General Overview

1. What is Anima?

Anima is a decentralized identity protocol designed to combat bots and ensure that users in the Web3 ecosystem are unique individuals. Through innovative technologies such as Proof of Personhood (PoP) and Souldbound NFTs, Anima allows users to establish their uniqueness and humanity onchain, in a private and secure manner. Anima's goal is to create a more transparent and trustworthy crypto environment where users can engage without the risk of impersonation or fraud and where genuine behavior are rewarded.

2. What is a Reputation NFT?

The concept of Soulbound NFTs is central to Anima. For us, a Soulbound NFT (SBT) is a non-transferable NFT that represents a user’s verified Humanity and unicity on-chain. At Anima, users mint Reputation NFTs after completing a Proof of Personhood (PoP) challenge, proving their uniqueness. Since the NFT is non-transferable, it’s bound to that user’s wallet, ensuring they cannot sell or transfer it to someone else. This makes the SBT the perfect vehicle to build reputation, as it grows alongside the user's activity in the ecosystem. By keeping these NFTs non-transferable, Anima makes sure that the reputation a user builds is authentic, reflecting their genuine behavior, and can’t be bought or sold.

3. What is decentralized identity?

Decentralized identity refers to a digital identity model that enables individuals to control their personal information without relying on centralized authorities. Users can manage their identities, credentials, and reputation on blockchain networks, granting them the power to share or withhold data as they see fit. This approach enhances privacy, security, and user autonomy in digital interactions.

4. What is Anima’s approach to Web3 identity?

Anima addresses the unresolved challenges of Web3 identity by moving beyond traditional, siloed systems focused on compliance, like KYC. Instead, Anima’s approach centers on onchain reputation and Sybil resistance to create a more user-centric identity.

Rather than relying on ID documents or wallets as identifiers, Anima uses Proof of Personhood (PoP) to prevent bots and Sybil attacks. This method ensures that each user is genuine while maintaining privacy. By focusing on behavioral patterns and interactions rather than capital, Anima unlocks trust-based, privacy-preserving interactions that enable more inclusive participation in Web3, including airdrops, voting, DeFi, and governance.

5. What is a Proof of Personhood (PoP)?

A Proof of Personhood (PoP) is a mechanism designed to verify that a user is a unique, real human being, without requiring personal data or traditional identity documents. In Web3, PoP is crucial for preventing Sybil attacks, where bad actors create multiple identities (or wallets) to exploit systems like token airdrops, voting, and community rewards.

The Proof of Personhood (PoP) is a process that verifies each user as a unique human being. In Anima’s system, the PoP begins with a biometric check to ensure the user's liveness and authenticity. After this, the user's biometric data is transformed into a FaceGraph—a unique, non-biometric proxy. The biometric data is never stored; instead, the encrypted FaceGraph is used to verify that the user is unique across the system. This ensures Sybil resistance while maintaining privacy, as the FaceGraph cannot be traced back to the user’s face or biometric data.

6. What is a Face graph?

A FaceGraph is a unique, non-biometric proxy generated from a user’s biometric data during a Proof of Personhood (PoP) challenge. While the biometric data is used to create the FaceGraph, it is never stored. The FaceGraph is encrypted and serves as a way to confirm that the user is unique without revealing any personal information. Importantly, it cannot be reversed back to the user’s face or any biometric data, ensuring privacy and Sybil resistance.

7. What is and how to define onchain reputation?

Onchain reputation refers to the digital credibility a user builds through their actions and interactions recorded on the blockchain. It reflects a user's behavior, contributions, and engagement, and is often tied to a Reputation NFT. Onchain reputation is critical for building trust in decentralized environments, as it is both transparent and immutable.

Onchain reputation can be based on several factors, including:

• Transaction history: Frequency and type of transactions, such as participation in DeFi protocols or NFT trading.

• Governance participation: Voting records in decentralized governance processes or DAOs.

• Interaction with dApps: Level of engagement and activity across decentralized applications.

• Token holdings and staking: How long and how much a user stakes or holds specific tokens within a protocol.

