Worldcoin Faces Singapore Probe Over Illicit Account Sales

As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen eye for regulatory developments, I find myself intrigued by the latest news surrounding Worldcoin. Having navigated through the tumultuous waters of cryptocurrency markets and witnessed numerous ups and downs, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when faced with yet another regulatory probe into a promising digital asset.


Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and MAS Chairman, Gan Kim Yong, disclosed a probe against seven individuals due to alleged illegal activities involving Worldcoin account transactions and tokens.

On September 9th, I received news suggesting some individuals might have been involved in the illicit purchase and sale of crypto accounts and tokens. Such activities, if proven true, could potentially breach the Payment Services Act of 2019.

Worldcoin Faces Singapore Probe

Yong made it clear that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has not classified Worldcoin as a legitimate payment service, based on the terms of the Payment Services Act. He went on to say that dealing with WLD accounts or tokens might be interpreted as running a payment service, which could be illegal and might be used for illicit activities like money laundering and funding terrorism.

Additionally, Yong urged consumers to stay alert regarding offers that might potentially misuse their digital payment token wallets or World IDs. He emphasized the risks involved in giving control of these accounts to others, as they could be manipulated by unscrupulous individuals.

The scrutiny of Worldcoin in Singapore is part of a series of global legal challenges the company faces. In the last year, regulatory bodies in countries such as Kenya, South Korea, and Germany have initiated investigations into the coin’s use of iris biometric data, concerned with possible violations of local data privacy laws.

Striving for Transparency and Expansion Despite Regulatory Hurdles

As a compliance analyst, I can attest that, despite encountering various obstacles, our coin adheres strictly to both domestic and global regulatory standards. To further bolster transparency and safeguard user information, we’ve made strategic decisions to open-source crucial aspects of our technology, ensuring trust and accountability within our community.

Alex Blania, one of the founders of Worldcoin, has set lofty objectives for the platform, hoping to grow it to a scale similar to Facebook, a step he thinks will boost its practicality. As stated on the project’s website, their AI-based cryptocurrency currently boasts over 6 million registered users in more than 160 countries worldwide.

As a researcher, I’ve noticed an upward trend in the past day for the WLD price, surging approximately 4%. At the moment of my latest update, the trading value was sitting at $1.66.

Introducing ‘Personal Custody’ and ‘Unverify World ID’ Option

In light of increased regulatory oversight, the coin has introduced new privacy enhancements to bolster user control and network security. At its core, these improvements include the implementation of “Personal Custody” and a “World ID Unverify” option. Leveraging advanced Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), this feature verifies transactions without disclosing sensitive data like transaction values or user identities, ensuring secure and confidential exchanges. This ZKP integration safeguards users’ financial privacy from external scrutiny.

Beyond this, those with World IDs can choose to permanently eliminate their iris code, rendering their World ID inactive. This deletion triggers a required six-month waiting period aimed at minimizing fraud risks. Once this period passes, the iris code is completely erased, offering additional privacy safeguards. To maintain a secure environment, Worldcoin enforces on-site age verification to ensure that only adults aged 18 and above can utilize the platform. These strong privacy improvements not only mark an important advancement for cryptocurrency but also underscore its dedication to championing user-focused innovation.

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2024-09-11 00:45