World, the digital identity startup co-founded by OpenAI's Sam Altman, has secured $52.5 million through a token sale to strategic investors. The round included a 12-month lockup, signaling a long-term approach to the project's growth and utility.
The proceeds will support the World Foundation, the Cayman Islands-based entity created to guide the expansion of the network. According to the company, the sale drew participation from Pantera Capital, Eightco Holdings, Bain Capital Crypto, Susquehanna Crypto, and Selini Capital.
Operated by Tools for Humanity in San Francisco and led by CEO Alex Blania, World is built around online verification and its "proof of human" tools. Its core idea is to help distinguish real people from automated accounts as AI-driven content becomes more common across digital platforms.
To receive the highest level of verification, users scan their eyes with an Orb, a metallic device that converts an iris into a cryptographic identifier. The system is designed to issue World ID, an anonymous digital marker that confirms a user is human without revealing personal identity.
Originally launched as Worldcoin, the project later rebranded as World while continuing to develop its app, token, and verification ecosystem. With new partnerships and fresh capital, the company is positioning its identity layer for broader adoption. The development could help shape a future where trust and human verification become core features of the internet.
