The Validity Ladder
Progressive verification that grows with you. Start anywhere. Upgrade when you need to. Never demanded, always available.
Verification Layers
Layer 0: Anonymous
You exist. That's enough to start.
An anonymous passport has no verification at all. You have a DID and a public key, but nobody has checked whether your device is real or whether you are who you say you are.
In practice, most passports start at Layer 1 because the registration ceremony includes device verification.
What you can do
- Explore the ecosystem
- Read public documentation
Requires upgrade
- Use the Companion
- Build or test
- Publish anything
Who it's for: Observers who want to browse before committing.
Layer 1: Device Verified
Available NowYour device vouches for you.
Layer 1 is achieved through the WebAuthn passkey ceremony during registration. Your device's secure enclave (Face ID, fingerprint, security key) signs a challenge, proving you possess a real device with hardware-backed key storage.
What you can do
- Use the Companion (full access)
- Build and test in the developer sandbox
- Access public KB
- Explore the ecosystem
Requires upgrade
- Publish to marketplace
- Join Workforce Cloud
- Receive payments
- Participate in governance
Who it's for: Everyone. This is where most people start.
Layer 2: Biometrically Bound
v0.2Your identity is anchored to you, biologically.
Layer 2 binds your passport to your unique biological characteristics through a separate biometric capture (not just device Face ID). This ensures one human = one passport with mathematical certainty.
Privacy: Your biometrics never leave your device. We store only a one-way hash — impossible to reverse into biometric data.
What you can do
- Everything in Layer 1
- Join Workforce Cloud
- Publish agents handling sensitive data
- Access premium capabilities
Requires upgrade
- Participate in governance
- Issue attestations for others
Who it's for: Anyone who wants to participate in the workforce or handle sensitive operations.
Layer 3: Socially Attested
v0.3Humans who know you vouch for you.
Layer 3 adds a web of trust. Other verified humans attest to your identity, creating a decentralized verification network. This is how communities have verified identity for thousands of years, now cryptographically formalized.
What you can do
- Everything in Layer 2
- Participate in governance
- Issue attestations for others
- Access high-trust operations
Requires upgrade
- Certain regulatory compliance operations
Who it's for: Active community members who want to participate in governance and help verify others.
Layer 4: Cryptographically Unique
v1.0Mathematical proof that you are one of one.
Layer 4 is the ultimate verification: a zero-knowledge proof of personhood. Using ZK-SNARKs, you prove you are a unique human without revealing any personal information. This is the gold standard of identity verification.
What you can do
- Everything in Layer 3
- All capabilities unlocked
- Maximum trust level across the ecosystem
Who it's for: Those who want the strongest possible identity guarantee.
Identity Tiers
A parallel track to verification layers. Identity tiers verify who you are, while verification layers verify that you're a real, unique human.
Tier 0: Anonymous
No organizational or personal verification.
Tier 1: Org Verified
Your organization has verified your identity through enterprise SSO or domain email.
Tier 2: KYC Verified
Government ID + liveness check. Required for financial operations.
Tier 3: Credential Verified
Professional credentials (degrees, certifications, licenses) have been verified.
When Do I Need to Upgrade?
Verification gates appear at natural interaction points. You're never nagged — you only see an upgrade prompt when you try to do something that needs it.
| Action | Required Layer | Required Tier | Message |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Companion | 1 | 0 | Just works |
| Build/test (sandbox) | 1 | 0 | No gates, go build |
| Publish to marketplace | 1 | 1 | Accountability for shared code |
| Join Workforce Cloud | 2 | 0 | Task matching needs person verification |
| Premium workforce tasks | 2 | 1 | High-value tasks need higher trust |
| Receive payments | 2 | 2 | Financial compliance |
| Governance participation | 3 | 1 | Decisions need verified humans |
| Issue attestations | 3 | 1 | Vouching requires trusted identity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to verify immediately?
No. You start at Layer 1 (Device Verified) by default — the passkey ceremony during registration handles that. You only need to upgrade when you want to access capabilities that require higher trust.
Can I lose my verification if I don't use it?
Verification layers don't expire by default. Some identity tiers (like KYC) may have refresh requirements based on regulatory needs.
Is my biometric data stored on HUMΛN servers?
Never. For Layer 2, we store only a cryptographic hash derived from your biometric data. The hash is one-way — it cannot be reversed into biometric information.
What if I lose my device?
HUMΛN Passport supports recovery flows. Your verification status is preserved — you just need to re-authenticate from a new device.
Can I downgrade my verification?
You can revoke specific verifications, but this may lock you out of capabilities that require them. The system will warn you before any downgrade.