The World Foundation, steward of Sam Altman's World, raised $52.5 million in a token sale announced Friday to expand its World ID proof-of-human verification network. Pantera Capital led the sale, which drew participation from Bain Capital Crypto, Nasdaq-listed Eightco Holdings, Selini Capital, and Susquehanna Crypto, with all WLD tokens sold subject to a 12-month lockup period. The nonprofit cited the growing need to verify human identity as AI agents increasingly populate the internet. World operates a biometric identification system that uses iris-scanning Orb devices to generate unique IDs stored on users' phones, enabling individuals to prove they are human without revealing personal identity. The project has faced regulatory scrutiny over biometric data handling in multiple jurisdictions while attracting institutional interest, including Grayscale's recent filing for the first U.S. ETF tied to the WLD token this week.
Pantera Capital Leads $52.5M Token Sale with 12-Month Lockup
Pantera Capital led the World Foundation's $52.5 million token sale, with participation from Bain Capital Crypto, Nasdaq-listed Eightco Holdings, Selini Capital, and Susquehanna Crypto. All WLD tokens sold in the transaction are locked for 12 months. Pantera general partner Cosmo Jiang stated the "need for Proof of Human is becoming acutely clear" as AI development accelerates. The funds will support bringing World ID to organizations, consumers, and their AI agents, according to the Foundation.
World ID Integrates with Zoom, Docusign, and Tinder via 4.0 Release
World ID allows individuals to prove they are unique humans without revealing their identity through a one-time iris scan at a spherical device called the Orb, which generates an ID stored on their phone. The technology is being integrated this year with platforms including Zoom, Docusign, Okta, Vercel, and Tinder, the Foundation said. World released World ID 4.0, an enterprise-ready version that lets outside developers build their own credentials into the system. The project was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and rebranded from Worldcoin in 2024 to build a global proof-of-personhood system.
World Reports 39 Million Users and 18 Million Orb Verifications
The raise coincides with the project's third anniversary. More than 39 million people have joined the network, 18 million have been verified by an Orb, and World has processed 475 million ID proofs, the Foundation said.
Regulators in Hong Kong, Kenya, and South Korea Take Action Against World
World's iris-scanning model has drawn regulatory pushback across multiple countries over its handling of biometric data. Hong Kong ordered it to cease operations in 2024. A Kenyan court ordered it to delete users' biometric data. Brazil banned it from paying people for iris scans. Spain moved to halt its data collection. South Korea fined the project $830,000 for privacy violations.
Eightco Builds Corporate WLD Treasury as Grayscale Files for ETF
Eightco, one of Friday's investors, built the first corporate WLD treasury last year. Grayscale this week filed for the first U.S. ETF tied to the token.
FAQ
What did the World Foundation raise on Friday?
The World Foundation raised $52.5 million in a token sale led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Bain Capital Crypto, Eightco Holdings, Selini Capital, and Susquehanna Crypto. All WLD tokens sold are locked for 12 months.
How many people have been verified by World's Orb device?
World reported that 18 million people have been verified in person via its iris-scanning Orb device, with more than 39 million people joining the network and 475 million ID proofs processed.
What regulatory actions has World faced?
Hong Kong ordered World to cease operations in 2024, a Kenyan court ordered it to delete users' biometric data, Brazil banned it from paying people for iris scans, Spain moved to halt its data collection, and South Korea fined the project $830,000 for privacy violations.
