https://self.xyz/

Twitter: https://x.com/SelfProtocol

• Launched in early 2025 by former Celo core contributors at Self Labs, Self Protocol is a blockchain-based identity verification system

• It leverages zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) for privacy-preserving verification, allowing users to prove attributes like age, location, or humanity without revealing personal data, addressing Sybil attacks, regulatory compliance, and onboarding friction

• As of November 2025, Self Protocol has over 7M global users through Self Pass and Self Connect, enabling token airdrops, DeFi access, and KYC in 174+ countries using e-passport NFC technology

• The protocol is open-source, developer-friendly via SDKs, and partnered with Aave, VelodromeFi, and Google Cloud

• Endorsed by the Ethereum Foundation, Self Protocol has launched a ZK residency program for developers

• Key milestones include the acquisition of OpenPassport and the beta launch for Sybil-resistant distributions

• Web3 dApps face persistent challenges such as fair token distribution, regulatory compliance, and proof-of-humanity, while traditional KYC solutions expose user data to breaches and erode trust

• Self Protocol addresses these issues by verifying identities off-chain while generating on-chain proofs, advancing self-sovereign identity (SSI) where users control their own data

• Self Pass: A Sybil-resistant verification system for attributes (e.g., age, country, non-sanctioned status); generates ZKPs from ID scans (no selfies/KYC uploads), prevents duplicate airdrop claims, and ensures proof-of-humanity for anti-bot protection

• Self Connect: Links phone numbers to wallet addresses for seamless onboarding; enables stablecoin transactions via verified phones while removing blockchain entry barriers such as seed phrases

• Self SDK: A developer toolkit for ZK-based, privacy-preserving ID verification, enabling seamless on-chain checks (age, location, humanity) via NFC passport scans

How It Works:

• Verification: Users scan their passport or ID via the Self app to derive minimal claims like “age > 18.”

• ZK Proof Generation: Creates zero-knowledge proofs attesting to claims without exposing personal data.

• On-chain Binding: Proofs link to the user’s wallet, allowing apps to verify compliance with a simple yes/no outcome via the SDK.

• Example Flow: Phone reads ID → ZK proof of compliance → app receives binary outcome (compliant/non-compliant).

• Extensibility: NFC-enabled passports ensure high accuracy; multi-wallet support and encrypted seed phrase recovery are supported (e.g., via BackupBuddy).

• Token Airdrops: Sybil-resistant distributions; verifies uniqueness without exposing data, reducing fraud and enabling fair allocations.

• DeFi Onboarding: Geo/age gating for lending or yield farming, enabling compliant access.

• Payments & Stablecoins: ZK proofs for global transfers; phone-to-wallet linking enables frictionless remittances without KYC custody.

• Events & NFTs: Age/region verification for mints or check-ins; scalable, privacy-preserving ticketing.

• Proof-of-Humanity: Anti-AI agent measures; links real IDs to secure DAOs and voting against bots.

• Self Protocol: A comprehensive on-chain identity layer for DeFi, NFTs, and the broader crypto ecosystem

• Humanity: Specializes in human identity verification to prevent bots in communities

Similarities:

• Use ZKPs for privacy-preserving verification

• Aim to prevent Sybil attacks

• Decentralized verification reduces single-point control

Differences:

• Primary Use:

  • Self Protocol - General on-chain identity verification for DeFi, NFTs, and more

  • Humanity - Human verification for bots prevention

• Verification Scope:

  • Self Protocol - Multiple attributes: age, location, humanity, etc.

  • Humanity - Only human identity

• Use Cases:

  • Self Protocol - Sybil prevention, compliance, onboarding

  • Humanity - Prevent bots in votes, airdrops, communities

• Product Positioning:

  • Self Protocol - Enterprise-grade, multi-functional

  • Humanity - Focused on social/DAO/community verification

• Founded by ex-Celo core contributors with a focus on mobile-first blockchain accessibility

• Eric Nakagawa (CEO): Blockchain veteran focused on privacy in on-chain applications

• Marek Olszewski (Co-founder, cLabs CEO): Leads Celo integrations; background at MIT, Microsoft, Google

• Team includes ZK experts from OpenPassport acquisition, emphasizing open-source development

• Funding: Ethereum Foundation grants; recently raised private capital (details undisclosed)

• Adoption Barriers: Requires NFC-enabled devices; limited to passport-supporting countries

• Security Gaps: Lacks 2FA, potential risk of ID spoofing

• Scalability: ZK proof generation can be compute-intensive; relies on Celo for on-chain efficiency

• Regulatory Fit: Balances privacy with compliance; may face scrutiny in high-KYC regions

• Poised for growth in the 2025–2026 privacy tech boom

• Future $SELF token could incentivize verifiers and issuers; no native token exists yet

• Rising AI Sybil attacks are driving proof-of-humanity demand, expected to exceed 20M users by 2026

• Ecosystem expansion: deeper Ethereum and Celo integration, with potential Cosmos IBC for cross-chain support

• Roadmap includes multi-wallet support, AI-resistant proofs, and expanded SDKs for L2s

• In a post-FTX world, Self Protocol enables trustless, verifiable infrastructure for a privacy-first digital economy

Chung