Sam Altman’s World Network Secures $135M to Scale Biometric ID Revolution

May 23, 2025 World Network, the blockchain-based digital identity project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has raised $135 million through a private sale of its WLD cryptocurrency to venture capital giants Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto.

The funds, secured at market prices, will fuel the expansion of the world’s iris-scanning Orb devices across the United States and globally, with a target of deploying 7,500 Orbs by year-end 2025.

The project, which verifies human identity through biometric data to create World IDs, has already enrolled over 26 million users worldwide, with 12.5 million holding verified IDs.

Despite a 14% surge in WLD token value post-announcement, regulatory challenges in countries like Brazil and Indonesia highlight ongoing privacy concerns, casting a shadow over the world's ambitious mission to authenticate humanity in the AI era.

Orb Technology and Identity Verification

At the core of World Network’s ecosystem is the Orb, a spherical biometric device that scans users’ irises to generate unique World IDs, ensuring “proof of personhood” without storing personal data.

The newly introduced Orb Mini, powered by Nvidia hardware, is five times more robust than its predecessor and supports the company’s goal of scaling to 7,500 devices across U.S. cities like Atlanta, Miami, and San Francisco by December 2025.

World also plans to launch an on-demand Orb delivery service, akin to food delivery apps, and integrate NFC-enabled passport verification for broader accessibility.

The system, which uses zero-knowledge proofs to protect privacy, has verified 12.5 million users across 160 jurisdictions, with recent U.S. rollouts representing a major accomplishment after years of regulatory delays.

Did You Know?
World Network’s Orb devices, which verify human identity through iris scans, process over 1,000 verifications daily in high-traffic locations, contributing to its 26 million registered users as of May 2025.

WLD Token Performance and Market Dynamics

The WLD token, integral to World Network’s ecosystem, saw a 14% price increase to $1.18 following the funding announcement, with a 24-hour trading volume exceeding $350 million.

However, the token remains 90% below its March 2024 peak of $11.82, reflecting the volatility typical of crypto markets. Technical indicators suggest resistance at $1.20-$1.22, with selling pressure limiting upward momentum.

Forecasts for the token's price in 2025 range from $1.10 to $5.89, and speculative projections suggest it could reach $35.60 by 2030, although regulatory uncertainties temper these estimates.

The world’s integration with platforms like Tinder in Japan for age verification and Razer for gaming IDs signals growing adoption, but the token’s limited utility outside identity verification remains a concern for investors.

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Regulatory Challenges and Privacy Concerns

World Network’s biometric approach has sparked controversy, with bans in Brazil, Indonesia, and Kenya over data privacy issues. Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority cited violations of informed consent due to cryptocurrency incentives, imposing daily fines of $8,851 for non-compliance.

In Indonesia, authorities suspended the world’s license for unregistered digital asset operations, while Germany’s regulators mandated easier data deletion options.

Despite these challenges, World prioritizes its privacy-preserving design, employing zero-knowledge proofs and local data processing to prevent the storage of iris images.

The project’s U.S. expansion, including a Visa-compatible World Card for crypto transactions, reflects confidence in navigating regulatory landscapes, bolstered by partnerships with firms like Okta and potential collaborations with OpenAI and PayPal.

Strategic Expansion and Investor Confidence

The $135 million token sale, supplemented by investments from Selini Capital, Mirana Ventures, and Arctic Digital, underscores strong institutional backing for World Network’s vision of a global, decentralized identity system.

Unlike traditional venture rounds, the sale of non-discounted WLD tokens increased the circulating supply to 1.51 billion, aligning with the world’s goal of becoming a self-sustaining protocol through fees.

With a market cap of $1.8 billion but a valuation of $3 billion based on funding, World Network is positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven identity solutions.

Recent reports highlight plans to integrate World IDs into financial services, social media, and governance, with a focus on distinguishing humans from bots in an AI-dominated digital landscape.