Sam Altman preps Chrome rival but one big question remains

Sam Altman preps Chrome rival but one big question remains originally appeared on TheStreet.

Sam Altman-led OpenAI is preparing to launch an AI-powered web browser that could challenge the dominance of Alphabet’s (Nasdaq: GOOGL) Chrome, according to a July 9 report by Reuters.

Alphabet shares slipped as much as 4% following the news before recovering to trade at $176.34 at the time of writing.

The new browser, expected to debut in the coming weeks, will reportedly leverage OpenAI’s large language models to fundamentally reimagine how people browse the internet. According to Reuters, three people familiar with the matter confirmed the launch timeline.

Crucially, the browser would give OpenAI direct access to user behavior and data — a core driver of Google’s long-standing dominance in the ad and search ecosystem.

Chrome remains one of Google’s biggest cash cows, indirectly tied to nearly 75% of Alphabet’s revenue through search and advertising. If OpenAI’s rumored browser manages to peel away even a fraction of its 400 million weekly active ChatGPT users, Chrome’s moat could face pressure.

One big question

As AI, privacy, and crypto increasingly overlap, one open question remains: will OpenAI’s browser integrate any blockchain or crypto-native features?

Other alternative browsers like Brave have leaned into the crypto space by embedding native tokens or rewarding users for engagement. While OpenAI has made no such statements, the question becomes more relevant due to Sam Altman’s ties to crypto.

In 2019, Altman co-founded Tools for Humanity, the company behind the controversial Worldcoin (WLD) project — which uses iris scanning to verify identity and grant access to its cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The Worldcoin project uses iris technology to authenticate humans and has been mired in controversy due to allegations of privacy violations. It has faced challenges in countries such as France, the U.K., South Korea, Spain, Kenya, and India due to the same reason.

The WLD token was exchanging hands at $0.8838 at the time of writing, down more than 50% over a year.

Web browsers such as Google have regularly faced allegations of privacy violations. It is a matter of time before we find out if OpenAI will be able to uphold privacy as it operates multiple applications that are in constant interaction with users.

Sam Altman preps Chrome rival but one big question remains first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 9, 2025

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.