com

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Bears, Bulls and Regulations Shape Crypto’s 2025 Aspirations | PYMNTS.com

The global cryptocurrency market is capitalized at over $3 trillion. Much of that value is concentrated at the top, among a few key digital tokens.

Bitcoin, as the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency, plays a central role in the sector’s valuation, commanding a substantial share. At its highest, bitcoin’s market capitalization has approached $2 trillion, representing roughly two-thirds of the landscape’s overall market value.

Bitcoin topped $100,000 as 2024 came to a close, but has skidded down double digits from its peak of over $108,000 around two weeks ago.

This concentration of value at the top has implications for the overall market’s volatility, innovation and the evolution of altcoins, with bitcoin often setting the tone for broader market trends. It also raises questions about the future of crypto market dynamics as new technologies and use cases continue to emerge.

With the news that the Tether stablecoin’s (USDT) market cap fell more than 1% to $137.24 billion this week, the largest decline since the crash of the FTX exchange in November 2022, understanding the impact of regulations on the marketplace is becoming crucial for businesses looking to capture efficiencies and advantages from the use of tokens such as stablecoins.

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After all, USDT is supposed to maintain a stable, flat value of $1. As of reporting, the stablecoin is a smidge below that value, sitting at $0.9993. The decline comes after several European Union-based crypto exchanges removed USDT due to compliance issues with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation that took full effect on Dec. 30 (the actual law around stablecoins kicked in six months ago).

Per the MiCA regulations, stablecoin issuers must hold an e-money license in at least one EU member state in order to operate across the 27-nation bloc. Tether, which has faced controversy throughout its history, has yet to apply for an e-money license.

Read more: What Was Crypto’s Biggest 2024 Story? Hint: It Wasn’t Named Elon

The Role of Institutional Adoption 

In 2025, the cryptocurrency market may find itself at a crossroads. If the bulls are right, the industry could see substantial growth, with more institutional investment, regulatory clarity and real-world use cases for cryptocurrencies. However, if the bears prevail, we may witness a volatile market, regulatory crackdowns and a continued struggle to overcome the technology’s shortcomings.

The bullish optimism surrounding institutional adoption is one of the strongest driving forces. In 2025, financial institutions, banks and even central banks are expected to play a significant role in legitimizing cryptocurrencies. Global financial giants are already eyeing blockchain for solutions like cross-border payments and settlement systems, providing liquidity for crypto markets and solidifying their utility in traditional finance.

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Stablecoins — digital currencies pegged to traditional assets like the U.S. dollar — are likely to become a common mode of transaction. With major players in FinTech, like PayPal and Visa, already integrating cryptocurrencies into their platforms and experimenting with stablecoins, real-world use cases could soon be as easy as tapping a credit card.

Read also: Why Banks Might Want to Have a Blockchain Strategy

The Bearish Argument: Volatility, Regulatory Shadows

Perhaps the biggest concern for crypto’s future is government regulation. The lack of clear rules around cryptocurrencies has been a major deterrent for mainstream adoption.

PYMNTS covered on Nov. 25 how cryptocurrencies, and more specifically their underlying blockchain technologies, have gone from a solution in search of a problem to a solution in hopes of some regulatory clarity. Of course, that clarity may come when cryptocurrency companies and other firms embrace and invest in, rather than resist, appropriate guardrails for their industries.

The dynamic situation at home in the U.S. has even led to people like venture capitalist Marc Andreessen arguing that banks are cutting ties with customers on the political right, or with industries such as the cryptocurrency sector.

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Writing about the issue earlier this month, PYMNTS argued that while Andreessen’s claims might resonate with the frustrations held by many corners of the cryptocurrency and FinTech sectors, the reality could be far more nuanced than a political assault on those industries.

“After all, innovation typically moves faster than regulation, and the growing strain between traditional banks and future-fit FinTech and crypto firms can also be in part chalked up to the inevitable consequence of outdated regulatory frameworks, stricter know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) standards, as well as heightened fraud risks,” that report said.

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Launch the next big cryptocurrency presale inspired by Dogecoin with Blocksync

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Launch the next big cryptocurrency presale inspired by Dogecoin with Blocksync

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Dogecoin’s rise shows the power of community; Blocksync helps launch crypto projects with secure tools and growth strategies.

Dogecoin started as a joke, yet it became one of the most iconic cryptocurrencies, proving the power of relatability, community, and creativity. For anyone who has dreamed of launching their own crypto project inspired by Dogecoin’s journey, now is the time to act. With the 2025 cryptocurrency market set for explosive growth, launching a presale today gives users the opportunity to secure funding, attract investors, and build a loyal community.

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Blocksync is here to turn visions into reality. From designing secure smart contracts to building intuitive presale platforms and executing high-impact marketing campaigns, Blocksync provides all the tools and expertise crypto enthusiasts need to create the next big cryptocurrency success story.

The Dogecoin phenomenon and what it means

Dogecoin’s rise to prominence stemmed from its simplicity, humor, and the strong community it fostered. What began as a lighthearted project quickly grew into a global movement, attracting both retail and institutional investors. Its success showed the world that even seemingly playful ideas could have serious staying power in the blockchain space.

If people are inspired by Dogecoin’s story, they can launch their own cryptocurrency project that combines fun with functionality. Blocksync helps create a presale that aligns with users’ vision, offering investors both entertainment and robust blockchain solutions.

