Key facts
- StarkWare has launched Private KYC on Starknet, a new identity verification system.
- The system utilizes zero-knowledge STARK proofs and STRK20 privacy features.
- Users can verify specific attributes like age or credential validity without disclosing full personal details.
- The process involves scanning a passport, encrypting data to a Starknet wallet, and registering attributes on-chain.
- Verifiers can confirm eligibility by checking the public registry, not by viewing the user's actual identity data.
- StarkWare's approach emphasizes self-custody of personal data, aiming to mitigate risks associated with data breaches.
StarkWare, a company specializing in zero-knowledge scaling solutions, has launched a new privacy-focused identity verification system called Private KYC on its Starknet platform. Announced as a demo, the system aims to allow users to meet know-your-customer (KYC) requirements without compromising their personal data.
Utilizing zero-knowledge STARK proofs and STRK20 privacy features, Private KYC enables users to selectively prove specific facts about themselves, such as being over 18 or possessing valid credentials, without revealing sensitive information like passport details or addresses. StarkWare emphasizes that identity checks should only confirm the necessary fact, as collecting and storing entire identity documents creates significant liability for corporations.
The introduction of Private KYC comes amid rising concerns over data breaches. In 2025, the US recorded a record 3,322 data compromises, a substantial increase over five years, with the global average cost of a data breach reaching $4.4 million. The healthcare sector has been particularly affected, with over 1 billion records breached by 2026 at an average cost of $7.42 million.
The Private KYC process begins with users scanning their passport via their phone's camera and NFC chip to verify its authenticity. This encrypted identity data is then stored in the user's Starknet wallet. Users can register attributes in a public on-chain registry, allowing verifiers to confirm eligibility through zero-knowledge proofs without ever accessing the actual identity documents. StarkWare asserts that this system demonstrates that verification and privacy can coexist, allowing institutions to confirm what they need without accumulating sensitive personal data.
This approach differs from systems like Sam Altman's World ID, which uses iris scans. StarkWare's model focuses on self-custody of data, aiming to address criticisms regarding centralized biometric data storage seen in other projects. The company highlighted that contracts check the proofs, not the passports themselves, reinforcing the privacy-centric design.