World Raises $135 Million to Scale Orb-Verified Identity Network

The World Foundation has secured $135 million through a WLD token sale to backers Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Bain Capital Crypto, and others. The funds aim to accelerate the expansion of its biometric identity network and meet surging global demand for Orb-verified World IDs.

A Push Toward Global Identity Verification

The raise was facilitated by World Assets, Ltd., a subsidiary of the World Foundation, which sold 117 million WLD tokens at market prices. Alongside a16z and Bain, other participants in the previously disclosed round include Selini Capital, Mirana Ventures, and Arctic Digital.

The tokens will help fund infrastructure growth for World’s identity ecosystem, particularly the manufacturing and deployment of its Orb biometric devices — tools that verify individuals through iris scanning to confirm they’re unique, real humans.

Over 26 million people across 160 countries have signed up for the World network, with more than 12.5 million having completed Orb verification. These verified users now hold World IDs — digital credentials that distinguish them from bots and AI agents.

Scaling Amid AI’s Rise

World’s mission focuses on enabling digital identity solutions that can keep pace with the acceleration of artificial intelligence. The team behind the project says they envision a world where human uniqueness can be verified easily — without compromising privacy.

The new funding will support on-the-ground expansion across the United States and other international markets. Builders say the investment will also go toward improving the Orb design, enhancing user experience, and enabling a stronger on-ramp for millions of new participants.

The broader vision is to create a self-sustaining protocol. Eventually, the Foundation expects fees and usage from the World network to generate enough revenue to fund operations and development — without relying on continued token sales.

Privacy and Public Scrutiny

While adoption numbers are rising, the project’s use of biometrics has sparked intense debate.

Worldcoin, the underlying protocol, made headlines in 2024 for its ambitious use of iris scans and facial recognition. But the project has faced legal challenges and regulatory pushback in multiple countries due to concerns over data security, user consent, and privacy risks.

Critics have warned of surveillance implications. Supporters argue it’s a vital safeguard against AI impersonation and a scalable foundation for Web3 identity.

What It Means For You [NFA]

If you hold WLD or are tracking the project, this latest raise means more growth — and potentially more token unlocks. While the price of WLD rose 7% following the announcement and is up 50% over the past month, rising circulating supply from investor sales could weigh on price in the short term.

For the broader crypto market, this is another sign that digital identity is moving from theory to implementation — whether the world is ready for biometric verification or not.