Indonesian authorities have suspended the operation of the World project – a biometric data scanning initiative led by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI – due to concerns over licensing. Could this be a major setback for the future of biometric recognition technology in crypto? Let's analyze in detail.


World Project Suspended: Serious Violations

Indonesian regulators have temporarily halted the operations of World – previously known as #Worldcoin – citing “serious” violations of local regulations. Alexander Sabar, Director of the Digital Space Monitoring Agency, stated that this decision stemmed from “suspicious activities” and aimed to “prevent potential risks to the community.” According to the announcement, the subsidiary PT Terang Bulan Abadi, which operates World in Indonesia, has not registered as an Electronic System Organizer (PSE) and lacks the Electronic System Organizer Registration Certificate (TDPSE) as required by law. Instead, World is using the TDPSE of another legal entity, PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara. Both companies have been summoned to clarify the violations.


Sabar emphasized: “Non-compliance with registration obligations and the use of another legal identity to provide digital services is a serious violation. We urge the public to help maintain a safe and reliable digital space.”


Worldcoin: Controversial Eye-Scanning Technology

World, led by Sam Altman, uses Orb devices to scan users' biometric data (iris), in exchange for token $WLD . The project aims to create World ID – proving human identity in the age of AI – and has been deployed globally. However, this is not the first time World has faced obstacles. In December 2024, Germany required World to comply with data deletion regulations under GDPR. The following month, Brazil banned operations, believing that WLD payments could negatively affect user behavior. In Kenya, the project was banned for nearly a year starting in 2023, with politicians labeling World as a “criminal gang,” before resuming operations in June 2024.


Expansion in the U.S. Amidst a Storm of Opposition

Although suspended in #Indonesia – a market of 280 million people – World is expanding in the U.S. This week, the project launched in 6 major cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco, allowing Americans to receive WLD tokens for the first time. World is also integrating with Match Group (owner of Tinder), prediction market Kalshi, Visa cards, and applications using World ID, indicating ambitious goals despite facing opposition.


Impact and Prospects

The incident in Indonesia raises many questions:



  • Legal challenges: This suspension reflects a trend of countries like Germany, Brazil, and Kenya expressing concerns over biometric data privacy. This could slow down World’s development, especially as Indonesia builds a strict legal framework for crypto.


  • Opportunities in the U.S.: Launching in 6 U.S. cities shows that World still has potential, especially as the crypto market is recovering.


  • Community sentiment: Sabar's call for public participation in monitoring indicates that social pressure could shape World’s future.



Conclusion: Will World Weather the Storm?

Indonesia has temporarily suspended World’s eye-scanning project #SamAltman due to licensing violations and concerns over biometric data, marking a new challenge following bans from Germany, Brazil, and Kenya. Nevertheless, the expansion in the U.S. and integration with major platforms like Tinder and Visa shows that World is not easily subdued. Will the project overcome legal barriers and become the standard for digital identification? Investors should closely monitor to assess the long-term impact.


Risk warning: Crypto investment carries high risks due to price volatility and legal uncertainties. Please consider carefully before participating.