Originally published on: October 22, 2024
In a groundbreaking move, Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, has introduced blockchain technology and zero-knowledge cryptography to issue digital identities to its residents.
Reports from local media reveal that on Oct. 21, the city government integrated QuarkID, a decentralized identity solution, into the miBA digital platform. This platform allows residents to access various government services and documents securely.
Since Oct. 1, more than 3.6 million active users of miBA have received decentralized digital identities (DIDs) secured by QuarkID, a digital identity protocol developed by the Web3 firm Extrimian. The QuarkID wallet operates on ZKsync Era, an Ethereum scaling protocol that utilizes zero-knowledge rollups.
By offering residents greater control over their personal data, Buenos Aires is leading the way in privacy and security for digital identity management, as per a statement by the Buenos Aires government.
This initiative is part of Buenos Aires’ broader efforts to leverage blockchain technology for various services. In 2023, the city announced plans to store birth and marriage certificates on the blockchain, with future plans to include proof of income and academic records.
Diego Fernández, the secretary of innovation and digital transformation of Buenos Aires, emphasized the potential of blockchain to revolutionize government services by empowering citizens to securely own their data.
Data stored in QuarkID wallets is self-sovereign, allowing citizens to manage their credentials when dealing with the government, businesses, and other parties. This approach enhances privacy and security while establishing personal data ownership as a fundamental right.
Buenos Aires has also integrated Ethereum training into its high school curriculum, offering students classes in Solidity, a programming language used to develop decentralized applications on Ethereum.
This innovative approach not only highlights the city’s commitment to technological advancement but also sets a new standard for digital identity management worldwide. Subscribe to our Markets Outlook newsletter for more insights and updates on groundbreaking developments in blockchain technology and beyond.