SAM ALTMAN’S WORLD RAISES $135M FROM A16Z AND BAIN

- Sam Altman’s World Raises $135M from a16z and Bain Capital Crypto to Scale Biometric ID Network.

KEY DETAILS:

- World, the digital identity project led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, secured fresh funding from heavyweight venture firms Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto.

- The capital injection aims to boost World’s iris-scanning device rollout across the U.S. and expand its footprint globally.

- Since launching, World has issued over 12.5 million World IDs in more than 160 jurisdictions.

- According to reports, these IDs are verified through World’s signature “Orb” — a bowling ball-sized device that scans users’ irises to prove “personhood.”

- Biometric data forms the core of World’s identity system, designed to offer a new form of digital verification as artificial general intelligence (AGI) advances.

- The new funds come as World opens its U.S. market, allowing users to scan their irises for the first time stateside and access the app’s ecosystem.

- Users receive WLD tokens via airdrops, which fuel activity within World’s miniapps.

- World’s team confirmed in a recent blog that the token sale was part of a longer-term vision to prepare humanity for artificial intelligence.

- The Foundation also hinted at continuing token sales to institutional backers to support growth.