VeryAI Raises $10M Led by Polychain Capital to Launch Palm-Scan Identity System on Solana
Key Takeaways
- ▸VeryAI raised $10M to build a palm-scan identity system on Solana, addressing the challenge of distinguishing real users from AI-generated accounts in crypto platforms
- ▸The system uses zero-knowledge proofs and converts biometric data into irreversible encrypted signatures, enabling privacy-preserving verification without storing identifiable information
- ▸Palm biometrics offer advantages over facial recognition as they are less publicly exposed and highly distinctive, reducing risks of deepfakes and synthetic identity fraud
Summary
VeryAI, a startup focused on biometric identity verification, has secured $10 million in seed funding led by Polychain Capital to develop a palm-scan based identity system designed to combat AI-generated accounts and synthetic identities on blockchain platforms. The smartphone-based solution records identity attestations on Solana and uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable users to verify their human status across platforms without revealing personal information. By converting palm images into encrypted biometric signatures that cannot be reverse-engineered, VeryAI aims to provide a privacy-preserving alternative to traditional identity verification methods.
The platform is positioned to address growing security risks in crypto ecosystems, including sybil attacks, fake accounts farming token incentives, and impersonation scams. VeryAI is already partnering with organizations including MEXC, Colosseum, Clique, and Talus, with additional centralized exchanges and wallets preparing integration. The funding round also included investments from the Berggruen Institute and Anagram, with Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, joining as an angel investor.
This development reflects broader industry interest in proof-of-human systems as AI capabilities advance. Other projects like World, co-founded by Sam Altman, are pursuing similar goals through iris biometric verification, though such approaches have faced privacy criticism from advocates.
- Growing demand for proof-of-human systems reflects concerns about AI-powered bots and deepfakes eroding trust across blockchain and internet platforms
Editorial Opinion
VeryAI's approach to identity verification represents a thoughtful balance between security and privacy in an era of advancing AI-generated content. The use of palm biometrics and zero-knowledge proofs on Solana offers a compelling technical solution to crypto's sybil attack problem, though widespread adoption will depend on user acceptance of biometric data collection. As AI-generated deepfakes and bots become increasingly sophisticated, proof-of-human systems like VeryAI will likely become essential infrastructure for maintaining trust in digital ecosystems.
