World Network Raises $135M in WLD Token Sale Amid Identity Verification Push

World Network, the identity protocol project backed by Sam Altman, has secured $135 million through a private sale of its WLD token. The funding round involved longstanding supporters Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Bain Capital Crypto, with tokens sold at market prices.

The capital will fuel global expansion of the network’s Orb-verified World ID system, designed to distinguish humans from AI. World Assets Ltd., a subsidiary of the World Foundation, announced the raise on May 21, framing it as critical infrastructure for the emerging identity arms race in digital spaces.

Market response was immediate—WLD surged 14% following the announcement. The project’s monetization strategy hinges on protocol-based sustainability rather than traditional venture models, with plans to scale its user base significantly in coming quarters.