- World says its WLD distribution complies with jurisdictional laws.
- Indonesia, Germany, Kenya and Brazil have also investigated the project.
- Global regulators are tightening oversight of biometric crypto data.
World, the digital identity project led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and formerly known as Worldcoin, has encountered fresh regulatory challenges in Thailand.
Authorities this week carried out a raid on an iris-scanning site alleged to be connected to the platform, underscoring growing international scrutiny of crypto projects that rely on biometric data.
The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Friday that it raided a site related to “WLD exchange services.”
Investigators suspect the operator violated digital asset laws by running an unlicensed exchange.
According to official records, World operates 102 “orb” locations in Thailand where users scan their irises to obtain a World ID in exchange for WLD, the project’s native token.
Each verified participant receives WLD as a reward for confirming their identity, but the SEC’s recent intervention raises questions about whether these operations comply with Thailand’s licensing framework.
Thai authorities crack down on unlicensed digital asset activity
The SEC and the Criminal Court Internet Bureau (CCIB) said the raid uncovered evidence that the site provided exchange-related services without authorization.
The suspect has been detained and is expected to face charges under Thailand’s digital asset regulations.
Authorities stressed that any provider offering services for digital assets — including token distribution or swap functions — must obtain a license from the finance ministry and register with the SEC.
World says it only operates in jurisdictions where its activities are legally permitted.
On the company website, World states that “eligibility for WLD tokens is restricted by geographic location, age and other factors,” and it disclaims responsibility for WLD trading on third-party centralized or decentralized exchanges.
Pressure rises on biometric crypto models worldwide
This latest enforcement action in Thailand adds to a series of global probes into the World project since its July 2023 launch.
Regulators in Germany, Kenya, Brazil and Indonesia have previously expressed concerns about privacy and licensing.
In May, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics announced an investigation into local World operators over possible registration violations and suspicious activities.
The company voluntarily suspended verification services there while clarifying licensing requirements.
German data protection authorities have warned that biometric data such as iris scans can pose serious risks if not properly anonymized or stored.
Kenya temporarily halted World’s local operations last year, citing privacy and security concerns after thousands queued to scan their irises in exchange for free tokens.
Brazilian authorities have also requested greater transparency about how biometric data are collected and retained during World’s verification process.
Worldcoin faces ongoing compliance challenges
Since its launch, World has cast itself as an ambitious effort to build a global digital identity network that can verify human users in the era of AI and deepfakes.
The WLD token is designed to reward participants and help create an ecosystem of verified human users.
However, the project’s expansion strategy — especially in emerging markets — has raised alarms.
Critics argue that rapid onboarding in places with weaker regulatory oversight can expose vulnerable populations to privacy and legal risks.
Despite these concerns, World continues to operate in more than 30 countries and relies on hundreds of orb devices worldwide.
Its website states that operations are continually reviewed to ensure compliance with local laws, although recent raids suggest this process remains inconsistent across jurisdictions.
While the Thai SEC has not detailed the full scope of the alleged violations, the detention signals a firmer enforcement stance as the country tightens oversight of crypto-related businesses.
The development may force World and similar biometric crypto initiatives to adopt stricter compliance standards and clearer legal frameworks before expanding further across Asia.