Buenos Aires Introduces QuarkID: A Revolutionary Blockchain-Based Identification System

Buenos Aires is stepping into the future with the introduction of a cutting-edge identity solution, QuarkID, leveraging Blockchain and ZK technology. This innovative system ensures that citizens can securely consolidate their credentials.

The inhabitants of Buenos Aires are on the brink of reclaiming control over their personal information with this novel digital identification solution that incorporates Blockchain technology. The municipal government of Buenos Aires is rolling out this digital ID system, which employs blockchain technology and ZK accumulative packets for the secure storage of personal documents.

The initiative is propelled by QuarkID, a decentralized digital identity protocol and a wallet application, developed by the Argentine startup Extrimian and endorsed by the city’s government. It utilizes zkSync Era from Matter Labs as its foundational protocol, facilitating the wallets that individuals will utilize to acquire their documents.

Starting October, Buenos Aires’ citizens will have access to this solution, allowing them to download the wallet application to their mobile devices and claim essential personal identification documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, securely.

Leveraging Advanced ZK Technology

The system employs ZkSync Era, a Layer 2 network by Matter Labs, utilizing zero-knowledge proofs (ZK) to amalgamate transactions and register them on the Ethereum network.

QuarkID is designed to centralize credentials securely, enabling individuals to manage both their public and private credentials efficiently. This could potentially include driving licenses, student IDs, health insurance credentials, and bank cards, all consolidated in one secure location.

Diego Fernández, the Secretary of Innovation and Digital Transformation of the Government of Buenos Aires, emphasized in a statement, “Buenos Aires is setting a global and regional precedent by integrating and advocating this novel technology, establishing how other countries in the region should leverage Blockchain technology to benefit their people.”

These credentials, described as “verified credentials,” are issued from Buenos Aires’ local government platform directly to the wallet, as elucidated by Pablo Mosquella, COO of Extrimian. These are stored on the individual’s device, accessible only to the user, who can then present proof of such documentation in various situations.

Mosquella explained, “Initially, the document will act as an alternative to the original paper documents, not a replacement,” anticipating a complete digital transition “over time.”

A Trailblazing Identity System in Latin America

The city government plans to incorporate more official identity-related credentials in QuarkID in the upcoming months. From November, citizens will also be able to download and store income vouchers, academic attendance certificates, and benefit application documents in the wallet.

The city aims to enroll its 2.5 million citizens in using QuarkID wallets, with plans to extend this Blockchain identity solution gradually to every citizen in the city and, eventually, nationwide.

Guillermo Villanueva, CEO of Extrimian, highlighted that the technology is structured to scale globally, anticipating the system’s expansion to other cities in Latin America in the forthcoming years. “This marks a monumental stride towards establishing a secure and efficient future for governmental services in Latin America,” Villanueva stated.

QuarkID is poised to fortify the bond between the government and its citizens, bringing advanced digital identity practices and security standards to the region.