Worldcoin is overlooked bet on AI IPO wave: Maelstrom
Maelstrom says WLD could rise to $5 by August as AI IPO hype builds and two token-specific catalysts line up.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Arthur Hayes’ Maelstrom argues Worldcoin’s WLD token is a neglected way to trade the AI boom. The firm points to AI IPO excitement, a possible buyback-style catalyst from Eightco, and a drop in token unlock pressure as reasons the token could rally sharply.
Maelstrom thinks Worldcoin’s token could jump because people are getting excited about AI companies, and this token is linked to that theme. It is like a small boat riding a big wave if the wave keeps growing.
Analysis
Maelstrom researcher Lukas Ruppert argues that WLD is positioned as a crypto proxy for the AI boom, even though the market has not priced that story in yet. The note lands as OpenAI has confidentially filed an IPO prospectus with the SEC and Anthropic has also filed a draft prospectus, reinforcing the idea that AI listings are moving closer.
Ruppert says the backdrop is already visible in public markets: AI-linked stocks have helped push the S&P 500 to record highs, but WLD has not followed the same pattern. Instead, the token has been under pressure since February, with losses worsening in March after a private token sale.
The article says Worldcoin raised $65 million in an over-the-counter round in March, with $25 million locked for six months. Ruppert describes the hedging from those buyers as a “textbook short overhang,” because they shorted WLD in futures markets to protect against price drops before unlock.
Maelstrom sees two possible catalysts. First, Eightco, a small public company that already holds 283 million WLD tokens, has about $144 million in cash and could use it to buy more tokens. Second, WLD’s daily unlock schedule is due to fall by 43% on July 24, which could reduce selling pressure.
Maelstrom says those factors could support a move to $5 by August, implying roughly a 900% gain from the cited $0.50 price at publication.
Key points
- Maelstrom says WLD could reach $5 by August, which would be about a 900% gain from the cited $0.50 price.
- The firm links the token to the AI IPO wave, citing OpenAI and Anthropic filing steps in the US.
- WLD has been in a downtrend since February, with March selling pressure tied to a $65 million OTC token sale.
- Maelstrom says Eightco’s WLD holdings and cash could create a buying catalyst.
- The token unlock schedule is set to drop by 43% on July 24, which could reduce daily selling pressure.
If AI IPO excitement keeps building, WLD could benefit as a public-market proxy for that theme. A potential token buy from Eightco and a smaller unlock schedule could both reduce pressure on the price and help a rally build.
The thesis depends on investors continuing to treat WLD as an AI trade rather than a separate crypto asset. If the expected buying does not happen, or if the unlock-related selling pressure remains strong, the token could stay weak despite the AI backdrop.
