- World says its distribution of WLD follows the rules of each jurisdiction.
- 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 run into fresh regulatory trouble in Thailand.
Authorities this week raided an iris-scanning site reportedly linked to the platform, highlighting growing international scrutiny of biometric-based crypto projects.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), working with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), announced on Friday that it had carried out a raid on a site connected to “WLD exchange services.”
Investigators suspect the operator may have breached digital asset laws by running an unlicensed exchange.
According to official data, 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 proving their human identity, but the SEC action raises questions about whether those operations comply with Thailand’s licensing framework.
Thai authorities cite unlicensed digital asset activity
The SEC and CCIB said the raid uncovered evidence the site was offering exchange-related services without authorization.
A suspect was detained and is expected to face charges under Thailand’s digital asset regulations.
Authorities emphasized that any entity offering digital asset services— including token distribution or exchange functions—must obtain licensing from the Ministry of Finance and register with the SEC.
World states it operates only in jurisdictions where its activities are legally permitted.
The company’s website explains that “eligibility for WLD tokens is limited by geography, age and other factors,” and it disclaims responsibility for trading of WLD on third-party centralized or decentralized exchanges.
Rising global pressure on biometric crypto models
The latest intervention in Thailand adds to a series of international probes into the World project that began in July 2023.
Regulators in Germany, Kenya, Brazil and Indonesia have previously raised concerns about data protection and licensing.
In May, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information said it was investigating local World operators for possible registration violations and suspicious activity.
The company voluntarily paused its verification services there while clarifying licensing requirements.
In Germany, data protection authorities warned that biometric information such as iris scans can pose serious risks if not properly anonymized and stored.
Kenya temporarily suspended local World operations last year amid privacy and security concerns after thousands queued for iris scans in return for free tokens.
Brazilian officials have also requested greater transparency about how biometric data is collected and stored during the World verification process.
Worldcoin faces ongoing compliance challenges
Since its launch, World has promoted itself as an ambitious attempt to build a global digital identity network that can verify human users in an era of artificial intelligence and deepfakes.
The WLD token was designed to reward people who opt into the system and to help build an ecosystem of verified human users.
However, the project’s expansion strategy—particularly in developing markets—has raised alarm.
Critics argue the rapid rollout in jurisdictions with weaker regulatory oversight exposes vulnerable populations to privacy risks and legal uncertainty.
Despite these concerns, World continues to operate in more than 30 countries and relies on hundreds of orb devices worldwide.
Its website indicates operations are subject to ongoing reviews to ensure compliance with local laws, although recent raids suggest enforcement and oversight remain inconsistent across jurisdictions.
While the Thai SEC did not detail the full scope of the suspected violations, the arrest signals a firmer enforcement stance amid Thailand’s broader effort to tighten supervision of crypto-related businesses.
This development could push World and similar biometric-based crypto projects to adopt stricter compliance standards and clearer legal frameworks before pursuing further expansion in Asia.