Money

OpenAI’s weird crypto project scans your eyeballs

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2023

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

Australia’s inflation report and Nvidia earnings impact explained

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Published

5 days ago

February 26, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Australia’s latest inflation report is creating waves across the market, with questions about interest rates, the strong performance of the Aussie dollar, and the uneven nature of the stock market rally. Investors are watching closely as changes in carry trade risks this month add another layer of complexity.

David Scutt from StoneX discusses what these shifts mean for trading strategies and the broader economic outlook. He provides insight into how underlying factors are shaping investor confidence and market dynamics.

On the tech side, Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are expected to influence AI development and the broader tech sector. Coupled with trends in SaaS and bitcoin price action, these movements are signalling how investor sentiment is evolving in a fast-changing landscape.

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#AustraliaEconomy #InflationReport #AussieDollar #NvidiaEarnings #AIInvesting #StockMarketNews #BitcoinTrends #SaaSInsights

Money

U.S. stocks rally as AMD, Home Depot, and AI software lead gains

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

Published

7 days ago

February 25, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

U.S. tech stocks surged as investors’ fears over AI disruption eased. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9% after Meta announced a multiyear deal to deploy AMD’s graphics processing units for AI data centres. The move highlights growing corporate confidence in AI infrastructure investments.

DocuSign also rose 3% following Anthropic’s confirmation that Claude Cowork can integrate with DocuSign, Google Drive, and Gmail, signalling stronger adoption of AI tools across industries.

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF climbed 2% despite remaining over 30% below its 52-week high, showing tech stocks are recovering but still have room to run.

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Money

Stocks tumble amid AI concerns and Trump tariff update

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Published

1 week ago

February 24, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Stocks plunged sharply as concerns over artificial intelligence and trade tensions rattled investors, sending the Dow down more than 800 points. Heavyweights like American Express, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan were key contributors to the drop.

Software companies were hit particularly hard after a report suggested AI could impact economic growth, triggering further losses across tech shares.

Trade-sensitive retailers including American Eagle Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, and Yeti Holdings also faced setbacks as market uncertainty spiked. Bonds, meanwhile, rallied as investors sought safety in a volatile market.

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