Vitalik Buterin Warns Sam Altman's World ID Kills Privacy

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has warned that digital identity systems like Sam Altman’s World project pose a serious threat to online pseudonymity. In a blog post published Saturday, Buterin singled out World’s “one-per-person” approach as structurally dangerous to freedom on the internet.

“Under one-per-person ID, even if ZK-wrapped, we risk coming closer to a world where all of your activity must de-facto be under a single public identity,” he wrote. While acknowledging benefits like Sybil resistance, Buterin stressed that rigid ID schemes make anonymous participation nearly impossible.

World, formerly Worldcoin, issues World IDs to users after biometric eye scans, tying their digital presence to physical uniqueness. The project claims over 13 million sign-ups and is now rolling out in the US, with a Tinder pilot and Visa card in development.

Buterin instead advocates a “pluralistic” identity model using multiple independent verifiers, like social graphs or layered credentials. Without such diversity, he said, “if their market share gets too close to 100%, they shift the world… to a one-per-person model, which has worse properties.”

Lido Adds Veto Power For Ethereum Stakers

Lido DAO has passed a proposal introducing dual governance, allowing stETH holders to delay or block decisions made by LDO token holders. The system activates if 1% of staked ETH is deposited in a dissent escrow, initially pausing governance actions for five days. If 10% is locked, proposals are frozen, and a Rage-Quit mode halts further votes until withdrawals occur.

The upgrade follows a closely watched vote that passed with over 53 million LDO, just clearing quorum, and is set to finalize June 30. Vitalik Buterin called it an essential safeguard against decisions that could harm stakers or the Ethereum network. Lido said it marks one of the protocol’s most important governance changes to date, reflecting a growing need for balanced onchain power structures.

Gemini Launches Tokenized Stock Trading In Europe

Crypto exchange Gemini has launched tokenized stock trading in the EU, starting with onchain shares of Strategy (MSTR) on the Arbitrum network. The feature enables 24/7 trading and fractional ownership, and Gemini plans to add more assets across additional chains. The initiative aims to expand access to US equities globally through crypto infrastructure.

The offering uses Dinari's tokenization tools, with tokens backed 1:1 by real shares and held by regulated custodians. Gemini said the service blends public market access with the always-on nature of digital assets. Though initially limited to non-US users, Gemini joins other platforms in bringing traditional equities onchain in a regulated way.

OpenSea Co-Founder Raises $40M For AI Startup

Alex Atallah, co-founder of OpenSea, has raised $40 million for his AI infrastructure firm OpenRouter, backed by a16z, Menlo Ventures, and Sequoia. The startup aggregates large language models and routes user prompts to the most efficient provider using a single API. The company is now valued at $500 million and targets enterprise-grade reliability.

OpenRouter says it solves rising inference costs and integration complexity for developers using multiple AI models. Customers pay with credits, while the platform automates model selection based on cost, privacy, and accuracy. Atallah stepped down from OpenSea in 2022 to pursue a new venture and co-founded OpenRouter with Louis Vichy the following year.

Data of the Day

A new study from the Hana Institute of Finance shows that 27% of South Koreans aged 20–50 hold digital assets, with crypto making up 14% of their portfolios. Interest is especially high among those in their 40s, and 70% of participants plan to increase exposure in the future. Many cited long-term savings, growth potential, and retirement planning as key drivers.

Respondents also pointed to improved legal frameworks and more institutional involvement as factors that would boost confidence. Bitcoin remains the top asset, though altcoin and stablecoin diversification is rising among experienced users. Restrictions on linking bank accounts to exchanges remain a concern, while volatility and fraud continue to deter more cautious investors.

More Breaking News

• A surge in IRS warning letters to crypto investors signals rising enforcement pressure ahead of next year’s sweeping 1099-DA tax rules.
• Coinbase soared 43% in June, outperforming the entire S&P 500, supported by stablecoin momentum and optimism around the GENIUS Act's progress.
• Ripple has agreed to drop its cross-appeal and pay a $125 million penalty, finally closing its multi-year standoff with the SEC.
• EUR market leader Bitvavo secured a MiCA license, unlocking access to 27 EU nations and joining Coinbase and Kraken in regulatory approval.
• Bitcoin-heavy firm Strategy now faces five copycat lawsuits tied to $6B in unrealized losses, as plaintiffs jockey to lead the legal charge.
• ACX plunged after insider trading and DAO abuse claims hit the Across Protocol team, which denies all wrongdoing and says grants were legitimate.
• Russian crypto scammer 'Bitmama' has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a $23M Bitcoin scheme disguised as overseas investments.
• Fake IT workers infiltrated NFT projects to steal $1 million by abusing mint mechanics, with ZackXBT uncovering the coordinated Web3 attack.

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