Sam Altman-backed World Network secures $52.5 million in fresh funding to fight online AI deepfakes
World Network, a digital identity project backed by Sam Altman, has secured $52.5 million in new funding to expand its 'proof of human' technology. The platform aims to distinguish real individuals from AI-generated bots using specialized hardware called Orbs. This capital will support the integration of its identity verification services across enterprise platforms.
Why it matters
As AI-generated deepfakes and automated bots proliferate, digital identity verification systems are becoming critical infrastructure for maintaining trust in online interactions.
The capital injection, led by Pantera Capital alongside Bain Capital Crypto and Eightco Holdings, will be deployed to integrate identity technology across enterprise platforms and AI agents.
The World Network raised $135 million in its first funding round in May of last year in a private token sale of its world coin (WLD) token to venture capital giants a16z and Bain Capital Crypto. WLD is currently priced at roughly $0.37 with a market capitalization of just over $1.3 billion
"The need for Proof of Human is becoming acutely clear with the acceleration of AI development, and we see this in the influx of enterprise traction," said Cosmo Jiang, Pantera Capital General Partner, in a statement.
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