Online users are immersing their digital identity in numerous digital services, and many are related to either their real-life identity, their financial data or both.
With increasing risks posed by the lack of transparency of services, Civic offers a solution in the form of an identity management service, where users can regain ownership over their digital identity and data.
What is Civic (CVC)?
Civic is an identity management service, and it strives to become the ultimate user data protection tool.
As it stands today, it is a blockchain-based identity management service. As users gain awareness of their online reach and the spread of personal sensitive data, a tool such as Civic aims to protect and help users regain control over their digital identity in real time.
Civic (CVC) token is a fixed supply blockchain token that is used to incentivise participants in the Civic ecosystem and purchase services.
With an increasing amalgam of online information and digital footsteps, online users need a way to regain control over their digital footprint. And this is where Civic steps in as the most comprehensive solution that exists today.
The tool stands out as a way for digital services to also connect and verify their digital users and link them to their real identities.
How does Civic work?
Civic is a blockchain-based identity verification solution designed to give real individuals control over their personal data that gets transferred online while ensuring secure and efficient identity management for businesses.
The Civic app allows users to create their verified digital identity. The app uses a form of ID to establish and verify the identity of the user (e.g., passport or national ID).
To minimise data breach risks and maintain a high level of privacy, the verified identity data is stored on the user’s device and not on centralised servers.
The most important aspect of Civic is that it uses blockchain technology to verify identities without sharing sensitive data. Instead, businesses get a cryptographic confirmation of a user’s identity.
To mediate between all the parties involved in this exchange of trust and information, Civic has its own native token, the Civic Token (CVC), which is used as a payment medium between the service providers, verifiers and users.
Use cases and Civic products
Civic is an onboarding and authentication service used by Web3 applications to streamline digital processes that involve dealing with real-life users and identities.
The main use cases for the Civic tool are the authentication (Civic Auth) and verification service (Civic Pass). These are the two root cases that can be then personalised to suit different digital services to connect to their users.
With hundreds of customers, the Civic team has helped projects with the following use cases:
- Agentic AI
- Airdrops
- Communities and Airdrops
- Decentralised Finance (DeFi)
- Gaming and GameFi (gaming and decentralised finance)
- NFTs (non-fungible tokens)
- Real-world assets
- Smart Contract Development
What is Civic Auth?
The Civic Auth is a secure and fast way to integrate user authentication into Web3 applications.
The tool is intended to be used by Web3 application developers, and it offers an integrated login, adaptable onboarding for a familiar user experience, embedded wallets that are created automatically and multichain support (EVM-compatible blockchains).
What is Civic Pass?
The Civis Pass is a tool intended to be used by the end user, the individuals who tie their real-life identities to Web3 applications. This is a service designed to protect the user’s blockchain financial activities.
The credit report alert, identity fraud coverage and 24/7 fraud support are all features to assist individuals in protecting their finances from any potential security breach or fraud.
Security
Civic complies with leading security and privacy standards to ensure that users’ personal data and digital identities are protected both legally and technically.
GDPR compliance
Civic adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a stringent EU data protection law, by implementing:
- Data minimisation. Only essential personal data is collected and processed, reducing risk exposure.
- Data protection by design. Civic incorporates privacy safeguards at every step of system design to ensure secure handling of data.
- User rights. Users retain full control over their personal data, with rights including access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, and data portability.
- Breach protocols: Civic has established procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to data breaches. Affected users and regulators are notified in compliance with GDPR timelines.
Secure data storage
- Personal data is stored in secure data centres with industry-grade safeguards.
- Access control, encryption, and monitoring are enforced to prevent unauthorised access, leaks, or tampering.
- Civic follows best practices for protecting data at rest and in transit.
Decentralized identity (W3C/DID standard)
- Civic’s identity solution is built on the W3C Decentralised Identifier (DID) standard, promoting interoperability and tamper resistance.
- This ensures self-sovereign identity, portability and data Privacy.
Tokenomics
The identity-focused services provided by Civic function as an entire ecosystem based on the Civic token (CVC), which incentivises the identity-related transactions. Civic was launched in 2018.
The CVC token is used to be paid when a transaction is distributed to the Validator and User, according to a proportion pre-set in the smart contract, which can be adjusted by consensus of the Ecosystem participants.
The goal is that the Civic ecosystem will expand to third-party identity-related service providers, and the services offered will be in exchange for the CVC tokens.
The CVC tokens can be purchased directly from Civic.
Some of the services that can be purchased in exchange for the CVC tokens are:
- Services to run personal background checks;
- Blockchain notary services, which would allow identity and document authenticity to be provable;
- Dark web monitoring and searches;
- Access to individual credit reports; and
- Peer-to-peer identity services.
Here’s a diagram of the different relationships between the participants in the Civic ecosystem.
Civic uses its own token, called CVC, to power transactions within its network. This brings several key benefits compared to using other existing cryptocurrencies:
- CVC can be used in many countries, offering a single, consistent way to settle payments.
- Because it’s based on blockchain, transactions can be completed automatically and securely through smart contracts.
- Having a dedicated token helps keep the system stable and protects it from the price swings that affect other cryptocurrencies.
- It also allows Civic to create reward systems that encourage more people to use the network and support its growth
There is a fixed supply of 1 billion CVC tokens. The tokens were issued on the Ethereum blockchain and are supported by popular wallets, such as Ledger, Coinbase and MetaMask.
