World Network Raises $135M for Orb Expansion in the U.S.

Tools for Humanity, the company behind the World Network, has secured $135 million in funding through a private sale of its native token WLD. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto, early backers of the project.

Token Sale and Investment Breakdown

In the latest private round, Tools for Humanity sold $135 million worth of WLD tokens at market rates to existing backers. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto acquired the tokens directly from the company, signaling strong conviction in the protocol’s long-term potential.

The company plans to use the funds to expand its Orb scanner network in key U.S. cities and further develop the global infrastructure for World ID, the project’s digital identity layer. 

Previously, in May 2023, Tools for Humanity raised $115 million in a round led by Blockchain Capital with participation from a16z Crypto and Distributed Global. With the new funding, World is accelerating its roadmap while maintaining the backing of its core investors.

AI is rapidly evolving. The tools to distinguish humans from machines should scale at a similar pace to help prepare humanity for the [Artificial General Intelligence] era,

the company noted in a press release.

Network Expansion and Market Response

To date, over 26 million people have interacted with the World Network, and 12.5 million users have created a verified World ID. Currently, the project is live in six U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. 

Users can scan their irises using the Orb device, earn WLD tokens as rewards and verify their identity for use in online apps. Tools for Humanity aims to expand Orb access to over 180 million Americans by year-end, reaching more than half of the U.S. population.

Following the funding announcement, the price of WLD surged more than 15% in 24 hours, climbing to $1.27 at the time of writing. As a result, the token’s market capitalization reached nearly $1.93 billion.

Related: Worldcoin Launches Orb Mini, But Critics Question Data Safety

Regulatory Challenges and Risks

Worldcoin continues to face mounting regulatory challenges in several jurisdictions. 

• In January, Brazil’s data protection agency (ANPD) banned the project’s operations over concerns that users may not fully grasp the implications of submitting their biometric data. The ruling imposes daily fines for noncompliance.
• On May 4, Indonesia’s Komdigi suspended the company’s license, citing alleged violations of digital asset operator registration requirements. 
• Similarly, in Germany, BayLDA demanded in December 2024 that the project provide users with the ability to delete their biometric information.

Critics have raised concerns that token-based incentives may pressure individuals into surrendering sensitive data without a clear understanding of the long-term consequences. The company’s team is actively working with regulators to enhance public trust in the protocol.

Related: Kenyan Court Orders World Foundation to Delete Biometric Data