zkKYC: the New Frontier of Crypto Privacy

Tria has announced the integration of zkKYC, a solution for enhanced privacy and identity verification based on zero-knowledge proof, developed by Billions and already validated by giants like HSBC and Deutsche Bank.

Tria, a Web3 neobank that has just raised 12 million dollars to develop decentralized payment infrastructures.

The issue of financial security is proving more complex than ever. With the growth of the sector, new threats are emerging: compliance itself, or the way identity verification processes are managed, is becoming a critical point.

Recent KYC (Know Your Customer) data leaks by major exchanges have fueled the black market for personal information, exposing users to risks of extortion and kidnapping. No one seems immune, as demonstrated by the latest exploit that hit Coinbase, with the data leak of over 70,000 users.

This climate of growing concern is pushing institutions to radically rethink identity verification methods.

zkKYC: Privacy and Compliance Without Compromise

A New Verification Model

The zkKYC technology represents a revolution: it allows verification of fundamental attributes like age, jurisdiction, or source of funds without ever exposing the user’s personal data. In other words, compliance is no longer a risk but a simple cryptographic proof. This system is based on zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), a methodology that allows confirming the truth of information without revealing its content.

According to Vijit Katta, co-founder and CEO of Tria,

A Response to Regulatory Pressures

Tria’s announcement comes at a crucial time: in the United States, a new legislation is being discussed, defined by many as a “Patriot Act for digital assets,” aiming to extend surveillance powers over the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem. In this scenario, zkKYC proposes itself as a reference model, capable of reconciling users’ privacy needs with regulators’ expectations.

Current blockchain networks, which also power stablecoin payments, make all transactions public. While this transparency ensures accountability, it also exposes users to the risk that anyone can trace their addresses and deduce spending habits, relationships, and personal behaviors.

For stablecoin and digital payments to achieve true mass adoption, it is necessary to offer users the certainty that their financial life is not under everyone’s eyes, while ensuring the compliance required by authorities.

Billions and the Growth of the Zero-Knowledge Ecosystem

A Technology Validated by Financial Giants

Billions, the network that developed zkKYC, was born with the goal of scaling trust in the era of artificial intelligence, focusing on mobile-first and privacy-preserving technologies. Founded by the same creators of Disco.xyz, Hermez, and Polygon, Billions now powers over 9,000 identity and zero-knowledge proof projects, collaborating with entities like Sentient, TikTok, HSBC, and the Indian government.

Since its launch in February 2025, the network has surpassed 2 million users, supporting use cases ranging from the public sector to enterprise, to Web3 infrastructure and asset tokenization.

Evin McMullen, co-founder and CEO of Billions Network, emphasizes:

A New Standard for Decentralized Finance

After the successes of pilot projects with HSBC and Sony Bank, Tria is the first neobank to have fully integrated zkKYC, paving the way for broader adoption of zero-knowledge tools in the Web3 ecosystem.

The integration of zkKYC by Tria represents an important precedent: compliance is incorporated at the protocol level, allowing borderless access to financial services and meeting new regulatory expectations.

Industry experts see zero-knowledge technologies as essential for balancing user protection with regulatory clarity. Tria’s approach demonstrates that it is possible to build decentralized financial infrastructures that respect privacy without sacrificing the transparency required by regulators.

ZkKYC: The Future of Privacy in Crypto

The increasing attention of regulators on anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC in the world of digital assets makes it even more urgent to find solutions that do not compromise data sovereignty. zkKYC proposes itself as a blueprint for all those projects operating in an environment where transparency is mandatory, but privacy protection remains indispensable.

With the integration of zkKYC, Tria positions itself as a pioneer among native Web3 financial institutions, offering secure and private access to financial services globally. The adoption of these technologies is destined to grow, marking a turning point for the entire sector.

Tria thus confirms itself at the forefront in building a decentralized and privacy-preserving financial infrastructure, while Billions continues to expand its ecosystem, supported by leading investors like Polychain, Coinbase Ventures, Liberty City Ventures, and BITKRAFT. In an era where trust and privacy are more valuable than ever, zkKYC represents the concrete response to the challenges of new digital finance.