- World says its distribution of WLD follows applicable jurisdictional rules.
- 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 previously known as Worldcoin, is facing fresh regulatory scrutiny in Thailand.
This week authorities raided a location used for iris scans that is allegedly linked to the platform, underscoring growing global oversight of biometric-based crypto projects.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC), working with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), announced Friday that it had conducted a raid on a site connected to “WLD exchange services.”
Investigators suspect the operator violated digital asset laws by running an unlicensed exchange.
According to official information, 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 human identity, but the SEC’s recent action raises questions about whether those operations comply with Thailand’s licensing regime.
Thai authorities cite unlicensed digital asset activity
The SEC and CCIB said the raid uncovered evidence that the site offered exchange-related services without authorization.
A suspect was arrested and is expected to face charges under Thailand’s digital asset laws.
Authorities emphasized that any entity providing digital asset services—including token distribution or exchange functions—must obtain a license from the Ministry of Finance and register with the SEC.
World says it operates only in jurisdictions where its activities are permitted by law.
The company’s website notes that “the right to receive WLD tokens is geographically, age and otherwise restricted,” and it disclaims responsibility for trading of WLD on third-party centralized or decentralized exchanges.
Rising global pressure on biometric crypto models
These latest actions in Thailand add to a string of international probes into World, which launched in July 2023.
Regulators in Germany, Kenya, Brazil and Indonesia have previously raised concerns about data privacy and licensing.
In May, Indonesia’s Ministry of Digital Technology said it was investigating local World operators for possible registration breaches and suspicious activity.
The company voluntarily suspended verification services there while clarifying licensing requirements.
Data protection authorities in Germany warned that biometric information such as iris scans can pose serious risks if not properly anonymized or stored.
Last year Kenya temporarily halted local World operations, citing privacy and security concerns after thousands queued for iris scans in exchange for free tokens.
Brazilian officials have also requested greater transparency over how biometric data are collected and stored during the verification process.
Worldcoin faces ongoing compliance challenges
Since its launch, World has marketed itself as an ambitious attempt to build a global digital identity network that verifies human users in an era of artificial intelligence and deepfakes.
The WLD token was designed to reward individuals who register and to help create an ecosystem of verified human users.
Nevertheless, the project’s expansion strategy—particularly into emerging markets—has generated criticism.
Critics argue rapid deployment in regions with weaker regulatory oversight exposes vulnerable populations to privacy and legal risks.
Despite concerns, World continues to operate in more than 30 countries, relying on hundreds of orb devices worldwide.
The company states that operations are continually reviewed to ensure compliance with local laws, but recent raids indicate those reviews produce inconsistent results across jurisdictions.
Although the Thai SEC has not detailed the scope of alleged violations, the arrest signals a tougher enforcement stance amid the country’s broader efforts to strengthen oversight of crypto-related businesses.
This development may push World and similar biometric-based crypto projects to adopt stricter compliance standards and clearer legal frameworks before expanding further into Asia.