OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Worldcoin (WLD) token hit a record high on Thursday, riding a broader rally in AI-related tokens. The surge initially began on Wednesday evening following chipmaker Nvidia’s impressive fourth-quarter earnings and first-quarter guidance, and has continued to gain momentum since then. Leading the charge in terms of gains is Worldcoin’s WLD, which soared 40% in a single day and nearly 170% over the past 7 days, reaching a new all-time high of $8.85 and trading at $8.54 at press time. Worldcoin, co-created by OpenAI founder Sam Altman, is often associated with AI-related projects.

Other AI-related tokens also experienced significant movements on Thursday, with SingularityNET’s AGIX climbing 43%, and FetchAI’s FET rising 18%. Additionally, the Graph’s (GRT) surged by 17% and Render’s (RNDR) jumped by 23%.

According to Strahinja Savic, head of data and analytics at FRNT Financial, the recent surge in AI-related tokens can be attributed to several factors. “The launch of OpenAI’s Sora and Nvidia’s impressive sales forecast are fueling broader optimism surrounding AI that is spilling over into crypto,” said Savic. He compared the current situation to the past, where metaverse-related tokens rallied when Facebook rebranded itself as Meta.

Savic raised the question of the effectiveness of exposure to artificial intelligence through these AI-themed tokens, as most of them do not have a direct connection to the adoption being driven by OpenAI or Google’s Gemini. He emphasized that the use of blockchain technology for AI purposes remains unclear and highly experimental at this point. Buying AI-themed cryptocurrencies represents exposure to niche blockchain-based AI derivatives rather than mass adoption, which has recently garnered significant attention.

Savic also noted the possibility that the demand for AI tokens may be coming from investors in regions without access to U.S. equities. “For an investor unable to buy stocks like NVDA, AI-themed tokens may be the next best alternative,” he added.

Worldapp, Worldcoin’s first wallet built for the project, surpassed 1 million daily users earlier this week, according to the company.

Overall, the surge in AI-related tokens reflects the growing optimism and interest in AI and its potential applications. However, it is important to recognize the speculative nature of these investments and the experimental stage of blockchain-based AI technologies. As the market continues to evolve, it is crucial for investors to conduct thorough research and exercise caution when navigating the burgeoning landscape of AI-related cryptocurrencies.