World Foundation raised an initial $52.5 million through a sale of locked WLD tokens led by Pantera Capital, earmarking the money to expand its World ID network. The nonprofit says demand for tools that separate real people from AI agents is rising as automated content spreads online.
World Foundation raised an initial $52.5 million through a sale of locked WLD tokens to strategic investors, with Pantera Capital leading the round. The proceeds will expand World ID, its system built to distinguish people from AI agents.
Who backed the round
The round also drew Bain Capital Crypto, Eightco Holdings, Selini Capital and Susquehanna Crypto, according to a Friday announcement. Every WLD token sold carries a 12-month lockup. crypto.news reported that the foundation described the deal as the first close of the sale and did not confirm whether further rounds are planned.
What the money buys
World ID generates a digital credential after users complete biometric verification at a World Orb device. The foundation said AI-generated content and autonomous agents are increasing demand for systems that verify whether an online user is a real person.
crypto.news reported that more than 39 million people have joined World Network. Over 18 million have completed Orb verification, and the network has processed more than 475 million World ID proofs.
Adoption push and scrutiny
The financing extends a $135 million WLD sale in May led by Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto. crypto.news said the WLD altcoin then climbed roughly 10% in a day after that announcement.
World was conceived by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Max Novendstern and Tools for Humanity CEO Alex Blania. Yet the project has faced regulatory scrutiny in several jurisdictions over its biometric verification system. crypto.news reported that a Grayscale filing for a spot Worldcoin ETF disclosed the 100 largest wallets controlled about 90% of WLD’s circulating supply at the time of filing.
Sources: Cointelegraph, crypto.news
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