Malaysia confirms valid travel documents for tech commune residents linked to former Coinbase exec

Malaysia’s Immigration Department has confirmed that residents of The Network School, a tech-focused co-living community founded by former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan, hold valid travel documents. The confirmation came on July 15, 2026, just one day after the Home Affairs Ministry launched a preliminary investigation into potential immigration violations at the compound.

From investigation to all-clear in a day

The investigation was triggered by social media claims that some Israeli nationals might be violating Malaysian immigration rules by entering the country using alternative passports. Malaysia does not recognize Israeli passports, which makes the allegation politically charged in a country that has historically taken strong stances on the matter.

On July 14, 2026, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry announced it was looking into the claims. By July 15, the Immigration Department had already completed its review and confirmed that everyone at The Network School was properly documented. No enforcement actions were taken. No residents were detained or deported. No further allegations have surfaced against the community or its members.

What is The Network School, exactly

The Network School was established in 2024 inside Forest City, a massive mixed-use development in Johor, the Malaysian state that sits right across the strait from Singapore. The development has struggled with occupancy since its construction.

Srinivasan, who served as Coinbase’s CTO and is also a former general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, has been one of the loudest advocates for what he calls “network states.” The concept, laid out in his 2022 book of the same name, envisions communities that form online around shared values and eventually manifest in the physical world, complete with governance structures, shared economies, and eventually diplomatic recognition.

The Network School aims to attract technologists, founders, and remote workers who want to live and build alongside like-minded people. No specific tokens or protocols are associated with The Network School itself.

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