DID Projects 2024: Which Blockchain Identifiers Deserve Your Attention

When Sam Altman launched Worldcoin in 2023, he essentially awakened the sleeping sector of decentralized identifiers (DID). But what makes investors and developers pay attention to these projects? The simple answer: in the era of digitalization, everyone needs secure, transparent, and fully controllable identification. That is the essence of blockchain identity technology.

Why DID is more than just a trendy buzzword

Unlike traditional systems where Facebook, Google, or banks hold your personal information and decide who to show it to, decentralized identifiers give control back to you. You are the owner of your data. You are the administrator of your digital entity.

The mechanism is simple: a cryptographic key pair (public and private) becomes the foundation of your identity in Web3. The public key functions as an open ID, while the private key remains only with you — ensuring that no one can impersonate you or manage your assets.

On the blockchain, this process becomes even more reliable: each record is protected from alteration, there is no single point of failure, and no centralized storage that can be hacked.

DID in the crypto market: more than just data storage

For DeFi applications and crypto platforms, DID is the foundation of trust. When each transaction is linked to a verified identity (without revealing real personal information), fraud becomes virtually impossible. The risk of deception decreases, platforms become safer, and the audience grows.

In 2024, this is especially relevant: regulators require KYC/AML, but users want privacy. DID solves this dilemma.

Market leaders: which projects are already operational

Worldcoin: biometrics meet cryptography

Worldcoin (WLD) is the flagship of the industry. Iris scan, a unique World ID, integration on Ethereum, Optimism, and Polygon.

Current WLD data:

• Price: $0.49
• 24h change: -1.38%
• Market capitalization: $1.26B
• Daily trading volume: $1.63M

The smart idea behind Worldcoin: each person receives WLD only once. Biometrics guarantee this. The Tools for Humanity team is preparing World Chain — an Ethereum layer-2 network aimed at prioritizing human interaction over bots.

Pros: innovative approach, inclusivity, global scale
Cons: biometric data privacy concerns, challenges in mass adoption

Lifeform: 3D avatars as your identity

The company attracted $300M Series B funding (from IDG Capital as the lead). Previously raised $100M Series A and initial round. Nearly 3 million addresses already use the platform.

Lifeform creates hyper-realistic 3D avatars and links them to your Web3 identity. It’s not just an avatar in the metaverse — it’s your decentralized ID that works everywhere.

Strengths: reliable encryption, accessibility from anywhere, user-friendly UX
Weaknesses: requires specialized knowledge for implementation, cybersecurity risks, compatibility issues

$15M Polygon ID: privacy through zero-knowledge proofs

Uses zero-knowledge proofs ###ZKPs( — technology that allows proving something about yourself without revealing any details. Enter your password once on your device, and no further authentication is needed.

In February 2024, Human Institute, Polygon Labs, and Animoca Brands launched the ‘Humanity Protocol’ based on palm recognition. In April 2024, Polygon launched a full identification protocol based on ZKP.

Advantages: maximum privacy, scalability, Ethereum compatibility
Disadvantages: young product, integration challenges

) Ethereum Name Service: human-readable names instead of addresses

Forget long hexadecimal addresses like “0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc1e4e0b6e6d59”. Use simply “alice.eth”.

February 2024: ENS signed an agreement with GoDaddy to connect ENS names to web domains. April 2024: integrated ICANN-approved .box domains — the first on-chain TLD on the platform.

Pros: easy to use, widespread community adoption, versatility
Cons: Ethereum limitations, scalability issues

Space ID: unified identity across all blockchains

Space ID allows registering domain names on multiple blockchains simultaneously. One ID — many applications: trading, lending, NFT minting.

Advantages: cross-chain functionality, convenience, broad applicability
Disadvantages: competition with other services, limited adoption outside the crypto community

Galxe: reputation as a currency

Galxe is building a decentralized credential network where your reputation is a digital asset. Uses account data to create verifiable credentials in Web3.

Works well for reputation systems, access management, DAO governance.

Strengths: innovative data application, huge potential
Weaknesses: early development stage, complexity for mass understanding

Main challenges facing DID

1. Migration from old systems requires a revolution

Transitioning from Facebook/Google/banks to decentralization isn’t a one-click process. New technologies, laws, and user mindsets are needed.

2. Cryptography is complex

Managing private keys is a responsibility that scares ordinary people. Losing a key = losing access to your identity. Forever.

3. Balancing privacy and regulation

Governments want to know who is doing what ###KYC/AML(. Users want to stay anonymous. DID must find this golden middle ground.

) 4. Technical interoperability between networks
Blockchain identity must work everywhere, but blockchains speak different languages. Interoperability is like solving a 3D puzzle.

What the future holds

More integrations: DeFi, NFT marketplaces, DAOs — DID will appear everywhere

Super privacy: zero-knowledge proofs and biometrics will become standard

Cross-chain everywhere: one ID across all blockchains will cease to be a dream

Law compliance without compromises: DID will help meet KYC/AML requirements while preserving privacy

Beyond crypto: IoT, healthcare, e-government — blockchain identity could appear everywhere

Summary

Decentralized identifiers are not just hype. They are the infrastructure of the future. Control over personal data, transparency, and security are what everyone seeks in the digital world. Projects like Worldcoin, Lifeform, Polygon ID, and ENS are already building this world. The only question is how quickly the rest of the world will adapt to it.