Share this article
Zero-Knowledge Identity Startup Self Raises $9M, Introduces Points Program
Self raised $9 million to expand its zero-knowledge identity platform and introduced a rewards program aimed at driving on-chain verification adoption.
Nov 13, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
What to know:
- Self raised $9M from Greenfield Capital, SoftBank and others.
- The protocol provides zero-knowledge powered, privacy-preserving identity verification.
- The company introduced a points program rewarding verified user activity.
Self, a zero-knowledge identity and proof-of-humanity protocol used by Google (GOOG) and Aave, said it raised $9 million in seed funding and introduced a points-based rewards program to promote on-chain identity verification.
Investors include Greenfield Capital, Startup Capital Ventures x SBI Fund (SoftBank), Spearhead VC, Verda Ventures, Fireweed Ventures and angel backers such as Casey Neistat, Sreeram Kannan (EigenLayer), Sandeep Nailwal (Polygon), Julien Bouteloup (Curve), Jill Carlson (Espresso) and Hart Lambur (Across Protocol), the company said in a press release Thursday.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Self provides privacy-preserving identity infrastructure using zero-knowledge proofs and verifiable credentials to confirm attributes like age or uniqueness without exposing personal data.
The protocol supports verification via biometric passports, national IDs and India’s Aadhaar, as well as lightweight mobile onboarding through Self Connect.
Zero-knowledge proofs let crypto users confirm something is true, like a transaction’s validity, without exposing any underlying details. They prove the validity of statements on blockchains without offering information that may compromise privacy.
Already integrated with Google, Aave and Velodrome, Self powers use cases from Sybil-resistant airdrops to Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)-compliant token distributions.
The points program rewards users for verifying identity and interacting across partner platforms, with future integrations expanding earning opportunities.
Read more: Boundless Launches Mainnet on Base, Ushering in Universal Zero-Knowledge Compute
AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Millions in crypto wealth at risk of vanishing when holders die. Here's how to protect them
Without proper planning, inherited crypto can easily be lost to delays, missing keys or fiduciaries unfamiliar with the asset class, experts warn.
What to know:
- Crypto holders can take a few steps to prevent their assets from disappearing forever when they pass away.
- Without proper planning, inherited crypto can easily be lost to probate delays, missing private keys, or fiduciaries unfamiliar with the asset class.
- Even with improved regulatory clarity, crypto adds complexity beyond what many in the advisory space are accustomed to.
Top Stories
