The biometric cryptocurrency initiative, according to its founders, intends to provide universal access to the global market regardless of country or background.

Kenya has halted operations of Worldcoin, Sam Altman's crypto currency initiative, due to data privacy concerns.

Kithure Kindiki, the interior minister, ordered the suspension today to allow government agencies to investigate potential threats to public safety.

Altman, OpenAI CEO, and Worldcoin CEO Alex Blania introduced Worldcoin in East Africa's largest economy this week, requiring users to provide iris scans in exchange for a digital ID.

The biometric cryptocurrency initiative, according to its founders, intends to provide universal access to the global market regardless of country or background.

They claim it is intended to become the world's greatest human identification and financial network, granting everyone ownership.

The goal, they claim, is to welcome "every person on the planet and to establish a community."

Fast forward to Kenya, where thousands of Kenyans have been queuing since last week to have their eyes scanned in exchange for Worldcoin cryptocurrency tokens, which they exchanged for $54.22.

This drew the attention of the government, resulting in today's suspension.

"Relevant security, financial services, and data protection agencies have launched inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforementioned activities, the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data," Kandiki said in a statement.

“Furthermore, assurances of public safety and the integrity of financial transactions involving such a huge number of citizens must be offered beforehand."