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| zk-id | zkID | zk-id.png | pse | active | devtools | zkID advances privacy-preserving digital identity by drafting technical standards, building open-source infrastructure, and strategic outreach. |
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zkID
Overview
zkID is a strategic initiative of the Ethereum Foundation, in collaboration with Privacy and Scaling Explorations (PSE), focused on advancing the use of Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) in digital identity systems. We contribute to PSE by leading research, coordination, education, and development efforts that enable privacy-preserving, interoperable, and standards-aligned identity infrastructure.
Our team works and distributes grants across the identity ecosystem to draft technical standards, maintain open-source resources, and prototype infrastructure that aligns with evolving regulatory frameworks. By stewarding collaboration between researchers, developers, governments, and institutions, zkID bridges foundational cryptographic research with real-world deployment and impact.
Vision
Our vision is a future where digital identity infrastructure is privacy-preserving. We are working to ensure that privacy is built into global digital identity systems by default. As governments make foundational decisions on how identity is issued, verified, and protected, we see an opportunity for EF and PSE to:
- Embed zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) at the core of these systems
- Define the underlying blockchain and distributed ledger technology used as trust registries and guiding GPDR policies
Why It Is Urgent
The European Union's EUDI Wallet is on track for rollout in 2026. In parallel, countries are building identity stacks, with deployment frameworks and policies that mirror or precede the EU's. This is a critical inflection point: technical decisions made today will determine whether future digital identity systems become tools for mass surveillance or embed privacy, user agency, and interoperability as defaults.
We are in a rare window of influence. Over the next 12 to 18 months:
- Standards are ossifying. Technical specifications and legal requirements being defined now will become defaults for dozens of countries.
- Public-private partnerships are forming. Major technology monopolies (Google, Microsoft, Orange, etc.) are positioning themselves to define and deploy identity solutions - from non-credibly neutral stances.
- Once deployed, systems are sticky. National identity systems are expensive, complex, and politically sensitive to overhaul. As we have learned from our experience working with other countries, if ZKPs are not integrated now, retrofitting them later will be slow, bureaucratic, and unlikely to succeed.
What We Do
zkID operates across three strategic workstreams to ensure zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are embedded in digital identity systems of the future:
- Proliferate Programmable ZKP Standards
We work with standard bodies to embed ZKPs into emerging identity frameworks to ensure interoperability. Our grant-backed efforts include:
- Technical reviews of implementations from Orange, Google, and Microsoft
- Technical reviews of verifiable credential data models
- Drafting an IETF standard on Programmable ZKPs
- Engage the wider zkp community on standards collaboration
- Participating in DIF and W3C standards working groups
- Shaping specifications within the EUDI technical framework
- Draft informal technical specifications on zk protocols
Standards like the IETF and EUDI framework are global signaling mechanisms. Dozens of countries reference the EUDI frameworks to shape their own identity regulations. If we can ensure ZKPs are part of the EUDI ARF spec, we create downstream pressure to adopt privacy-preserving architecture across multiple jurisdictions.
- Research, Prototype, Subtraction
We research and build standards-compliant, minimal and modular PoCs like the ZKP Wallet Unit. This is done in collaboration with governments, to ensure practical real-world ZKP integration pathways.
By delivering vendor-neutral, open-source PoCs, zkID aims to provide tangible working proof in production-ready environments.
- Education and Strategic Outreach
We publish research, articles, analysis, lead workshops, and run technical engagements.
Zero-knowledge proofs are powerful, but often misunderstood or underutilized by policymakers and civic organizations.
In parallel, we aim to advise institutions on selecting the right Layer 2 infrastructure, prioritizing solutions with strong decentralization roadmaps for identity-specific use cases.
zkID serves as a neutral translator and strategic steward, helping institutions grasp the practical applications of ZKPs and guiding their integration into public goods.
Mission
Our mission is to establish zero-knowledge proofs as the foundational technology for privacy-preserving identity verification systems worldwide.
Current Focus Areas
- Standards Development: Leading the creation of technical standards for ZK-based identity systems
- Open Source Infrastructure: Building and maintaining tools and libraries for ZK identity implementation
- Research & Development: Advancing the state-of-the-art in privacy-preserving identity technologies
- Ecosystem Coordination: Facilitating collaboration between stakeholders across the identity ecosystem
Key Initiatives
- W3C Standards Participation: Active involvement in World Wide Web Consortium standards development
- Government Outreach: Engaging with policy makers and regulatory bodies
- Academic Partnerships: Collaborating with universities and research institutions
- Industry Collaboration: Working with technology companies and identity providers
Impact
zkID's work aims to create a world where individuals have full control over their digital identity while maintaining privacy and security. Our efforts contribute to a more equitable and privacy-respecting digital future for all users.
Resources
For more information about zkID initiatives, technical standards, and ongoing projects, visit our GitHub repository and follow our research publications.