Divine Research Leverages USDC & Iris-Scanning Tech to Issue 30K Unsecured Crypto Loans
San Francisco crypto lender Divine Research is transforming microfinance by distributing unsecured loans using iris-scanning verification via Worldcoin's World ID. Since December, the platform has issued 30,000 short-term loans—primarily in USDC—to underserved populations in developing nations.
Borrowers authenticate through Sam Altman's World ID biometric system to mitigate fraud. Despite a 40% default rate on initial loans, Divine charges 20%-30% interest, banking on blockchain's ability to expand credit access.
Currently piloted in inflation-stricken Argentina, the program serves unbanked teachers, vendors, and others. This high-risk, high-reward model highlights crypto's disruptive potential in alternative finance.