Malaysia revokes Network School licence; founder moves to Kazakhstan
Malaysian authorities revoked the licence of Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School in Johor’s Forest City on July 21, 2026, following an immigration probe triggered by allegations that Israeli nationals attended the program using secondary passports. Malaysia, which bars Israeli passport holders, found licensing and premises-use violations but no travel document fraud. The next day, Srinivasan signed an MOU with Kazakhstan to establish a new campus. The incident has escalated into a diplomatic issue, with the U.S. summoning Malaysia’s ambassador.
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Booted from Malaysia, tech guru Balaji Srinivasan finds a new patron for his ‘nomad’ commune: Kazakhstan
Balaji Srinivasan, former Coinbase CTO and tech utopian, was forced to shut down his Network School in Malaysia after a social media video sparked a regulatory crackdown. Malaysian authorities revoked the school's business and advertising licenses on July 21, citing licensing and premises-use violations, following allegations that Israeli nationals attended the program. Malaysia does not recognize Israel and bars Israeli passport holders. The probe found no travel document violations, but the closure proceeded. The next day, Srinivasan signed an MOU with Kazakhstan to establish a new campus, promising expedited visas and streamlined redomiciliation for global techno-optimists. The saga highlights tensions over crypto-friendly tech utopianism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and China's real estate crash. The Network School, launched in 2024 as a 90-day pilot, offered co-living for technopreneurs at $1,500/month. The dispute has escalated into a diplomatic incident, with the U.S. summoning Malaysia's ambassador.
Malaysia revokes licence of Network School in Forest City
Malaysia has revoked the licence of Network School in Forest City following an immigration probe into its founder Balaji Srinivasan's 'digital nomad' community. The school faced allegations that it included participants from Israel, a country with which Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations. The decision was reported by The Business Times on July 21, 2026.
Malaysia revokes licence of Network School in Forest City
Malaysia has revoked the licence of Network School located in Forest City, following an immigration investigation into its founder Balaji Srinivasan's 'digital nomad' community. The school faced allegations that it included participants from Israel, a country with which Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations. The decision was reported by The Business Times on July 21, 2026.
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Malaysia launches probe into Srinivasan's Johor startup school
Malaysian authorities have initiated an immigration investigation into a technology startup school located in Johor's Forest City, a US$100 billion development by Chinese real estate developer Country Garden Holdings. The probe comes just months after prominent investor Balaji Srinivasan pitched the school, known as Network School. The investigation focuses on immigration-related matters concerning the institution, which is part of a broader effort to regulate foreign-run educational entities in Malaysia. The school aims to train technology entrepreneurs and has drawn attention due to its high-profile backer and location in the ambitious but struggling Forest City project. The outcome of the probe could impact the school's operations and Srinivasan's ventures in the region.
Malaysia launches immigration probe into Balaji Srinivasan's startup school in Johor
Malaysian authorities have launched an immigration investigation into Network School, a technology startup school founded by former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan, located in Johor's Forest City development. The Home Ministry announced on July 14, 2026, that it is conducting a thorough probe into individuals associated with the school who allegedly used secondary passports to enter Malaysia, potentially violating immigration rules. The investigation follows claims that Israeli nationals were participating in the school using second-country passports, which is significant because Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, bars Israeli citizens due to lack of diplomatic relations. The Johor state government had called for the probe. The school, launched in 2024, is part of Srinivasan's vision described in his book 'The Network State' about creating communities that could eventually gain diplomatic recognition. Malaysia's Digital Minister had visited the school in April 2026.