World Network Secures $135 Million in Funding Led by a16z, Advancing in the U.S. Despite Facing Bans in Multiple Countries

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Leads Digital Identity Project World Network to Announce New $135 Million Funding Round

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s digital identity project World Network has recently announced the completion of a new funding round amounting to $135 million, led by prominent venture capital firms a16z and Bain Capital. However, privacy concerns have subjected it to rigorous scrutiny from governments in multiple countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, and Germany, raising ethical and legal questions about its “iris scanning for cryptocurrency” model.

World Raises $135 Million: Led by a16z and Bain

World announced on its official Twitter account that it has completed a $135 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto, with transactions made using its native token WLD.

World Foundation raised $135M from @a16z and @BainCapCrypto to accelerate scaling the real human network. Funding was through a recent direct purchase of liquid, market-priced $WLD. — World (@worldcoin) May 21, 2025

According to the World team, the funding will be used to advance its international layout, aiming to expand its global service coverage. This funding round will primarily be used to expand its iris scanning devices (orbs) and infrastructure, with plans to officially operate in six cities within the United States.

(World Network officially enters the United States! Visa financial card and Tinder verification program launched simultaneously)

As a digital identity credential that verifies personal existence through biometric authentication, World aims to address the challenge of distinguishing between real and fake humans in the realm of artificial intelligence and the internet through World ID. Currently, over 16 million users from more than 160 countries have completed identity registration and obtained a World ID.

Token Incentives for Iris Scanning? Multiple Countries Question Violations of Informed Consent Principles

However, the practice of exchanging sensitive information such as user irises for cryptocurrency rewards continues to face criticism from regulators in various countries, who suspect that its “token incentives for scanning” model infringes on users’ rights to informed consent. Specific concerns include:

• Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD): Requested the cessation of operations in January, threatening a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $8,851) for non-compliance.
• Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Komdigi): Suspended World’s business license in May, stating that it had not completed the registration process for digital asset service providers as required.
• Germany’s Bavaria Data Protection Authority (BayLDA): In December of last year, demanded compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and required the provision of an easy option for users to delete their personal biometric data.

(World Network’s biometric verification user base surpasses ten million! Digital identity and AI intersections still face a trust crisis)

Reportedly, other countries including South Korea, Hong Kong, Kenya, Spain, and Portugal are also conducting investigations or have implemented countermeasures.

When Great Visions Meet Real-World Risks

Even though the initial intention of the World project is to create a fair and universal digital identity system using “blockchain + biometrics,” allowing everyone to have a verifiable existence in the digital economy, this vision has sparked significant controversy when advanced through highly centralized operations involving sensitive personal data. Issues surrounding user rights, data security, and compliance with local regulations may pose significant obstacles to the global expansion of the World project.

Currently, World is actively engaging in investigative dialogues with multiple governments to clarify its business legitimacy and data processing issues, but whether it can regain trust in the future remains a long-term battle without a clear end in sight.

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