• Contribution to the community: Activity in forums, social tokens earned, or on-chain verifiable contributions to projects.

These factors together create a transparent, verifiable record that defines the user’s reputation, making it valuable for a wide range of use cases like airdrops, governance, and trusted participation in Web3 ecosystems.

8. How does Anima Reputation NFT work?

Anima Reputation NFT operates by allowing users to undergo biometric verification to establish their identity. Once verified, users can mint a Reputation NFT that reflects their unique identity and reputation. The protocol uses PoP to ensure that each user is a real individual, preventing bots and fraudulent accounts. Users can then utilize their Reputation NFTs across various platforms to access services and participate in decentralized activities.

9. What can I do if I have an error message?

If you encounter an error message while using Anima's services, you can reach out to the support team through the platform’s help desk or community channels by creating a ticket on Discord. Provide details about the error, including screenshots and descriptions, to facilitate a quicker resolution.

10. Does Anima have a token?

We will soon release ANMAs so stay tuned.

Identity & Privacy

11. How can I prove I’m human without giving my personal data?

You can prove your humanity through Anima's Proof of Personhood solution, which uses facial recognition technology to establish your identity. Appart form the biometric check, this process does not require you to share any personal data. It's also important to note that your biometric information is turned into a encrypted FaceGraph, non-biometric proxy generated from a user’s biometric data.

12. Did Anima store my Face Graph?

Yes, Anima stores your FaceGraph, but it is stored securely on a decentralized data storage platform, StorJ. Your FaceGraph is encrypted with your wallet’s private key, ensuring only you can decrypt and access it. Additionally, it’s important to note that there is no biometric data within the FaceGraph—it’s a non-biometric proxy created from your biometric data, so your privacy remains fully protected.

13. Why does Anima use biometric verification?

Anima uses biometric verification to ensure that each user is a unique human being, enhancing trust and preventing Sybil attacks. Biometric verification provides a fast, reliable, and scalable way to prove uniqueness without requiring personal identity documents. Unlike other systems that may rely on physical hardware like orbs (e.g., Worldcoin), Anima’s solution is easily accessible from both mobile and desktop platforms, making it more user-friendly.

The biometric verification, developed by FaceTech, ensures high security and accuracy while maintaining privacy. No personal identity data is stored, and only the FaceGraph—a non-biometric proxy—remains encrypted on decentralized storage. This approach balances privacy, security, and usability, making it ideal for verifying uniqueness in a decentralized, chain-agnostic manner.

14. How does Anima ensure privacy despite using biometric data?

Anima ensures privacy by converting biometric data into a FaceGraph, a non-biometric proxy that represents your uniqueness without storing any of your biometric information. During the Proof of Personhood (PoP) process, biometric data is used to verify that you're a real person, but this data is not stored. Instead, the biometric data is converted into the FaceGraph, which is then encrypted using your wallet’s private key and stored on a decentralized platform (StorJ).

The FaceGraph itself cannot be reverse-engineered to reveal your biometric data or your face, ensuring that your privacy remains fully intact while still allowing Anima to confirm your uniqueness. This privacy-preserving approach allows Anima to maintain both security and anonymity in its identity verification process.

15. How does Anima verify that users are unique and real?

Anima verifies that users are unique and real through a biometric verification process as part of its Proof of Personhood (PoP) system. First, users undergo a liveness and biometric check to confirm they are human. Then, the biometric data is transformed into a FaceGraph, a non-biometric proxy that uniquely represents the user. This FaceGraph is encrypted and stored, ensuring each user has a single, unique identity across the platform.

By using FaceTech's biometric security technology and a decentralized storage solution, Anima ensures that each user is real and cannot create multiple identities. This method prevents Sybil attacks and builds a trustworthy, bot-free ecosystem, all while protecting user privacy.

