> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hifi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> A User represents an individual or business on the HIFI platform. Users are the foundation of all transaction activity - every onramp, offramp, and transfer is associated with a user.

## User Types

HIFI supports two types of users:

| Type           | Description      |
| :------------- | :--------------- |
| **Individual** | A natural person |
| **Business**   | A legal entity   |

Different types of users require different sets of compliance information in order to be onboarded to the platform and access fiat functionality and other regulated financial activities. The user type may also influence the products and corridors a user can access.

## User Creation

Users are created in two steps:

1. **Generate Terms of Service link** - User must review and accept HIFI's [Terms of Service](/v3/core/users/terms-of-service)
2. **Create user** – Once terms are accepted, create the user with the accepted terms of service ID and the user type.

<Info>
  User's information can be updated via PATCH `/v3/users/:user_id/compliance/profile`
</Info>

**Create a user:**

```shellscript theme={null}
curl -X POST "https://sandbox.hifi.com/v3/users" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "type": "INDIVIDUAL",
    "signedAgreementId": "8cb49537-bcf9-41b1-8d8c-c9c200d7341b",
    "requestId": "705f1f8b-a080-467c-b683-174eca409928"
  }'
```

**Response:**

```json theme={null}
{
    "id": "usr_9RJb0KUrhugQ7uMZL5UML",
    "type": "INDIVIDUAL",
    "createdAt": "2026-07-12T21:19:32.760Z",
    "updatedAt": "2026-07-12T21:19:32.760Z"
}
```

## Next Steps

After creating a user, complete the following before they can transact:

1. **Upload compliance information** – Submit the user's KYC/KYB details via PATCH `/v3/users/:user_id/compliance/profile`. See the [Compliance Information](/v3/core/compliance/overview) for more details.
2. **Add a custodial wallet** – Create a custodial wallet for the user to hold and transfer funds.

## Getting Help

* 📧 **Email:** [support@hifi.com](mailto:support@hifi.com)
* 💬 **Slack:** Message us in our shared Slack channel

## Related Resources

* [Terms of Service](/v3/core/users/terms-of-service) - Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
* [KYC](/v3/core/compliance/kyc) - Complete individual compliance requirements
* [KYB](/v3/core/compliance/kyb) - Complete business compliance requirements