zkPass: Revolutionizing KYC (Pre-Alpha Testnet Live)

The future of data or identity verification is evolving. The need for uploading identity documents for KYC may no longer be a thing in just a matter of time.

zkPass, a protocol that preserves privacy for data verification has recently announced that its Pre-alpha Testnet is already open for public testing and is available on Ethereum's Goerli Testnet, and opBNB Chain Testnet (Scroll Testnet to follow).

But first, let's take a brief look at what it is.

What is zkPass

zkPass is a protocol that allows users to securely and selectively validate or verify their real private data on any HTTPS website to the Web 3 world without necessarily revealing or uploading any private information to third parties.¹

Through its zkKYC, it allows anyone to prove his/her private data including legal identity, financial records, healthcare information, social interactions, work history, education, and skill certifications without disclosing or uploading sensitive personal data.²

It is built on the foundation of Multi-Party Computation (MPC), Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP), and three-party Transport Layer Security (3P-TLS), hence it can be readily incorporated into multiple application scenarios, including composable decentralized identity passes, DeFi lending protocols relying on off-chain credit, privacy-ensured healthcare data marketplaces, and dating apps featuring verifiable zkSBTs, etc.³

In simple terms, zkPass is a private data verification protocol that uses three cryptographic solutions (3P-TLS, MPC network, and zkProofs) to verify private data in any HTTPS platform without requiring users to upload personal documents (unlike traditional KYC).

For more technical information, you can check them here.

Apparently, the project has recently secured a $2.5M seed fund and is backed by Sequoia China, Binance Labs, OKX Ventures, dao5, SIG DT Investments, Inc., Leland Ventures, Cypher Capital, and Blockchain Founders Fund. _src

zkKYC

zero-knowledge Know-Your-Customer, an innovative application by zkPass that leverages the power of zero-knowledge Proofs and MPC.

With zkKYC, sensitive personal information remains protected, and compliance with regulatory requirements is achieved without sacrificing user privacy. zkKYC can be used for age, nationality, gender, and address verification.⁴

zkKYC boasts features like privacy-preserving; a redesigned standard TLS protocol into a three-party TLS; compatible with any HTTPS website without requiring API or license; has anti-cheating and memory efficiency features. More information here.

TransGate is a foundational product that incorporates three key technologies: MPC network, Interactive Zero-knowledge proof system, and 3P-TLS protocol. The TransGate enables the seamless transfer of private data from the web2 realm to web2 or web3.⁵

2. Setup the Testnet network configuration in your wallet

The Goerli Testnet is pre-configured on Metamask so you can just enable it. If not, you can manually add it:

• ❇️Goerli Tesnet

  • New RPC URL: https://www.ankr.com/rpc/eth/eth_goerli/
  • Chain ID: 5
  • Currency: ETH
  • Block Explorer URL: https://goerli.etherscan.io/

• ❇️ opBNB Testnet

  • New RPC URL: https://opbnb-testnet-rpc.bnbchain.org/
  • Chain ID: 5611
  • Currency: tBNB
  • Block Explorer URL: http://opbnbscan.com/
    
    

3. Obtain Testnet tokens from the Faucets.

• Get ETH Goerli from the Polygon Faucet which requires Discord verification.

• Get tBNB from Faucet Smart.

• Transfer tBNB to opBNB Testnet using the bridge.

4. Go to the Testnet page and connect with your wallet.

5. Start minting your zero-knowledge Soul Bound Tokens (zkSBTs).

There are a variety of fields to choose from Socials (Web 2 accounts like Discord, Medium, TikTok), Legal identity, Financial (Binance, banks), and Educational among others.

Here's how it goes for minting a Discord zkSBT as an example:

• Clicking on "Free Mint" opens up this window. Tick on the box to agree with the Terms and Conditions and click on "Start."

Summary

zkPass through its zkKYC is revolutionizing the KYC process without the need for users to reveal or upload sensitive identity documents. The protocol is compatible with any HTTPS platform.

It employs cryptographic solutions (MPC, zKP, and 3P-TLS) which allow users to validate their private data through the verification of their HTTPS-based web sessions, therefore avoiding the necessity of uploading private documents and exposing sensitive private information.

The zkPass Pre-Alpha Testnet is open for public testing and anyone can join. Testnets are available on Goerli Ethereum, opBNB, and soon, Scroll network.

Users can test the protocol, proving their identities (Web 2 socials, financials, and legal identities) by minting zkSBTs on the zkPass Testnet page.