pfpid to launch utility-centric, next-generation NFT to associate real-world identities with crypto wallets

pfpid, the web3 company building “the blue tick for the rest of us”, is launching its flagship project the pfpid. Each pfpid is a non-transferrable NFT; it is locked to the user’s Ethereum wallet and can only be purchased once the user has verified their real-world identity via a KYC process. Since each pfpid NFT stores an immutable reference to the user’s identity on the blockchain, it can be used for:

•  Identity verification on social media
• Access to physical events and spaces
• Email sender verification (anti-phishing)
• pfpid Auth (sign in with pfpid)
• Multi-accounting prevention

Up until now, web3 has embraced anonymity and pseudonymity. The ecosystem has become reminiscent of the early internet days of cryptic usernames, avatars and illustrated profile pictures. This veiled universe has allowed early communities to flourish and people to protect themselves; but it also created some issues.

Sometimes online, it’s important to know that the person you’re interacting with is who they claim to be. The social platforms of web2 achieved this with the blue tick; an exclusive club of confirmed ‘real people’. But what if there was a blue tick for the rest of us? A validated, sovereign and public way for you to prove you are the person behind your presence on the internet.

The need for user verification is growing within web3. As projects become businesses, and DAOs begin to wield real influence, trusted mechanisms to verify the identities of those involved is becoming an essential requirement. It builds trust within their communities, allows them to remain compliant, and, in the context of DAOs, maintains democratic integrity when it comes to voting. Yuga Labs, the company behind the crypto’s most successful NFT project, BAYC, have validated this requirement by asking their users to complete a KYC process to be eligible for their latest project.

As the crypto ecosystem develops, the number of blockchain wallets created grows. Anonymous wallets play an important role in crypto; the promise of anonymity was a selling point which attracted many early crypto evangelists and that promise should be upheld. But in tandem with anonymous wallets, pfpid believe there is a growing requirement for KYC’d wallets; both for the benefit of consumers, and third parties. Sometimes anonymity is important, but if the ecosystem is to mature, KYC’d wallets will play a significant part in the process.

Finn Murphy, one of the pfpid team members said: “There’s always been a need for verifiable identity on the internet. Facebook arguably rose to prominence due to its focus on ‘the real profiles’ which they initially validated using .edu emails. But a centralised internet identity source was never going to be the solution long term. We’re excited about pfpid because NFTs allow it to belong to the users. It’s their tool to prove they are a human behind the screen and attribute their online presence to that real self if they so choose.’”

After the initial pfpid launch on April 14th, the team will be rolling out the utility roadmap of the project. The roadmap includes pfpid-compatible features which will improve holders’ productivity and security online.

The project was founded by three friends Conor Deegan, Finn Murphy, and Nev Flynn, who wanted to build an NFT project which harnessed the utility that’s afforded by blockchain smart contracts. Conor, a previous founder, is currently completing an MSc in Computer Science focused on blockchain technology. Finn had previously founded a company building digital student ID software on college campuses and is now a partner at Frontline Ventures. Nev is an engineer and designer who formerly founded Recroot and is now working at Sequoia-backed encryption startup, Evervault.

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