Local operating certification of Sam Altman-led crypto project Worldcoin and WorldID services has been frozen by Indonesian authorities. The country’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, also known as Komdigi, cited legal violations as a reason behind the temporary suspension of the platform.
Findings of preliminary investigations resulted in Komdigi summoning PT. Sandina Abadi Nusantara and PT. Terang Bulan Abadi in the future. These are two local companies found to be operating the Worldcoin project in the Indonesian market.
Worldcoin services used another company’s certification
World Network operated its services by using another company’s registrations, which is PT. Sandina Abadi Nusantara, the watchdog alleged. This move highlights the potential violations threatening transparency in digital assets.
Furthermore, the officials claimed that PT. Terang Bulan Abad, the company handling Worldcoin’s operations in Indonesia, doesn’t register as an Electronic System Operator (PSE) as required by the country’s financial obligations. Not only that, the firm also lacks TDPSE certification that allows digital asset service providers to legally execute their operations within the jurisdiction.
Speaking on the matter, Indonesia’s Director of Digital Space Oversight, Alexander Sabar, added that community reports on the project’s suspicious activities pushed the authority to scrutinize the firm. Resulting in the temporary ban on the World Coin Network and Services, the move intended to protect public safety and prevent financial losses, he said
Alexander Sabar further called these violations “very serious” and advised the community to report such shady activities immediately via the authority’s official public complaint channel.
Komdigi affirmed in its official press release that it will summon involved entities to clarify the allegations and violations as per Regulation No. 71 of 2019 and No. 10 of 2021, designed for electronic systems and transactions.
Indonesia establishing transparent frameworks
Co-founded by OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, the blockchain project World (previously known as Worldcoin) aims to create a global digital identity system. It uses Orb devices to detect users’ irises and produce unique biometric identifiers. In return, it rewards users with Worldcoin (WLD) for compensation.
On the other side, Indonesian authorities have been restructuring their legal frameworks focused on blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Introduced in 2022, the Personal Data Protection (PDP) law is also part of the lawmakers’ efforts to establish a transparent digital assets ecosystem. This rule sets strict standards for the companies that collect users’ personal information and biometrics.
