idena

Idena is a decentralized digital identity protocol that uses proof of personhood to establish unique human identities on a blockchain. It is open-source and permissionless, designed to enable on-chain governance and access to decentralized applications without relying on centralized identity providers.

Idena operates through periodic validation ceremonies in which participants perform tasks designed to be easy for humans but difficult for bots, in order to prove they are real people. Those who pass are added to the set of verified participants and can participate in the network’s identity-related activities. The process is global, with ceremonies scheduled to cover multiple time zones to ensure broad participation. Identity proofs are tied to cryptographic keys, and the system emphasizes privacy by not revealing personal information beyond proof of humanity.

The network uses a native token, IDNA, which is used to stake in validation activities and to reward participants who perform validations. IDNA also enables governance participation within the Idena ecosystem.

Idena runs its own blockchain and registry of valid users. The protocol is designed to resist Sybil attacks by requiring broad participation to validate new identities. It is intended for use in decentralized applications that require human verification, such as reputation systems, access control, or governance.

Criticism and challenges include concerns about privacy, the potential for collusion during ceremonies, and scalability of global validation rituals. The project remains under active development with ongoing community involvement. See also: proof of personhood, digital identity, blockchain governance.