Mrs. Pornanong Budsaratragoon, SEC Secretary-General, stated that the SEC has continuously monitored and examined facts related to the Worldcoin (WLD) and iris‑scanning activities, particularly the provision of iris‑scanning services to receive WLD tokens, as well as activities that may constitute the operation of digital asset businesses without license under the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018) (the Emergency Decree). The SEC has also coordinated with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), to expedite further in‑depth examinations.

In October 2025, the SEC jointly with the CCIB conducted a raid on WLD exchange services at the iris scanning location, and arrested suspects whose actions may constitute operating digital asset business without license. The SEC also provided information to support the inquiry officials’ operations. Subsequently, on 9 January 2026, the SEC filed criminal complaints with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) against five individuals for allegedly operating a digital asset dealing business without a license, in violation of the Emergency Decree.

In safeguarding the public and investors, once the Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) issued an order on 24 November 2025 requiring service providers and related persons to suspend or refrain from collecting iris data and to delete or destroy such personal data immediately to prevent misuse, the SEC accordingly instructed digital asset business operators providing WLD services to clearly communicate with their clients through various channels and to display warnings related to WLD tokens on their platforms. The SEC also emphasized that the operators must prioritize their clients’ interests and the impacts on them.

The SEC is currently examining the facts and relevant information to determine whether the services provided by World App and the Mini App constitute operating a digital asset business without license. If any violations are identified, the SEC will proceed in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. As for the conclusion on whether the iris‑scanning activity for receiving WLD tokens complies with the laws under the SEC’s supervision, the matter involves additional facts, and the SEC is in the process of conducting further examinations.

This progress underscores the SEC’s and the relevant agencies’ close monitoring of the situation and their decisive enforcement actions when violations occur, aimed at ensuring comprehensive protection for investors and the public,” SEC Secretary‑General said.

The SEC urges investors and the public to exercise caution when using services provided by unlicensed digital asset business operators under Thai laws. Users of such services will not be entitled to legal protection and may be exposed to risks of scams or potential involvement in money laundering activities. A list of licensed business operators is available on the SEC website at www.sec.or.th and via the SEC Check First application, while a list of unauthorized individuals outside the SEC supervision is available on the Investor Alert page on the SEC website.