Worldcoin Secures $135 Million Investment from a16z and Bain Capital Crypto

Worldcoin, the iris-scanning identity verification project co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, has announced a significant investment of $135 million in its native token, WLD. This investment comes from prominent backers, including a16z and Bain Capital Crypto. The funding, disclosed via social media and an accompanying press release, marks a pivotal moment for the company. It is expanding its biometric identity verification operations in the U.S. and beyond.

World Foundation raised $135M from @a16z and @BainCapCrypto to accelerate scaling the real human network.

Funding was through a recent direct purchase of liquid, market-priced $WLD.

— World (@worldcoin) May 21, 2025

A Direct Purchase of WLD Tokens

Unlike traditional venture capital rounds, this investment involved a direct purchase of liquid, market-priced WLD tokens . These tokens were purchased rather than discounted or privately issued assets.

The firm stated:

The funding comes from two of World’s earliest backers and long-term holders — a16z and Bain Capital Crypto.
This wasn’t a venture round. It was a direct purchase of non-discounted liquid tokens.

The circulating supply of WLD has thus increased correspondingly.…

— World (@worldcoin) May 21, 2025

This approach highlights the growing trend of institutional investors acquiring cryptocurrencies directly on the open market, bypassing conventional fundraising structures.

Visible Impact on WLD’s Market Data

The investment appears to have had a noticeable impact on WLD’s market performance. Less than an hour before the public announcement, the token’s market cap experienced a sudden spike of $135 million. This aligns closely with the reported investment amount. While the company did not explicitly confirm the timing of the transaction, the correlation suggests that the funding deal played a role in this price movement.

The surge underscores the potential influence of institutional investments on cryptocurrency markets. This is especially true when high-profile firms like a16z and Bain Capital Crypto are involved.

A Much-Needed Win Amid Regulatory Challenges

This investment comes at a critical juncture for Worldcoin, which has faced regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. In December, German regulators raised concerns about the company’s data collection practices. More recently, both Kenya and Indonesia reached similar conclusions regarding the project’s compliance with local laws.

Despite these challenges, the infusion of capital from established investors could provide Worldcoin with the resources needed to address regulatory concerns. It could also help in expanding its operations. The company plans to use the funds to bolster its U.S. operations. Additionally, they will enhance its physical infrastructure and grow its user network.

Additionally, Worldcoin emphasized the broader possibilities of integrating AI technology into its platform. They hinted at future innovations that could further differentiate the project.

Broader Investor Participation

While a16z and Bain Capital Crypto were the primary contributors to the WLD token sale, other notable firms also participated in a separate funding round. Selini Capital, Mirana Ventures, and Arctic Digital joined forces in a traditional fundraising effort that did not involve WLD tokens.

These contributions reflect the growing interest in Worldcoin’s vision of creating a decentralized, biometric-based identity system. By combining cutting-edge technology with blockchain infrastructure, the project aims to address challenges related. These include digital identity, privacy, and financial inclusion.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to this major investment, Worldcoin is well-positioned to continue scaling its operations and increasing the prominence of the WLD token. While the company did not specify detailed plans for the $135 million, it highlighted priorities such as expanding its user base. Other priorities include enhancing physical infrastructure and exploring the intersection of AI and blockchain technology.

As Sam Altman’s brainchild, Worldcoin has consistently garnered attention for its ambitious goals and innovative approach. However, the project must navigate ongoing regulatory hurdles and public skepticism to achieve long-term success.