Buenos Aires pioneers digital innovation with a blockchain-powered ID system, empowering over 3.6 million residents to securely manage personal identification through a decentralized platform.
In a major step toward digital transformation, Buenos Aires has officially launched a blockchain-powered digital ID system, offering over 3.6 million residents the ability to store and manage their personal identification documents securely through a decentralized platform.
The initiative, which began in late September 2023 is a key milestone in Argentina’s broader strategy to embrace digital identity and blockchain technology.
The new system, called QuarkID, was developed in collaboration with Extrimian, an Argentina-based digital identity company, and Matter Labs’ zkSync Era, a Layer-2 scaling solution on Ethereum.
QuarkID allows users to store essential documents such as birth and marriage certificates, proof of income, and educational records in a digital wallet. The system offers individuals full control over their data, reducing dependence on centralized government systems that are often vulnerable to inefficiencies and breaches.
The Buenos Aires government aims to provide a more transparent, secure, and efficient system for handling official documents using blockchain technology.
According to Diego Fernández, the city’s Secretary of Innovation, the goal is to create a “digital trust framework” that enhances secure interactions between citizens, businesses, and government bodies.
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Argentina’s move toward digital identity is part of a larger trend of embracing blockchain and digital assets, driven by the country’s long-standing economic challenges.
With high inflation and ongoing currency devaluation, many Argentinians have already turned to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to protect their wealth. This has positioned Argentina as a leader in Latin America in terms of blockchain adoption and crypto usage.
Buenos Aires’ leadership in blockchain innovation began years ago, with local governments exploring various applications for the technology, from public services to asset tokenization. The QuarkID initiative, however, marks a more focused push into decentralized identity management.
The digital ID system will initially operate as an alternative to traditional documents rather than a full replacement. However, the local government has plans to expand the system’s scope, eventually incorporating health records, financial management features, and more.
By 2024, the Buenos Aires government aims to establish a roadmap for nationwide adoption, transforming the way Argentinians interact with public services and manage their personal data.
