3.6M Buenos Aires Citizens to Receive ZK-Based Digital IDs

posted  23 Oct 2024
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, became the first city in the world to issue decentralized IDs to all of its 3.6 million citizens. 

The city integrated QuarkID, a decentralized identity solution powered by Ethereum layer 2 scaling solution ZKsync, for the initiative. 
The IDs are created based on blockchain and zero-knowledge cryptography to offer citizens more control over their personal data along with privacy and security. 

Argentina announced launching its blockchain ID system around a year ago, in October 2023. 

Users of MiBA, the digital platform of Buenos Aires for government services and documents, started to receive their own decentralized digital identity (DID) through QuarkID's wallet from the beginning of October 2024. 

This way, government certificates move to the blockchain, allowing people to access, store, and share their birth certificates, tax documents, and other credentials. 

ZKsync mentioned in a press release that with the upgrade Buenos Aires citizens can access blockchain benefits like security and interoperability without the need to know about blockchain or zero-knowledge cryptography. Processes are simplified for users and don’t include seed phrases. 

Argentinian citizens shared their views on the news on X. @ZKMessirve wrote: 
Having my ID and passport securely stored on my phone has been huge for peace of mind. I don't have to worry about carrying physical documents, losing them, or having them damaged. Everything is safe, accessible, and always with me.
ZKsync said beyond government use cases QuarkID is supposed to empower other use cases, including finance, healthcare, sports, and others.