ZetaChain partners with zkMe for anonymous omnichain user verifications
ZetaChain partners with zkMe in order to enable efficient and anonymous verification of user credentials across chain ecosystems. Leveraging zkMe’s zero-knowledge Identity Oracle and Omni Soulbound Tokens (Omni SBTs), this partnership paves the way for seamless, privacy-focused, interoperable identity verification in the decentralized world. Developed in partnership with ZetaChain, zkMe’s Omni Soulbound Tokens represent verified user credentials that are non-transferable and can be used across all chains connected via ZetaChain’s Omnichain Approach.
The Idea: zkMe’s Identity Oracle and Omni Soulbound Tokens
The blockchain industry is growing rapidly, necessitating secure and efficient management of digital assets and identity. Traditional methods either require trust assumptions into centralized custodians or exposure of sensitive on-chain information, both posing risks for data breaches and identity theft. zkMe tackles this issue with the concept of a zero-knowledge Identity Oracle, which safely bridges person-bound data on-chain without disclosing any private data.
In this system, users generate zero-knowledge proofs (zkSNARK ZKPs) for claims on their credentials directly on their devices. This ensures that no personally identifiable information (PII) is shared, processed, or stored by anyone. It’s fully private-by-design and end-to-end zero-knowledge. The validity and integrity of the ZKPs are checked by a decentralized multi-party computation node network (MPC Oracle). Once verified, an on-chain representation, known as Omni Soulbound Token (SBT), is minted into the user’s Self-Sovereign Identity（SSI）wallet.
Omni SBTs, developed in partnership with ZetaChain, are non-transferable, non-fungible tokens representing verified user credentials. These tokens can be used by the user to prove eligibility criteria for decentralized applications (dApps) on that chain ecosystem. This is where the major breakthrough lies: these tokens are not limited to one chain but are recognized across all chains connected via ZetaChain’s Omnichain technology. This interoperability significantly broadens the tokens’ applicability and reach.
The Game-Changer: ZetaChain’s Omnichain Approach
One of the biggest challenges however when it comes to on-chain identities is achieving high degrees of reusability and interoperability across different blockchain networks. This is where ZetaChain’s Omnichain Account approach comes in. ZetaChain enables developers like zkMe to create protocols that leverage and manage assets on any connected blockchain, including non-smart-contract chains like Bitcoin, without relying on custom bridges or making trust assumptions.
The Omnichain Account approach works by holding a collectively owned TSS key and address. This effectively adds smart contract capabilities to non-smart-contract blockchains and unlocks new use cases that were previously unavailable due to interoperability concerns. By enabling developers to create dApps that can interact with assets and identities on any blockchain in a secure and efficient way, this approach paves the way for a more connected and interoperable blockchain ecosystem. It eliminates the need for custom-built bridges or trusts assumptions, making the implementation of an industry-wide decentralized identity a reality.
The Benefits: Easy Self-Sovereign Identities
zkMe will anchor the user’s SSI to ZetaChain. This will allow users to manage their entire on-chain Identity across all chain ecosystems from just one ZetaChain wallet. Delegating, amending and revoking permissions on a dApp by dApp and credential by credential level, the user is in full control of who has access to which (anonymized) information.
While any off-chain fact could potentially be verified using a zero-knowledge Oracle like the one developed by zkMe, the team is fully focused on bringing person-bound credential data like biometric, demographic, educational, and financial data on-chain.
The following two use cases are currently live:
1) Anti-Sybil protection through Proof-of-Personhood (PoP)
2) FATF-compliant customer due diligence (zkKYC).
With zkMe’s PoPs, you can quickly weed out bot and sybil wallets and laser focus on your core user base. With zkMe’s zkKYC you can start your journey towards compliance by fulfilling your legal KYC/AML requirements without having to abandon the ethos of your projects’ decentralization or your users’ privacy.
zkMe’s zero-knowledge Identity Oracle, in combination with Omni SBTs and ZetaChain’s Omnichain Account approach, provides a secure and efficient means of managing and transferring user data across different blockchains. As the blockchain industry continues to evolve, adopting decentralized identity protocols will become increasingly important to protect users’ personal data and digital assets. By enabling more connected and interoperable blockchain networks, we can pave the way for a more efficient and secure future.
The next steps: Road to Mainnet
We’re thrilled to announce that zkMe and ZetaChain will be working together to bring even more advanced solutions to the world of decentralized identity. This partnership combines zkMe’s expertise in zero-knowledge proofs with ZetaChain’s interoperable Omni SBTs to create even more advanced and secure solutions for managing Identities and verifying credentials across chain ecosystems. zkMe is live on the ZetaChain testnet, so if you are facing any user verification needs please feel free to reach out to contact@zk.me or follow zkMe’s social media channels to learn more details and exciting news on the ZetaChain collaboration.
