Balaji’s Network School Eyes Kazakhstan as Ex-Binance Executive Plans Malaysia Tech Hub

Founded in Forest City, Johor, in 2024 by U.S. investor and former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan, Network School combines co-living, coworking, technology education and startup building for a globally mobile membership. The project has become a test of Malaysia’s effort to attract technology talent and capital while enforcing local licensing and immigration rules. Scrutiny intensified after social-media allegations involving Israeli participants, though immigration officials said documents examined during their inspections were valid.

Iskandar Puteri City Council revoked Network School’s business licence on July 21 after inspections on July 12, 14, 19 and 20, ordering all Forest City operations to cease from July 22. Officials cited an unlicensed premises, activities outside approved uses and missing advertising approvals. Hours later, Srinivasan said Network School had signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan for a new campus offering expedited visas and streamlined redomiciliation. He says the group invested more than 100 million ringgit in Malaysia and paused a planned 500 million-ringgit expansion.

Former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan launched Network School in Forest City, Johor, Malaysia, in September 2024, turning his “network state” concept into a co-living experiment. The program combines Bitcoin, education, entrepreneurship, fitness and governance. More than 4,000 people applied for its first cohort, with 128 admitted, making it an important test of whether a technology community can move from online interaction to a physical setting.

Lorraine moved into Network School for a month on March 1, 2026. An account published on April 10 said a shared room cost about $1,500 a month and a private room about $3,000, with accommodation and three meals included. A Fellowship of up to $100,000 was also available. The community schedules three training sessions each day and uses Luma to let residents co-create courses as it continues testing its “Learn, Burn, Earn, Fun” model.