Worldcoin price rebounds as Microsoft, OpenAI backers push for Sam Altman to return

Days after losing more than 10% of its value following the surprise dismissal of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI, Worldcoin (WLD) rebounded by more than 24% in the last 24 hours. 

Altman, considered a leading figure in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, found himself relieved of his duties on Nov. 17. 

Mira Murati was named interim CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.

This sudden development prompted a wave of dialogue within the AI space, with Altman’s departure putting a spotlight on his involvement with Worldcoin — a cryptocurrency venture with a vision for equitable wealth distribution across the globe. 

The decision to remove Altman faced backlash from prominent stakeholders and investors, including tech giant Microsoft Corp, who are now reportedly advocating for his return to OpenAI in some capacity. 

Undisclosed sources also told the New York Times that Altman, and his fellow OpenAI co-founder, Greg Brockman, were interested in starting a new AI company. A possible return to OpenAI is also being reported, provided that a reformed board and governance framework is put in place. Details regarding these speculations remain elusive. 

The buzz surrounding Altman’s possible comeback to OpenAI has triggered a rally of over 24% in the WLD token’s value, bouncing back from the previous downturn. 

Cryptocurrency experts observed that this fluctuation reflects market uncertainty, with shifts in sentiment following the latest news and developments. 

The WLD token initially dipped after Altman’s sudden exit from OpenAI, but its price has since bounced back from $1.83 to $2.44, despite a 13% drop to $1.91 on the day according to CoinGecko data.