Buenos Aires rolls out blockchain-based ID for 3.6M residents

As a seasoned analyst with a decade of experience in the tech and blockchain industry, I find the move by Buenos Aires to implement blockchain technology for digital identities truly inspiring. Having witnessed the evolution of this technology from its infancy, I’ve seen its potential to transform various sectors, and government services are no exception.


Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, plans to utilize blockchain technology and a form of encryption called zero-knowledge cryptography to manage the distribution of digital identities.

Based on news from local outlets, the government revealed on October 21st that they have incorporated the decentralized identity system QuarkID into their miBA digital platform. This platform is used by the city to provide access to government services and documents.

Beginning October 1st, over 3.6 million users of miBA have been issued secure decentralized digital identities (DIDs) through QuarkID, a digital identity system developed by Web3 company Extrimian. The QuarkID wallet operates on ZKsync Era, an Ethereum scaling solution that employs zero-knowledge rollups for enhanced security.

As a crypto investor, I find it exciting that the government of Buenos Aires is leading the way in digital identity management by empowering 3.6 million residents with more control over their personal data. This innovative move not only sets a new standard for privacy and security but also positions the city at the forefront of this essential aspect in today’s digital age.

Over the last few years, Buenos Aires has been progressively implementing blockchain projects. Notably, in September 2023, the city declared its intention to digitalize birth and marriage certificates using blockchain technology, with plans to subsequently include proof of income and educational records.

Diego Fernández, the secretary for innovation and digital transformation in Buenos Aires, commented on the significant blockchain-driven advancements in financial services. However, this particular initiative underscores how blockchain technology could transform other sectors, like government services, by enabling citizens to securely manage their data with autonomy.

Fernández explained that by empowering residents to manage their own identities, we’re not just enhancing privacy and safety, but also paving the way for an era where personal data ownership is considered a fundamental human right, safeguarded by cutting-edge cryptographic techniques known as zero-knowledge proofs.

As a crypto investor, I was particularly intrigued by an innovative move that aimed at enhancing the educational system in Buenos Aires. In August, they introduced Ethereum training within their high schools, providing some students with lessons in Solidity – a programming language essential for creating Decentralized Applications (DApps) on Ethereum.

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2024-10-22 21:37