16. How does Anima protect user privacy?

Anima protects user privacy by ensuring that no personal or biometric data is stored. During the Proof of Personhood (PoP) process, biometric data is used to verify that a user is real, but this data is immediately transformed into a FaceGraph—a non-biometric proxy. The FaceGraph is then encrypted with the user's wallet private key and stored on a decentralized platform (StorJ), ensuring that it cannot be traced back to the original biometric data or the user's identity. This approach guarantees privacy while still allowing Anima to confirm the user's uniqueness.

17. What happens if I lose access to my wallet linked with Anima?

If you lose access to the wallet linked with your Anima account, it may impact your ability to access your Reputation NFT and related services. It is crucial to have backup recovery options for your wallet. If you cannot recover your wallet, you may need to contact Anima support for assistance, but recovery options may be limited due to the decentralized nature of the platform.

Reputation & NFTs

18. Why do I need a Reputation NFT?

A Reputation NFT is essential for establishing trust and credibility in Web3. It helps prove that you are a unique, real user, which protects you from being mistaken for bots or malicious actors.

With a Reputation NFT, you can participate in a variety of activities such as token airdrops, governance voting, and decentralized finance (DeFi) in a more trusted way. It enhances your standing in Web3 communities by providing a verifiable and immutable record of your contributions, making it easier to access exclusive opportunities while maintaining privacy and security.

19. What is the cost associated with using Anima services, like minting or upgrading NFTs?

The cost associated with using Anima services is $1 per chain to mint your Reputation NFT or to level it up on a new chain. Alternatively, you can mint your Reputation NFT across all supported chains for a one-time fee of $10. This pricing structure ensures that users can maintain their digital identities affordably while leveraging Anima's verification services.

20. Which blockchain does Anima support?

Anima supports the following blockchains: Linea, Polygon, BNB, Base, and Scroll. This compatibility allows users to engage with various decentralized applications across different ecosystems while maintaining their verified identities.

21. Can I change my wallet after minting the NFT?

No, you cannot change your wallet after minting the NFT because it is a Soulbound Token (SBT). However, you can link multiple wallets to your Anima dApp account. This allows you to use different wallets with various crypto projects while still proving that you are a unique and verified human.

22. How can I mint my Reputation NFT?

To mint your Reputation NFT, you need to complete the Proof of Personhood (PoP) process on the Anima dApp. This involves a biometric verification to confirm that you are a real and unique human being. Once the biometric check is completed and your FaceGraph (a non-biometric proxy) is created, you can mint your Reputation NFT. You can choose to mint on a single blockchain for $1 or across all supported chains for $10. The process is quick, secure, and can be done from both desktop and mobile platforms.

23. How can I use my Reputation NFT across different platforms?

The Reputation NFT is an on-chain NFT, so after minting, there’s nothing else to do.You can use your Reputation NFT to various platforms that recognize Anima’s anti-bot soulbound NFT. This interoperability allows you to prove your uniqueness and engage in decentralized activities across different ecosystems seamlessly.

24. What's the purpose of the Reputation NFT's level, and why should I increase it?

The Reputation NFT’s level serves as a measure of ongoing trust and commitment. Every two weeks, users can retake the Proof of Personhood (PoP) challenge to level up their NFT. This leveling system ensures that users consistently prove they are real, active participants, adding another layer of reliability and authenticity to their reputation.

As you level up, your Reputation NFT reflects a higher degree of verification and credibility.

Development & Integration

25. How can builders or dev integrate Anima's anti-bot solutions into their applications?

Builders and developers can integrate Anima's anti-bot solutions by accessing Anima's API and documentation available here. This allows them to incorporate our anti-bot solution into their applications, enhancing user engagement and security.

Challenges & Solutions in Web3

26. What challenges does Anima aim to solve in the current Web3 ecosystem?

Anima Protocol is on a mission to create bot-free, Sybil-resistant communities in the crypto space by focusing on Proof of Personhood and onchain reputation. Our solution targets a widespread problem: bots and Sybil attacks. These issues not only harm projects by distorting engagement metrics, but they also result in wasted marketing budgets. Through Proof of Personhood (PoP) and its Reputation NFT—a Soulbound NFT (SBT)—Anima ensures that only real, unique humans can claim rewards, contribute to a project’s ecosystem, and engage in governance, fostering more authentic communities.

