Web3 was supposed to be for the people, not for bots. Yet, it’s a real challenge to keep web3 ecosystems human. Most web3 projects are built to scale, but scaling users without verifying who they are opens the door to Sybils, bots, and exploiters. Fake accounts distort metrics, drain incentives, and detour communities from their path to success. Real people get lost in the noise.

It might sound ironic to talk about verification in a space so fond of anonymity, but verification and privacy do not contradict - we prove it every day at human.tech. Human Passport (part of human.tech suite) exists to fix the Sybil problem, with a full toolkit for proving personhood and filtering out fake or malicious accounts in a privacy-preserving way.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the Human Passport toolkit and key use cases, show which tools to use when, and share real-world examples from past campaigns and integrations.

What is Human Passport and who is it for?

Human Passport is a decentralized, privacy-preserving, modular stack for identity verification and Sybil defense, offering an aggregation dApp, Sybil detection machine learning models, and other tools designed to verify unique user identities. In plain terms, it is how web3 protocols distinguish real humans who contribute to their growth from bots and bad actors, and protect rewards from being ‘farmed’.

Acquired by Holonym foundation in December 2024, Human Passport is now one of three products in the human.tech suite, alongside Human Network and Human Wallet. Previously known as Gitcoin Passport and Passport XYZ, the Human Passport was the first aggregate Proof of Personhood (aka Proof of Humanity) solution available on the market. Since the very beginning, our mission has been to make Sybil resistance seamless, scalable, and privacy-first.

Starting as a grant protection solution for Gitcoin, Human Passport has defended nine consecutive Gitcoin Grant rounds so far, most recently Gitcoin Grants 23, along with major airdrops (see Story Protocol case study), governance initiatives, and community programs across web3. As of today, we provided Sybil resistance solutions for 120+ projects, 150+ campaigns, helping secure over $430M in capital flow. And numbers keep adding.

Human Passport use cases

Human Passport is built for developers and platforms that need:

• Airdrop and faucet protection

• Quadratic funding defence

• Fair and secure governance

• Human-first AI access control

• Gaming rewards and experience protection

• Privacy-preserving sanctions and KYC checks

• Reputation scoring and spam prevention within communities

To support these use cases, Human Passport offers a set of modular digital identity (DID) and Proof of Personhood (PoP) products and services.

Tools for Sybil detection and Proof of Personhood

We offer a modular and customizable stack of tools, meaning you can build your own verification flow, dashboard, or combine verification methods. Our tools are divided into two categories: Real-time verification and Asynchronous verification.

Real-time solutions:

• Passport Stamps

• Passport Models

• Direct zk verification (via Human ID)

Async solutions:

• Wallet list analytics (via Data Services)

We’re constantly updating our tools to meet teams where they are, whether you need instant verification or deeper, post-hoc analysis.

Real-time verification methods

Passport Stamps

Stamps represent attributes like onchain activities, government-issued ID (via zk-powered KYC), biometrics, verified social accounts, and web of trust.

Integration: Stamps can be integrated by partners offchain via API or verified onchain using Passport’s smart contracts. Additionally, partners can create branded dashboards, adjust score weights, and create their own Stamps using the Custom Passport and soon - embed Stamps verification flow directly into their app or page with Passport Embed - more about it below.

Passport Models

Along with Stamps, we provide Machine learning models that assign Sybil risk scores to wallets. These models, trained on extensive lists of classified wallets, analyze behavioral and activity patterns to help detect bots, farmers, and other high-risk accounts. We support model scores across multiple EVM chains, most recently Base, and an aggregate unique humanity model that combines signals from all supported networks.

Integration: Compared to Stamps, Models work seamlessly in the background - users don’t have to collect credentials or complete extra steps. We check for their existing onchain history, calculate the scores, partners access the scores via API.

Direct zk Verification with Human ID

Human ID (by human.tech) allows for privacy-preserving zk-powered identity checks. Real-time phone or ID document verification is available for use cases requiring higher-assurance identity checks for compliance. Human ID stack also includes Proof of Clean Hands, a verification method for sanctions lists presence and political exposure, performed without storing any personal identity data. Biometric checks are coming soon!

Integration: Human ID verification results can be accessed via API.

Passport Stamps, Model-based Detection, and direct zk verification with Human ID are all part of the Real-Time Verification services of Human Passport.

Learn more → passport.human.tech/verification

Async verification methods

Data Services (via human.tech research)

Advanced analytics tools for Sybil classification, retention tracking, and address network clustering. Helps teams understand real vs. fake user behavior and improve targeting for airdrops, loyalty programs, and governance participation.

This solution doesn’t require any integration and is frictionless for users. Just drop us a list of wallets (1K–1M), and we’ll analyze them for Sybil risk, clustering, and retention. Popular choice for airdrops.

Learn more about Data Services → passport.human.tech/data

Ways to use Human Passport

Whether you need full control or a drop-in solution, Human Passport offers multiple ways to integrate identity verification and Sybil protection into your product or campaign. Access to Stamps scores is provided via API or onchiain via smart contracts. Passport Models require API integration, and Data services are integration free - you just send us your wallet list.

Stamps: Human Passport App (a default option)

Launching airdrops, points, or contributor programs? Use the hosted app for manual verification or campaign eligibility checks, no code required. Send users to the Human Passport’s app to verify Stamps to perform Proof of Humanity and build their Unique Humanity Score. The default passing score in our app is set to 20, projects access the scores via API. Helpful for bootstrapping small programs or working with less technical teams.

Stamps: Custom Passport with your own Logic and Thresholds

Configure your own definition of “human.” Projects can set passing score thresholds with either Passport Stamps (default is 20+) or Passport Models, require specific Stamps, create their own custom Stamps, or combine multiple Passport tools based on their ecosystem’s unique needs.

