The Crisis We're Solving
2.5 billion people worldwide pay 300-800% interest because they have no other choice. Starting in the Philippines and Argentina.
Maria, 22
"I just need $3 for my daughters' dinner, but the loan shark charges $0.60 per day."
Carlos, 32 (Argentina)
"Living in Villa 31, I need $4 for groceries but traditional banks won't serve my neighborhood."
James, 35
"My child needs medicine that costs $4, but I'm excluded from all credit."
Market Size & Impact
Massive underserved market with clear opportunity for disruption
The Problem
Existing Loan Solutions Fail
Traditional loan solutions give cash to people, leading to misuse and high default rates.
Loan Sharks Dominate
800%+ interest rates trap families in debt cycles, preventing economic mobility.
No Credit Building
Informal lending provides no path to formal financial services.
Our Solution
Direct Merchant Payment
"I give money to merchants, not people" - prevents misuse and ensures legitimate purchases.
Fair Interest Rates
0% during pilot phase vs 800% from loan sharks - gathering real-world data to set sustainable rates later.
Progressive Credit Building
Start at $2, build to $5. Create pathway to formal financial services.
Our Two Pilot Markets
Philippines and Argentina offer perfect conditions for nano-credit success
🇵🇭 Philippines
Perfect storm of conditions for nano-credit success
Market Conditions
- • 1.3M sari-sari stores (corner shops)
- • 34.3M unbanked adults
- • High mobile penetration (77%+)
- • "Utang" culture (debt is normal)
- • "We make five, pay six" acceptance
Strategic Advantages
- • English-speaking population
- • Strong remittance economy (crypto-ready)
- • Government support for financial inclusion
- • Strategic diplomatic partnerships
- • Strong financial partnerships and VC network
🇦🇷 Argentina
Leading crypto adoption with established Worldcoin presence
Market Conditions
- • 47.6M population, 3rd largest economy in LATAM
- • 1.2M people in villas miseria (slums) in Buenos Aires
- • 19.8% crypto adoption (highest in LATAM)
- • 31.7% poverty rate creating demand for micro-credit
- • $91B in crypto transactions (2023-2024)
Worldcoin Infrastructure
- • 24 active Orb locations across major cities
- • 500,000+ verified users (1% of population)
- • 1M+ monthly active World App users
- • Plans for 50+ additional locations
- • Supportive regulatory environment
Institutional Backing
Supported by leading institutions and successfully deployed
German Government Support
Mercator Fellowship with official government letter of recommendation
World Chain Grant
Successfully deployed on World Chain Mainnet
Strategic Partnerships
High-level diplomatic and institutional advisory support