---
title: "Sam Altman's Eye-Scanning ID Startup World Just Raised $52.5 Million, Even as Nvidia Chip Shortages Slow Its Rollout"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/293814397.md"
description: "Sam Altman-backed World raised $52.5 million via a Worldcoin token sale led by Pantera Capital, with investors under a 12-month lockup. Proceeds support network expansion for its iris-scanning identity verification service. However, rollout is constrained by Nvidia chip shortages. Despite partnerships with Zoom and Tinder, adoption has lagged, leading to June layoffs. The funding follows Grayscale's ETF filing, which boosted WLD prices."
datetime: "2026-07-25T03:54:00.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/293814397.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293814397.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/293814397.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Sam Altman's Eye-Scanning ID Startup World Just Raised $52.5 Million, Even as Nvidia Chip Shortages Slow Its Rollout

**World**, the online identity-verification venture co-founded by **OpenAI** CEO **Sam Altman**, raised $52.5 million through a token sale of **Worldcoin** (CRYPTO: WLD) on Friday, drawing strategic investors under a 12-month lockup.

## Long-Term Bet From Crypto Heavyweights

According to the company, **Pantera Capital** led the round, joined by **Eightco Holdings** (NASDAQ:ORBS), **Bain Capital Crypto**, **Susquehanna Crypto** and **Selini Capital**. The lockup reflects sustained confidence in World’s growth, the company said. Proceeds go to the World Foundation, a Cayman Islands entity overseeing network expansion.

World, operated by Tools for Humanity and led by CEO **Alex Blania**, verifies users through Orb devices that scan their irises to issue a World ID. The digital identity is designed to distinguish real people from bots online.

The Orbs rely on **Nvidia** (NASDAQ:NVDA) chips, which Chief Business Officer **Trevor Traina** has called limited in supply despite rapid production efforts, constraining scale. 

## What You Should Know

In April, World partnered with **Zoom Communications** (NASDAQ:ZM), rolling out “Deep Face” verification to flag AI-generated meeting imposters, alongside a Tinder integration; still, adoption has lagged, prompting June layoffs. The token sale follows Grayscale Investments’ July filing for a spot Worldcoin ETF under ticker “GWLD,” which sent WLD up nearly 8% and lifted Eightco shares in premarket trading.

In April, World partnered with **Zoom Communications** (NASDAQ:ZM) to introduce its “Deep Face” verification feature, which is designed to detect AI-generated imposters in meetings. The company also launched an integration with **Tinder**. Adoption has been slower than expected, and Tools for Humanity conducted a round of layoffs in June.

The token sale follows **Grayscale Investments**‘ July filing for a spot Worldcoin ETF under ticker “GWLD.”

***Disclaimer:*** *This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.*

*Image via Shutterstock*

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---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**