Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, the parent company behind the interactive artificial intelligence (AI) platform ChatGPT, has voiced his concerns about the future of Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies, which he believes are facing significant challenges from the United States government.
During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, Altman expressed his dismay at what he referred to as an onslaught against the sector by the U.S. government. He suggested that recent government actions represent a “war on crypto,” highlighting his disappointment with the authorities’ approach to digital assets.
“I’m disappointed that the U.S. government has done recently, but the war on crypto, which I think is a, like, we can’t give this up, we’re going to control [bitcoin and crypto] makes me quite sad about the country,” Altman said.
His comments mirror the mounting sentiment among crypto enthusiasts and industry leaders who are concerned about heightened government intervention in the digital currency realm. Along these lines, government agencies, led by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have come under scrutiny amid allegations of attempting to suppress the crypto sector.
Altman went on to express his deep concerns about the potential expansion of the surveillance state in the United States, particularly in the context of state control over money. He expressed his opposition to the concept of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), stating that he is “super against” them.
It is worth noting that CBDCs have been a topic of discussion among U.S. lawmakers and regulators, with a majority expressing opposition. Still, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has indicated that implementing such a technology remains a distant prospect.
Altman’s support for Bitcoin
At the same time, Altman stated that he remains enthusiastic about Bitcoin, emphasizing the significance of having a global currency that operates outside the control of any government.
“I’m excited about Bitcoin, too. I think this idea that we have a global currency that is outside of the control of any government is a super logical and important step on the tech tree,” he added.
Notably, Altman has been a subject of criticism within the Bitcoin community due to his involvement in the controversial Worldcoin crypto project. The project aims to create a database of individuals by scanning their eyes in exchange for Worldcoin’s cryptocurrency (WLD). Critics argue that it raises privacy and ethical concerns.
The controversy led to several governments globally banning Worldcoin activities, with countries like Kenya citing concerns about data privacy as the primary reason for their actions.
