Holonym Foundation Acquires Gitcoin Passport in $10M Deal to Create ‘Proof of Humanity’ Network

The transaction, expected to close by the end of 2024, marks a major consolidation in the digital identity verification sector. The agreement integrates Gitcoin Passport’s “human proof” system with Holonym’s “human network,” which uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify identities while protecting user privacy.

The combined platform will merge the technical strengths of both organizations to deliver comprehensive identity verification services. By uniting their user bases and technologies, the new entity aims to become a leading provider of decentralized identity solutions in the competitive digital identity market.

This acquisition follows recent industry developments, including major investments in biometric identity platforms and increased focus on privacy-preserving digital identity frameworks.

The merged platform will integrate Gitcoin Passport’s verification system with Holonym’s Human Network, offering enhanced identity verification processes and privacy protection through zero-knowledge proofs, while serving a combined user base exceeding 2 million verified users.

This represents one of the largest consolidations in the emerging Proof of Humanity sector to date, with significant implications for the digital identity verification industry. Both companies emphasized that they are committed to ensuring minimal disruption for existing users during the integration process.