As the artificial intelligence revolution sweeps through traditional stock markets, crypto investors are searching for the ultimate vehicle to capture this exponential growth. According to Maelstrom, the investment fund led by BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, that vehicle is WLD, the native token of the Worldcoin project.
The Ultimate AI Proxy in Crypto
While tech giants like Nvidia and memory manufacturers experience historic rallies, the decentralized world has been slower to price in the upcoming wave of AI mega-IPOs. OpenAI, co-founded by Worldcoin’s own Sam Altman, has reportedly filed confidentially for an IPO targeting a staggering $1 trillion valuation. Meanwhile, competitor Anthropic is eyeing a $965 billion valuation after its latest funding round.
Maelstrom researcher Lukas Ruppert argues that the market is completely overlooking WLD as the cleanest liquid proxy for this AI boom.
“Capital is aggressively chasing Anthropic and OpenAI exposure. Valuations are in the hundreds of billions and trillions, but WLD trades at a $2 billion unlocked market cap—a small cap when it comes to AI valuations. This represents an asymmetric upside.”
Understanding the “Short Overhang”
If the fundamentals are so strong, why has WLD been in a downtrend since February? The answer lies in market mechanics rather than a lack of interest.
In March, Worldcoin raised $65 million via an over-the-counter (OTC) private sale. To protect themselves from price volatility before their tokens unlocked, these private buyers hedged their positions by shorting WLD on perpetual futures markets. This created what Ruppert describes as a “textbook short overhang,” artificially suppressing the token’s price.
900% – Projected growth target for WLD by August
$5.00 – Maelstrom’s target price for Worldcoin
43% – Reduction in daily token emissions starting July 24
Two Catalysts for a Massive Trend Reversal
Maelstrom identifies two key triggers that could dismantle this short overhang and spark a massive reflexive rally:
1. The Eightco Treasury Play
Eightco (ORBS), a publicly traded firm, has already accumulated 283 million WLD tokens. With approximately $144 million in cash on its balance sheet, any decision by the company to deploy this capital into buying more heavily shorted WLD tokens could trigger a violent short squeeze, forcing bears to buy back their positions at rapidly rising prices.
2. The July 24 Unlock Reduction
On July 24, Worldcoin’s daily token unlock emission schedule is set to decrease by 43%. This dramatic reduction in daily selling pressure removes a major headwind, allowing buying demand to easily overwhelm the remaining supply.
“WLD doesn’t move often—but when it does, it moves aggressively. We expect the token to reach $5 by August.”
FAQ
What is the current Worldcoin price prediction by Maelstrom?
Maelstrom predicts that WLD will reach $5 by August, representing an approximate 900% gain from its recent lows around $0.50.
Why is Worldcoin considered an AI proxy?
Worldcoin was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Because retail investors cannot easily buy shares in private AI companies like OpenAI or Anthropic, they use WLD as a liquid proxy to gain exposure to the AI sector’s growth.
What caused the recent decline in WLD’s price?
The decline was primarily driven by a “short overhang.” Private investors who bought WLD in a $65 million OTC round hedged their locked tokens by shorting WLD on perpetual futures, putting downward pressure on the spot price.
