The Holonym Foundation has taken over Gitcoin Passport, aiming to establish a Proof of Humanity network that could surpass Worldcoin.

Gitcoin Passport, known as the leading identity solution in the cryptocurrency space for preventing sybil attacks, has been acquired. The Holonym Foundation has taken over the service with intentions to integrate it into its Proof of Humanity network. This strategic move aims to create a verification solution that exceeds all previous efforts, including those by Worldcoin.

Replacing Gitcoin Passport, the new system will be branded as human.tech, already boasting over 2 million users and more than 34 million credentials. This is only the beginning, as plans suggest that the credentials on human.tech will soon exceed 50 million, offering a global solution for sybil detection and onchain reputation management.

A Fresh Chapter in Digital Identity

Decentralized identity stands out as one of web3's most intriguing applications, allowing people to validate their humanity without sacrificing their personal identity. While there is a clear need for sybil resistance and onchain reputation systems, achieving a balance between security and privacy continues to be a challenge. By acquiring Gitcoin Passport, Holonym Foundation is confident in its ability to redefine Proof of Humanity on a large scale.

By rebranding Gitcoin Passport to Human Passport and integrating it into the Human Network, also referred to as human.tech, Holonym is establishing the largest privacy-focused digital identity protocol worldwide. With over 2 million current users and the potential to generate 34.5 million zero-knowledge (ZK) credentials, this endeavor will support data sovereignty while enabling smooth authentication.

The Urgency for a Global Proof of Humanity

Decentralized identity has long faced the dual challenges of preventing malicious actors from exploiting web3 systems while preserving user privacy. Traditional identity verification approaches, such as KYC, often require personal information disclosure that conflicts with the decentralization ethos. Meanwhile, many sybil-resistance methods rely on heuristics that fail to deter sophisticated bots and multi-wallet attackers effectively.

Holonym’s acquisition of Gitcoin Passport seeks to address these issues. By embedding privacy-focused cryptographic infrastructure into a widely used reputation system, the newly named Human Passport will support a decentralized identity model where users can authenticate themselves without revealing sensitive information like social security numbers or mother's maiden names.

Gitcoin Passport Founder Kevin Owocki noted, “With human.tech leading the charge, Passport is transforming into an even greater entity: an identity layer that upholds human dignity, privacy, and trustworthy verification on the internet. This evolution bolsters our collective mission to develop open, decentralized systems that prioritize people.”

Creating an Internet that Centers on People

The impact of Human Passport extends far beyond basic identity verification. Web3 applications, ranging from decentralized finance to SoFi, benefit from robust identity proofs that maintain user security. However, considering this solely as a web3 phenomenon misses the broader opportunity: the same identity structure can be applied to web2, effectively covering the entire internet.

Every website, app, and platform can be accessed using this technology without storing user data on centralized servers, where it might be sold to advertisers or, worse, stolen by hackers. Initially, at least, human.tech integrations are expected to originate from onchain protocols aiming to provide authentication without resorting to traditional KYC and the heavy data burden it imposes on projects. 

As the Human Network grows, it could become the foundation of a universal, privacy-preserving identity system that shields users from fraud while ensuring their independence remains unchallenged. This marks the end of Gitcoin Passport as previously known, but it heralds the beginning of a new era for digital identity management.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.