While protocols and VCs often rely on MAU (Monthly Active Users) to measure adoption success, this metric is flawed in crypto due to the prevalence of bots. Anima is shifting the narrative by introducing a new reference metric: RAU (Real Active Users). With RAU, projects can track genuine engagement, ensuring that their success is measured by real human participation and not inflated by bots. Our goal is to empower projects to reward the real contributors, leaving the bots out of the equation.

27. What role does Anima see for decentralized identities in the future of online interactions?

Anima envisions decentralized identities playing a key role in creating more secure, private, and trustworthy online interactions. Unlike traditional identity systems that rely on central authorities or external documents, decentralized identities—such as those tied to Reputation NFTs—allow individuals to own and control their digital identity. This shifts power from centralized platforms to the users themselves.

In the future, decentralized identities will enable more transparent and verifiable participation across various online ecosystems, from governance and airdrops to social interactions and DeFi. They will help eliminate issues like bots, Sybil attacks, and identity fraud, fostering more genuine communities.

Airdrops & Sybil Resistance

28. How does Anima tackle the problem of bots in airdrops?

Anima tackles the problem of bots in airdrops by using its Proof of Personhood (PoP) system and Reputation NFTs to ensure that only real, unique humans can participate. The PoP process verifies that each user is a legitimate individual, preventing bots and fake accounts from exploiting airdrops.

By issuing Soulbound Reputation NFTs after the PoP challenge, Anima creates a permanent, non-transferable proof of a user's authenticity. Projects can then rely on these NFTs to distribute airdrops fairly, ensuring rewards go only to verified users, not bots. This approach enhances trust and prevents bots from inflating participation, protecting both the value of the airdrop and the integrity of the project.

29. What is a Sybil attack, and how does it affect airdrops?

A Sybil attack occurs when a malicious actor creates multiple fake identities to gain disproportionate influence or access within a network. In the context of airdrops, this can lead to the distribution of tokens to fraudulent accounts instead of genuine users. This undermines the fairness and integrity of the airdrop, as bots and fake identities can claim rewards multiple times, diluting the value for legitimate participants.

30. How can Anima prevent duplicate identities in decentralized finance (DeFi) and voting?

Anima prevents duplicate identities in decentralized finance (DeFi) and voting through its innovative Proof of Personhood (PoP) technology and Reputation NFTs. By utilizing biometric verification combined with privacy-preserving technology, Anima ensures that each user is a unique individual without requiring traditional KYC processes. Once verified, users mint a Reputation NFT, a non-transferable token that acts as proof of their uniqueness on-chain. This prevents users from creating multiple wallets or identities to manipulate DeFi systems or voting processes. Through these measures, Anima fosters a Sybil-resistant environment that ensures fairness and trust in decentralized ecosystems, effectively eliminating duplicate identities.

Projects & Partnerships

31. Which projects are currently using Anima for anti-bot verification and Sybil resistance?

Several projects are currently using Anima for anti-bot verification and Sybil resistance, including Phaver, Alpha Mind, Playbux, Linea, LibertAI, Nekodex, PrivadoID, Perpetual Protocol, StarkNet ID, Sunflower Land, The Sandbox, and Scribe. Each of these projects leverages Anima's Proof of Personhood or Reputation NFTs to ensure that only unique, verified users participate in their ecosystems. This integration helps eliminate bot activity and Sybil attacks, making airdrops, community rewards, governance, and interactions more secure and trusted. For example, Phaver and Alpha Mind use Anima’s NFT reputation to ensure that airdrops and rewards go to real, engaged community members, while The Sandbox and StarkNet ID utilize it to secure user uniqueness across their platforms.

32. What is the affiliate program, and how can I participate?

Our Anima Affiliate Program rewards partners who help onboard new protocols using our anti-bot solutions. Earn 10-20% commission on each Reputation NFT minted by users of the projects you introduce. Past projects have attracted tens of thousands of users, creating significant earning opportunities. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Program page.