Since June 2022, the CVC tokens have been in the custody of Anchorage Digital, a regulated full-service platform and infrastructure provider for digital assets.
The Civic team
Civic is led by a team of experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in blockchain, identity, and technology.
- CEO Chris Hart brings over 20 years of leadership in finance and operations, previously serving as CFO at major tech firms.
- CTO Daniel Kelleher, with a Ph.D. in computer science, has a decade of experience in blockchain and secure systems.
- Chief Product Officer JP Bedoya has led product teams at companies like Yahoo, LifeLock, and The Climate Corporation.
- VP of Go-To-Market Titus Capilnean has a strong track record in fintech and AI, contributing to global thought leadership on responsible tech use.
- VP of Engineering Kevin Colgan and Web3 Solutions Architect Tyrone Avnit bring deep expertise in blockchain development, identity systems, and Web3 architecture.
- Civic’s Business Development Manager Marian Esco combines 15 years of software experience with a passion for crypto and cypherpunk values.
You can find detailed information about all the team members on the Civic website and links to their professional social media channels.
Civic partnerships
Over the years, the Civic team has found valuable partners in the Web3 space, which have built services used to empower online users and safeguard their data.
I’ll describe some of the most notable partnerships and projects that are using Civic technologies.
Chainabuse
Chainabuse is a free, community-powered platform where crypto users can report scams, hacks, and other suspicious activity.
Created by TRM Labs and supported by major crypto companies, Chainabuse helps make the crypto space safer by allowing anyone to share warnings, review reports from others, and check wallet addresses or projects before getting involved.
It’s a multi-chain tool designed to centralise and track fraud reports in one public, searchable database.
Polygon ID
Polygon ID is a decentralised identity platform that lets users share verified credentials while keeping their personal data private. Built with privacy and self-sovereignty in mind, it allows developers to create secure, trust-based connections between users and applications.
Through Civic’s integration with Polygon ID, anyone with a Civic Pass can now use their verified identity across the Polygon ecosystem. This partnership strengthens the decentralised identity layer in Web3, making it easier for users to prove they’re human, unique, or verified, without giving up control of their data.
Unique.vc
Unique.vc is a Web3 investment platform built on Solana that connects founders with angel investors, syndicates, and venture funds in a secure, trustless environment. It streamlines capital management through on-chain governance and automates key processes like fundraising and investment execution.
Through its integration with Civic Pass, Unique.vc enables identity verification for investors joining syndicates or fundraisers. This helps founders manage investor access based on specific criteria like location or KYC status, ensuring compliance while preserving decentralisation.
Rentality
Rentality, the first Web3 car rental platform, has partnered with Civic to bring secure, blockchain-based identity verification to car rentals on the Base network. By integrating Civic ID Verification Pass, Rentality allows users to verify their driver’s license and meet age requirements without in-person checks, streamlining the process while enhancing safety and compliance.
This partnership sets a new standard for trust in peer-to-peer marketplaces, enabling seamless, privacy-preserving KYC that meets regulatory needs and builds confidence between renters and vehicle owners.
Paydece
Paydece, a decentralised peer-to-peer platform for buying and selling stablecoins with fiat, has partnered with Civic to bring secure identity verification to its users. By integrating the Civic ID Verification Pass, Paydece can verify government-issued IDs, helping the platform comply with anti-money laundering regulations and protect users from scams.
Through this partnership, Paydece enhances safety without sacrificing decentralisation. Civic’s Web3-native, on-chain verification allows users to confirm their identity privately and seamlessly, supporting Paydece’s mission to build a trust-based, user-driven crypto marketplace.
Mautix
Mautix, a high-fidelity 3D virtual art gallery, has integrated Civic Pass to ensure secure, immersive digital exhibitions for artists, collectors, and NFT enthusiasts. Built with Unreal Engine 5, Mautix offers a visually rich, multiplayer experience where users can customise gallery spaces, showcase NFTs, and engage with others, mirroring real-world art exhibitions.
To buy, sell, or display NFTs in Mautix, users must connect a Civic Pass-verified Ethereum wallet, which protects against fraud and ensures regulatory compliance. This integration allows Mautix to prioritise artistic curation and security while supporting the future of digital ownership and exhibition culture.
Does Civic have a future in the space of Web3 and digital identity?
Civic Technologies has already established itself as a leader in the space of digital identities. The proposed Civic solutions represent a top application identity service that benefits from the trusted qualities of a secure and transparent blockchain network, which is impossible to fake.
The Civic coin (CVC) aims to constrain the fraud and abuse of any online activities about identity, empowering individual users in their online footprint, while also working with established Web3 applications to nurture this ecosystem.
The team is highly active in the Web3 space and consistently seeks new partnerships and media opportunities. I recommend following their X account to stay up-to-date with the latest Civic news.
My personal viewpoint is that any digital identity of real-world users should be used carefully and kept in the Web3 space, as it can lead to immense damage in the long run for both users and applications. Without the trust offered by a service like Civic provides, the Web3 space remains widely unmoderated, and many users might not be apt to interact with services they don’t understand. Therefore, I see Civic as a major player in the Web3 space, and I believe it has a great future in aiding us all navigate Web3 apps.