Crypto’s “proof of humanity” sector recently witnessed a significant merger as Holonym Foundation acquired Gitcoin Passport. This deal involved both cash and tokens but the amount remains undisclosed.

The integration unites two companies closely aligned in their mission: Holonym distributes its technology via Gitcoin Passport, a platform where over 2 million internet users store proof of personhood, essential for services that require verification of real human identity.

“AI agents aren’t people, but they may well pretend as much when money’s on the line.* Holonym and Gitcoin are among a wave of crypto startups (most notably Sam Altman’s Worldcoin) focused on distinguishing humans from bots.*

Gitcoin Passport will undergo a rebranding to Human Passport, while continuing to employ eight staff members from Gitcoin, enriching Holonym’s team to 30. El Damaty aims to make the digital passport more transferable, allowing it to “follow you wherever you go on the internet,” facilitating necessary identity checks for online transactions.

The merger is expected to enhance privacy. The primary allure of the Gitcoin Passport, as opposed to a government ID, is that it can confirm users’ identities without disclosing personal information. Following the merger, this functionality is set to improve, incorporating zero-knowledge proof technology for about 35 million credentials currently stored.

One notable application of this technology includes managing airdrops, ensuring that token distributions reward legitimate users rather than automated bots, helping Holonym secure $225 million in such allocations.

Additionally, Holonym plans to partner with humanitarian projects, particularly with initiatives to assist displaced individuals in accessing financial aid, aiming to assist 1 million persons in need.

This acquisition positions Holonym to compete with Worldcoin, leveraging its connections with OpenAI’s Sam Altman. El Damaty states, “We’re positioning ourselves as an alternative to Worldcoin.”