Galxe Protocol: Empowering Users with Self-Sovereign Identity and Data Ownership

Introduction

Galxe Protocol is revolutionizing the way credentials are issued and verified in the Web3 world, empowering users with self-sovereign identity and complete control over their private data. In this article, we will explore the concept of credentials, the challenges associated with data ownership in the Web2 world, and how Galxe Protocol addresses these challenges. We will also delve into the technical aspects of Galxe Protocol, its major roles, and its chain-agnostic components. Additionally, we will discuss various scenarios where Galxe Protocol can be applied and how it solves the problem of digital identity multiplicity. Lastly, we will explore the vision of Galxe Protocol, which focuses on decentralizing roles and integrating third-party entities.

What are Credentials?

Credentials are proofs of eligibility that exist in our everyday lives. They can take various forms such as keys, certificates, deeds, licenses, and more. In the context of onchain activities, credentials represent our achievements and value, as well as our unique onchain identity. For example, credentials can include your contribution to a protocol's liquidity pool, your on-chain voting history, and your participation in a Galxe Campaign.
However, credentials are not limited to onchain activities. In the Web2 world, our behavioral data, such as our interactions on social media and browsing history, can also be considered as credentials. Companies like Google and Meta use this data to target us with personalized advertisements. The problem is that we do not own this data and have no control over how it is used or shared.

Galxe Protocol aims to change this paradigm by providing a permissionless self-sovereign identity infrastructure. Through the use of Zero-Knowledge Proof, users can securely and privately own, manage, and share verifiable credentials.

Data Ownership and Self-Sovereign Identity
One of the key benefits of Galxe Protocol is that it gives users ownership of their identity and private data. This includes assets such as followers on social media, avatars, and achievements in games. With Galxe Protocol, users have the power to decide when, what, and how their data is used because they truly own it.
In the Web3 world, you won't need a notary to prove that your house belongs to you or send your entire bank statement to prove your financial status. Galxe Protocol enables you to selectively disclose relevant information for specific verification instances under a deterministic pseudonymous identity. This empowers you to maintain privacy while still providing proof of your credentials.

The Technical Aspects of Galxe Protocol

At its core, Galxe Protocol consists of a series of smart contracts deployed onchain and SDK tools that allow developers to build and utilize these contracts for issuing and authenticating credentials offchain. The protocol revolves around four major roles: Credential Holder, Issuer, Verifier, and Credential Type Designer.

• The Credential Holder is the user who possesses the credentials and has the ability to selectively disclose them.
• The Issuer is responsible for verifying and issuing credentials to eligible participants.
• The Verifier has the authority to specify a programmable trust schema and use the protocol for applications requiring access control.
• Lastly, the Credential Type Designer designs and proposes new credential types.

To establish a credential, two parts are required: the context and the credential type. The context defines the conditions or requirements, while the credential type determines the format of the credential. For example, the context could be whether a person is over 21 years old, and the credential type could be a boolean value (yes or no).

Galxe Protocol is chain-agnostic, meaning it can be implemented on various blockchain networks. This allows for a sustainable system that caters to all roles involved.

Scenarios and Use Cases

Let's explore some scenarios where Galxe Protocol can be applied:

• Social Media Verification: As an active social media user, you can verify and disclose your identity and interests, ensuring that your data is used for targeted advertising only if you choose to share it.
• Gaming Achievements: If you're a gamer, Galxe Protocol allows you to own and control your in-game achievements. You can choose to disclose these credentials to other games and advertisers in exchange for benefits such as limited edition items or in-game rewards.
• Age Verification: Instead of showing your ID with all your personal information, Galxe Protocol enables you to prove your age to an alcohol vendor using a verified credential that only reveals the necessary information, ensuring privacy.

These examples illustrate how Galxe Protocol empowers users to maintain control over their data and credentials, allowing for more privacy and personalized experiences.

Solving the Digital Identity Multiplicity Problem

In the digital world, individuals often have multiple identities across different platforms. This introduces a challenge in designing a credential protocol: which identity should be used for credentialing? Galxe Protocol addresses this problem by allowing users to connect all their identities to create a comprehensive profile without compromising privacy.

By integrating the various identities, users can generate Zero-Knowledge Proofs against the comprehensive profile without revealing any private information to third parties. This ensures that connections between accounts and other sensitive information remain confidential.

The Vision of Galxe Protocol: Decentralizing Roles
Galxe Protocol envisions breaking down the roles currently embodied by Galxe, allowing independent entities to assume one or more of these roles. This decentralization fosters a dynamic ecosystem that extends the Galxe experience beyond its core platform.

Third parties are encouraged to design their own credential types, expanding the range of options available to users. Instead of relying solely on Galxe to introduce new credential types, external entities can propose and design them. Galxe or other platforms can then choose to support and integrate these new credential types, promoting flexibility and innovation.

Furthermore, Galxe Protocol allows for role assumption flexibility, enabling other entities to selectively take on roles based on specific use cases. For instance, Galxe may play the role of an issuer for certain credentials while leaving the verification process to another entity.

Why Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP)?

Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is a key cryptographic method employed by Galxe Protocol. Here are the reasons behind choosing ZKP:

• Selective Disclosure: ZKPs allow users to prove specific achievements or qualifications without revealing unnecessary or sensitive information. For example, gamers can prove their rank in a game without disclosing their entire gameplay history.
• Proof with Anonymity: ZKPs enable participants to prove their reputation or eligibility without revealing their identities or specific aspects that contributed to their scores. This ensures privacy while still allowing for verification.
• Efficiency and Security: As Galxe Protocol integrates with more platforms and supports a growing number of credential types, the demand for verification can increase exponentially.

ZKPs, particularly zk-SNARKs, ensure that the verification process remains efficient and secure, even with a substantial volume of credentials.

Conclusion

Galxe Protocol is revolutionizing the way credentials are issued and verified in the Web3 world, giving users ownership of their identity and private data. Through the use of Zero-Knowledge Proof, Galxe Protocol enables users to securely and privately manage and share their credentials.

By decentralizing roles and embracing third-party entities, Galxe Protocol aims to create a dynamic ecosystem that extends beyond its core platform.

With Galxe Protocol, users can enjoy self-sovereign identity, data ownership, and enhanced privacy in the digital world. Join the waitlist and be part of the future with Galxe Protocol!

Source https://docs.galxe.com/protocol/introduction