Money

OpenAI’s weird crypto project scans your eyeballs

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2023

ticker NEWS

The Worldcoin crypto project, founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has caused a stir as people worldwide willingly get their eyeballs scanned in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency.

That’s despite concerns raised by privacy campaigners and data regulators.

The project aims to create a new “identity and financial network” by providing a digital ID that can prove users’ human authenticity online.

Despite privacy worries, people queued at locations in countries like Britain, Japan, and India to have their irises scanned, receiving 25 free Worldcoin tokens in return. While some users expressed concerns over data collection, many were intrigued by the innovative project, which claims to have issued IDs for over two million people in 120 countries during a two-year trial period.

Privacy concerns

Privacy campaigners, such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center, have labeled Worldcoin’s data collection as a “potential privacy nightmare,” and the company’s privacy policies are under scrutiny. Worldcoin asserts that the project is “completely private,” with biometric data either deleted or stored in encrypted form, though critics argue that biometric data could still be vulnerable to hacking or exploitation.

Notably, the promise of financial gains from the crypto coins enticed users to share their personal data. The Worldcoin tokens were trading around $2.30 on Binance, the world’s largest exchange. Some participants saw the opportunity for financial profit, making them overlook privacy concerns, while others were simply intrigued by the project’s AI and crypto connections.

Despite the enthusiasm, regulators and privacy groups are paying attention. Britain’s data regulator has initiated inquiries into the UK launch of Worldcoin, and privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch has warned about potential data hacking and exploitation risks. Nevertheless, many users remain undeterred, investing in the project despite not reading the privacy policy or expressing significant privacy concerns.

Money

How to position investments for 2026: Expert advice on market cycles

As 2026 begins, strategic investment positioning and understanding market cycles are crucial for navigating today’s evolving financial landscape.

Published

21 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, strategic investment positioning and understanding market cycles are crucial for navigating today’s evolving financial landscape.

As 2026 begins, investors are navigating an evolving market landscape. Experts stress that positioning your investments strategically is far more important than trying to predict market movements.

Key factors include focusing on quality companies, maintaining strong cash flow, and diversifying intelligently.

Dale Gillham from Wealth Within Group joins us to break down what defines a major market cycle and why understanding it can shape your investment approach. From identifying inflation-resilient businesses to selectively tapping into growth themes like AI, this discussion covers essential strategies for the year ahead.

We also explore the role of risk management, the importance of an exit strategy, and how emotional decision-making can impact your portfolio. For anyone looking to strengthen their investing education and skills, this episode offers actionable insights to gain an edge in 2026.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Investing2026 #MarketCycles #WealthManagement #AIInvesting #FinancialStrategy #RiskManagement #InvestmentTips #TickerNews

Money

Markets in 2026: Fed rates, gold surge, oil tensions & AUD strength

As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.

As 2026 begins, global markets face a mix of economic shifts and geopolitical tensions shaping currencies, commodities, and interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s next moves are under the microscope, and Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry Markets says understanding these changes is key for investors navigating the year ahead.

Gold and silver are hitting all-time highs, driven by market volatility and economic uncertainty. Kresovic notes that both metals are likely to continue climbing, remaining essential safe-haven assets amid inflation concerns.

Energy markets are also volatile, with crude oil prices rising amid geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is showing strength against the U.S. dollar. Kresovic highlights that these trends in energy and currency markets can ripple across the global economy, making them critical for investors to watch.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@UCiMroZIXuwlSh1r5wZdeU6Q

#MarketUpdate #FedRates2026 #GoldPrices #SilverSurge #CrudeOil #AUDUSD #InvestingInsights #TickerNews

Money

Stocks hit record high as Powell faces investigation and Trump proposes credit cap

S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.

The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high, with the Nasdaq climbing 0.5% while the Dow Jones held steady. This comes amid news of a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Despite the scrutiny, analysts believe short-term interest rates and inflation are unlikely to be impacted.

Meanwhile, Trump’s proposal to cap credit card rates at 10% for a year sparked concern among investors about potential effects on lending and bank profitability. Major bank stocks reacted sharply, with Citigroup down 3% and Capital One falling 6%.

In commodities, gold futures rose 2%, reflecting fears that political pressure on the Fed could challenge its ability to manage inflation effectively.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#StockMarket #SP500 #Nasdaq #FederalReserve #JeromePowell #TrumpNews #BankStocks #GoldFutures