Custom smart contracts for a secure launch

At the core of every successful cryptocurrency is a reliable and transparent smart contract. Blocksync specializes in creating customized smart contracts tailored to users’ project’s specific needs.

The contracts support multiple blockchain ecosystems, including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Solana, ensuring that the project appeals to a diverse audience of investors. These contracts prioritize decentralization and security, giving backers confidence that their contributions are handled responsibly.

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With Blocksync’s expertise, the project gains the technical foundation it needs to launch securely and attract investor trust.

Professional presale platforms that engage investors

The presale platform is the first impression potential investors will have of the project. Blocksync creates custom presale platforms that combine professional design with intuitive functionality, ensuring the platform captivates and converts visitors.

Key features include:

  • Integrated cryptocurrency payment gateways for seamless transactions.
  • Real-time tracking of presale progress to build transparency and excitement.
  • Responsive designs optimized for mobile and desktop users.

By providing a user-friendly and visually appealing experience, Blocksync ensures the platform reflects the professionalism and vision of the cryptocurrency.

Marketing strategies to build community and momentum

Dogecoin’s success was fueled by its viral nature and strong community engagement. Blocksync’s marketing experts craft strategic campaigns that maximize visibility and attract investors to the project.

Blocksync’s approach includes:

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  • Social media campaigns tailored to the project’s unique tone and style.
  • Collaborations with influencers to amplify the message.
  • Press releases and partnerships with top-tier crypto media outlets to establish credibility.

By leveraging platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit, Blocksync helps the project gain the attention and excitement it needs to thrive in the competitive crypto market.

Future-proof solutions for long-term growth

While virality drives initial success, sustainability ensures the project’s longevity. Blocksync provides future-proof blockchain solutions to position users’ cryptocurrency for growth and scalability.

Its services include multi-chain compatibility, staking mechanisms, token utility enhancements, and DeFi integrations. These features ensure the token remains relevant and valuable long after the presale ends.

Comprehensive support for the cryptocurrency journey

Launching a cryptocurrency involves balancing technical development, platform design, and marketing execution. Blocksync simplifies the process by offering end-to-end support, allowing users to focus on building their community and refining their vision.

Blocksync’s comprehensive services include:

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  • Developing secure smart contracts tailored to the project’s needs.
  • Designing and building professional presale platforms.
  • Crafting targeted marketing strategies to drive visibility and engagement.
  • Integrating advanced blockchain features for scalability and innovation.

With Blocksync handling the details, users can confidently launch their cryptocurrency presale knowing every aspect has been expertly managed.

Why choose Blocksync?

Blocksync is a trusted partner for blockchain innovators, combining technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and strategic marketing to deliver standout presale projects. The team has a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs bring their visions to life and navigate the complexities of the cryptocurrency market.

Whether users are inspired by Dogecoin’s humor and community spirit or want to introduce groundbreaking new features, Blocksync ensures their project stands out and succeeds in the 2025 crypto market.

For more information on Blocksync, visit the official website and Telegram.

Partner with Blocksync today to design, develop, and launch a presale that captures investor interest, builds community, and positions the cryptocurrency for long-term success.

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Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. crypto.news does not endorse any product mentioned on this page. Users must do their own research before taking any actions related to the company.

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Frax Partners With Securitize on New Stablecoin | PYMNTS.com

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Frax Partners With Securitize on New Stablecoin | PYMNTS.com

Decentralized stablecoin cryptocurrency protocol Frax Finance launched a stablecoin that it said offers “unprecedented” transparency and custody.

The frxUSD stablecoin is a rebranded evolution of the company’s flagship FRAX stablecoin and will leverage BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), tokenized by Securitize, Frax said in a Thursday (Jan. 2) press release.

The new stablecoin offers direct fiat redemption capabilities and enhanced compliance with U.S. financial systems, according to the release.

“By partnering with Securitize to access and leverage BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund we are setting a new standard for stablecoins,” Frax Finance Founder Sam Kazemian said in the release. “frxUSD combines the transparency and programmability of blockchain technology with the trust and stability of BlackRock’s prime treasury offerings.”

In this new collaboration around the stablecoin, BUIDL will become an enshrined custodian asset for minting and redeeming frxUSD; the stablecoin will be backed by cash, U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements held in BUIDL; and frxUSD will offer seamless fiat on/off-ramping capabilities via the BUIDL infrastructure, per the release.

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“Tokenized real-world assets provide an excellent bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance, bringing institutional-grade investments on-chain with unprecedented transparency and efficiency,” Securitize Co-Founder and CEO Carlos Domingo said in the release. “This collaboration exemplifies the next stage in financial evolution, demonstrating how traditional and decentralized systems can work together to redefine asset management strategies.”

Stablecoins are emerging as a powerful tool bridging the gap between traditional financial technology and the world of cryptocurrencies, PYMNTS reported in October.

As cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a reserve asset (usually a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar or the euro), stablecoins are able to offer the efficiency and transparency of blockchain technology while providing the familiarity and stability of fiat currencies.

In another, separate development, it was reported Thursday that stablecoin leader Tether has seen its market value decline amid new European Union (EU) cryptocurrency rules, with the company’s USDT having its sharpest weekly drop in two years.

USDT had reached a record market value in mid-December but declined after several EU-based exchanges and Coinbase removed the stablecoin due to compliance issues with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation that took full effect on Dec. 30.

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