Stamps: Passport Embed (coming soon)

An embeddable frontend component that enables in-flow Proof of Personhood checks directly on your website. With Embeds, users can verify their identity without leaving the application or site - no redirects, fully brandable. Ideal for gated access, onboarding, and campaign participation. Embeds are currently in alpha - partners can contact us to request early access.

Models API

You don’t have to use an app to utilize Human Passport products. Access Model-Based Detection via API. Ideal for pre-filtering wallets and gating access without sending users away to perform any action. Note that it’s recommended to pair Model-based detection with Stamps for additional verification in borderline cases, like new users without extensive wallet history.

Campaigns

If you want a more tailored experience, we can help you set up your own custom campaign page that walks users through a step-by-step process where they must complete or verify different activities. The user will enter this page directly rather than the Passport app, via a custom URL. You can opt for a selection of existing Stamps or customize the requirements around different activities. We’ll help design and configure a custom protection flow tailored to your project's specific needs.

Wallet Lists

If you’re working with an existing list of wallets and want to identify Sybils, you can send the file directly to our team for analysis. No integration is required, and the analysis can be performed at any time. We’ll return insights on Sybil clustering, wallet scores, and tailored recommendations. Get in touch to submit a list (1K–1M wallets) and we’ll handle the rest.

Real-world examples: what you can do with Human Passport

Human Passport supports multiple use cases, including securing incentive programs, performing Proof of Personhood, and evaluating community health. With over 150 integrations to date, there are multiple examples of how you can use Passport. Below, we explore some of the most common ones:

1. Protected Incentive Programs

Airdrops, faucets, and gaming rewards are magnets for Sybil attackers. Without filtering, one person with 100 wallets can drain your entire campaign.

Tools that help:

• Model-Based Detection – Score wallets for Sybil risk using onchain data

• Stamps and Onchain Passport – Check for real-world or onchain identity proofs

• Data Services – Wallet analysis and Sybil Clustering; flag wallet groups acting as a farm

• Diamondhands – Distinguish real contributors from hit-and-run claimers

Used for: token drops, quests, faucet defense, in-game economies

Used by: Story Protocol, Shape, LayerEdge, Kelp × Kernel, Avail, Initia, Sunrise, ICN, Linea, and many more

2. Sybil-Resistant Funding and Governance

Quadratic funding and token voting only work if each contribution comes from a unique human. Checking for Human Passport’s Unique Humanity Score prevents voting power and matching funds from being gamed.

Tools that help:

• Stamps and Onchain Passport – Use Passport scores or specific stamp requirements

• Proof of Clean Hands – Confirm wallets are compliant

• Model-Based Detection – Score addresses passively in the background

• Smart Contract Integrations – Enforce checks directly onchain

Used for: DAO governance, voting systems, quadratic funding

Used by: Gitcoin Grants, Giveth’s q/acc, Snapshot

3. Human-First Communities with Reputation Checks and Access Control

Prevent spam, fake accounts, and AI feedback farming. Whether you're running a forum, social app, or LLM input channel, only real humans should get through.

Tools that help:

• Stamps – Lightweight humanity signals (web2, web3, and more)

• Passport Embed (coming soon) – Embedded, in-flow user verification

• Direct Verification – Real-time phone/KYC for high-assurance checks

• Diamondhands – Segment engaged users from bots or short-term spammers

Used for: social platforms, community tools, LLM feedback gates

Used by: Discourse forums, Layer3, Guild.xyz, Collab.land

4. Privacy-Preserving Compliance

Passport allows protocols to stay compliant, without surveillance. Prove uniqueness, clean wallet history, or regional eligibility without exposing user data.

Tools that help:

• Stamps and Onchain Passport – KYC-lite, jurisdictional, and reputation checks

• Proof of Clean Hands – Verify wallets are “clean” without linking to identity

• Custom Passport – Set custom logic and thresholds that reflect your protocol’s risk model

• Smart Contracts – Enforce checks directly in your onchain logic

Used for: DeFi onboarding, token gating, region-based campaigns, token sales

Used by: Refunite’s RelayID, Ika, Human Bridge on Aztec Network

5. Wallets Analysis at Scale

Running a campaign and want to clean up your lists first? Just send your wallets — no integration required.

Tools that help:

• Data Services – One-time or ongoing analysis of large wallet lists

Used for: airdrop preparation, user audits, segmentation, cleanup

Used by: EdenLayer, Shape, Story Protocol

Start Building with Human Passport

Whether you're launching a new protocol, running an incentive campaign, or scaling your app, Human Passport helps you verify real users, protect your incentives, and stay Sybil-resistant from day one.

• The first stamp-based unique humanity verification tool available on the market

• 150+ campaigns already use Human Passport across grants, airdrops, reputation, and governance systems

• Story Protocol protected a $98M airdrop from Sybils using Human Passport’s tools

• Kernel and Kelp used Passport to verify real contributors across chains

• Gitcoin Grants continues to rely on Passport for Sybil scoring

Incentives, governance, or onboarding — Human Passport lets you verify users without compromising privacy.

Ready to defend your app from Sybils?

Apply to partner | Read the docs | Visit our website

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About Human Passport (formerly Gitcoin Passport)

Human Passport is an identity verification application and a Sybil resistance protocol with more than 2M users. It enables users to collect verifiable credentials, or Stamps, that prove their identity and trustworthiness without exposing personally identifying information. To date, Human Passport has protected over $430M in airdrop and grant funds.

https://passport.human.tech

About human.tech

human.tech is a suite of technologies designed to enhance personal freedom, privacy, and financial autonomy. human.tech provides innovative solutions for secure identity, data ownership, and private transactions, ensuring that technology remains a tool for human empowerment.

https://human.tech