The Founder Verified File
You will receive a non-fungible token (NFT) or a signed message in your wallet. You must sign it within 60 seconds on the same device you are using for the video call. This ensures the wallet holder is physically present.
But the physical world isn't safe, either. Due diligence firms report that "fake founder" fraud is rising by over 40% annually. Scammers rent WeWorks, hire actors to be "employees," and fabricate verification documents to close rounds. Without a cryptographic or biometric link between the person and the project, the entire startup ecosystem is a house of cards. Unlike standard KYC (Know Your Customer), which is a static, private document check, The Founder Verified is a dynamic, public-facing proof of identity. It combines three distinct layers of security: 1. Biometric Liveness Detection The founder must prove they are a living, breathing human at the precise moment of verification. This involves rotating head movements, voice confirmation, and real-time challenges that deepfakes cannot (currently) solve. 2. Cryptocurrency Wallet Signing (Proof of Control) A verified founder must sign a message from their treasury or deployment wallet. This creates an immutable, on-chain record that wallet address 0x123... belongs to the human verified on a specific date and time. This prevents the "I lost my phone" excuse for rug pulls. 3. Live Video Attestation Unlike a bank that just checks a driver’s license, The Founder Verified often involves a live (or recorded) session where the founder states the name of their project, their role, and a timestamp. This video hash is then stored on a decentralized network, ensuring it cannot be altered later. Why Investors Are Demanding Verification Venture capital is moving toward velocity. The days of six-month due diligence cycles are dying. However, speed requires trust. the founder verified
Furthermore, we are moving toward . A founder will soon prove they are "Verified" without revealing which founder. They can prove they passed the biometric check, have a clean wallet, and are over 21—without sharing their name or address. This gives us the holy grail: privacy-preserving trust. Case Study: The Rescue of "Solana Sage" To illustrate the practical power of this system, consider a recent (anonymized) incident in Q3 of 2024. You will receive a non-fungible token (NFT) or
Over the last 18 months, the rate of "CEO fraud" has exploded. Specifically, in the crypto and Web3 space, bad actors are using a simple, devastatingly effective tactic: the phishing loop. But the physical world isn't safe, either