Performances
Comparison
Details
This content is generated by RD AI and is for reference only
Self Protocol is a privacy-first decentralized identity verification platform that leverages zero-knowledge proof technology, allowing users to verify their identity by scanning the NFC chip of a passport or national ID without uploading or storing any raw documents. Its core features include Proof of Human, age verification, nationality verification, sanctions list screening, and Agent ID services for AI agents. Users complete verification through the Self mobile app, with data stored only locally on their device; developers can integrate verification flows via SDKs, APIs, or a management dashboard, while enterprises can configure verification workspaces. The protocol is built on zk-SNARKs cryptography, ensuring verification results are presented as verifiable credentials that reveal nothing beyond the answer itself.
Fundraising
Follow Updates
Follow Lists
People
About Self Protocol
Self Protocol is an identity protocol for real humans, built on zero-knowledge proofs. It lets users verify their humanity and eligibility without exposing personal data. Core business includes Pre-KYC, which pre-screens users before expensive KYC checks, and Agent ID, a verifiable identity layer for AI agents. Its key strength is privacy-preserving verification, solving pain points like high KYC costs, data breach risks, and sybil attacks. In the past half year (2026-03 to 2026-09), Self partnered with Google to distribute USA₮ stablecoins to verified humans, and launched Agent ID as an extension of ERC-8004. It also expanded its SDKs to TypeScript, Python, and Rust, plus an MCP server. No major negative events were reported in this period.
Self Protocol launched at ETHDenver 2025, introducing Self Pass and Self Connect based on zero-knowledge proofs for privacy-preserving human verification. That year, it added support for India's Aadhaar and EU IDs, covering 150+ countries, laying the foundation for global identity infrastructure. In November 2025, it closed a $9M seed round to accelerate ZK research and ecosystem growth. In 2026, it plans to release Self App 3.0 with native multichain support, advancing verifiable identity as a universal Web3 layer.
Over the past six months, Self Protocol has made major strategic moves. In April 2026, it acquired AI startup Loam, bringing on former Uber Head of AI Birju Shah as COO to accelerate AI-agent identity solutions. It also announced a partnership with Google Cloud to integrate Self's proof-of-humanity and sanctions-screening infrastructure into Google's Web3 Portal and AI search tools.
The flagship launch was Self Agent ID, a verifiable identity layer for AI agents. Users scan passports in the Self app, generating zero-knowledge proofs on-device that link real identity to agents without exposing personal data. Agents receive soulbound NFTs and interoperable identity cards checkable via single API calls, with built-in sybil resistance via unique nullifiers. It extends ERC-8004 with SDKs in TypeScript, Python, Rust, plus MCP server and Claude Code plugin.
Official 2026 roadmap priorities: Self App 3.0 launching in Q1 with enhanced verification UX; multichain expansion beyond Ethereum and Celo; selective disclosure features; and expanding the Points Program through new partnerships and reward structures.
Eric Nakagawa (CEO): Co-founder of Self Labs, previously Executive Director at Celo Foundation, Head of Open Source at Facebook (Novi), and founder of ICanHasCheezburger. Florent Tavernier (Co-founder): Co-founder of Self Labs, previously founded OpenPassport (acquired by Self), cryptography researcher at Ethereum Foundation, and economics graduate from Sciences Po.