Malaysia probes Network School founded by ex-Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan over immigration violations

Published Jul 14, 09:43 AM UTC

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.