Self Protocol: Privacy-Preserving ZK Identity Infrastructure on Celo

Self Protocol is a zero-knowledge (ZK) identity infrastructure project built on the Celo blockchain, focused on enabling secure, verifiable human uniqueness and identity validation for Web2 and Web3 applications. Founded by Marek Olszewski and Rene Reinsberg, co-founders of Celo, Self Protocol raised $9 million in seed funding from Greenfield Capital, Verda Ventures, Spearhead, and others. It provides modular tools for privacy-focused identity verification, anti-sybil measures, and ecosystem integration without compromising user data.

(Sources: self points website)

Self Protocol’s Core Mission: Verifiable Identity with Privacy

Self Protocol addresses key challenges in decentralized identity by combining ZK proofs with decentralized storage to confirm human uniqueness and legal identity. It supports over 174 countries’ documents and biometric passports, offering a compliant, privacy-preserving alternative to centralized KYC systems. The platform’s design emphasizes user control, with no hardware requirements or biometric data collection, reducing regulatory risks compared to projects like Worldcoin.

Self Protocol acts as a neutral infrastructure layer, allowing ecosystems to share “human verification results” securely rather than raw data, fostering trust in applications like DeFi lending, NFT minting, and social platforms.

Key Components of Self Protocol

Self Protocol’s product suite covers the full identity lifecycle:

1. Self Pass: The core module for verifying human uniqueness and legal identity. It provides foundational support for airdrop sybil resistance, DeFi access controls, and bot prevention in social platforms.
2. Self Connect: Enables quick wallet binding via phone numbers, lowering the barrier for traditional users entering Web3.
3. Self SDK: A developer toolkit for embedding privacy-focused identity features into wallets, applications, or DeFi protocols, enabling rapid integration of verifiable credentials.

The protocol is integrated with Celo and supports applications like Aave and Velodrome, where verified users gain higher loan limits or additional yields.

How Self Protocol Works: ZK Verification and Ecosystem Integration

Self Protocol uses ZK proofs to validate identity without exposing sensitive information, ensuring compliance while preserving privacy. Users complete verification via the app (available on iOS and Android), earning Self Points for tasks like document submission. Points can be redeemed for ecosystem rewards or used in partner integrations.

The process:

• Verification: Upload documents or biometrics for ZK-proof generation.
• Integration: SDK embeds verification into dApps for seamless access.
• Rewards: Verified users benefit from enhanced DeFi terms or exclusive features.

Compared to competitors:

• Vs. Worldcoin: No hardware or biometrics; lower compliance risks.
• Vs. Billions: Stronger on-chain verification and multi-chain support.
• Vs. Human Passport: Provides verifiable credentials beyond reputation data.

Self Protocol’s flexibility suits RWA tokenization, DeFi, and open Web3 apps.

Funding and Backing: $9 Million Seed Round

Self Protocol raised $9 million in seed funding led by Greenfield Capital, with participation from Verda Ventures, Spearhead, and other investors. The round supports core development, SDK enhancements, and Celo ecosystem expansions. The team, including Celo co-founders Marek Olszewski and Rene Reinsberg, brings expertise in mobile-first blockchain infrastructure.

Current Status and Participation

Self Protocol is in early stages, with the app available for iOS and Android. Users can download the app, complete verification tasks, and earn Self Points at no cost. Layer3 hosts two simple quests for additional engagement, focusing on identity setup and ecosystem tasks. As an internal testing phase project, public participation is limited, but app verification provides early access and potential airdrop eligibility.

Summary

Self Protocol delivers privacy-preserving ZK identity verification on Celo, with Self Pass, Connect, and SDK tools enabling secure human uniqueness checks for DeFi and Web3 apps. Backed by $9 million from top investors and Celo founders, it balances trust and privacy through modular integration, positioning it for growth in compliant, data-secure ecosystems.