Tools for Humanity

Tools for Humanity is a technology company founded in 2019 by Sam Altman and Alex Blania that serves as the primary developer of the World Network, formerly known as Worldcoin. Headquartered in San Francisco and Munich, the company employs over 500 scientists, engineers, and other professionals building biometric identity verification and financial infrastructure for the age of artificial intelligence. The company's flagship products include World ID, an open-source digital identity protocol that uses iris-scanning technology through proprietary Orb devices to verify unique human identity, the World App, a self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet with over 33 million users as of September 2025, and the WLD cryptocurrency token, a Layer 2 Ethereum-based digital asset. Users verify their identity by having their irises scanned by an Orb device, receiving a unique digital identifier and WLD tokens as compensation. The company has raised over 250 million dollars from venture capital firms including Andreessen Horowitz and Blockchain Capital. Tools for Humanity operates globally with active expansion in Latin America, including Mexico where World ID verification services are available in multiple states. The project aims to distinguish humans from AI-generated entities online and provide financial inclusion to populations lacking digital identity. The company has faced regulatory scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions, with cease and desist orders issued in the Philippines and temporary suspensions in Indonesia over data privacy concerns. Operations were also investigated in France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal regarding GDPR compliance. Despite regulatory challenges in Europe, the company continues expanding in Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets. While Tools for Humanity is a technology infrastructure company with financial network components, it is not primarily a fintech company serving the Mexican market and operates internationally from non-Mexican headquarters.