Cheqd is a technology scale-up company that provides a market-leading solution for data ownership and value creation. The platform delivers first of its kind payment rails, customisable commercial models and governance structures for trusted* (also referred as authentic) data, including self-sovereign identity (SSI). SSI is a user-centric methodology for exchanging trusted data in a more secure manner. It is also widely believed to be the next generation of digital identities across open networks. Based on blockchain technology, cheqd is built upon a public permissionless network with a dedicated token – $CHEQ.
Focusing on interoperability and portability – the utilisation of information and services without users losing control of the information they shared – and through SSI technology, cheqd provides Web3 companies with the most effective way of managing digital identity. In line with the decentralised, open and user-centric aspects of Web3, SSI removes the need to store personal information entirely on a central database, giving individuals greater control over what information they share safeguarding their privacy.
Co-founded and led by Chief Executive Officer Fraser Edwards and Chief Technology Officer Ankur Banerjee, cheqd’s mission is to give people and organisations the ability to control and understand the value of their own data.
Through its network for SSI vendors, cheqd disrupts established identity paradigms and creates new trusted data marketplaces. The scale of distribution in the SSI space is unmatched – through its strong community of partners, cheqd engages with companies in various different industries, which further demonstrates the endless areas of opportunity for the application of SSI technology.
Its native utility token – $CHEQ – enables individuals to interact with organisations globally and for businesses to reap commercial benefits. In addition to data ownership, cheqd provides individuals and companies with a real-world financial incentive to share their data.
Key investors include Outlier Ventures, Evernym (recently acquired by Avast), Tendermint Ventures (the venture arm of Ignite, a core contributor to the Cosmos Network).
Since its launch, Cheqd has been featured in titles, such as The Sunday Times, Bloomberg, The Guardian, Raconteur and The Fintech Times. cheqd has become an industry leader, with sector-focussed media, such as Biometric Update and Payments Journal, featuring it on topics like the total addressable market for SSI. cheqd’s media coverage extends to trade media, with thought leadership pieces and comments placed in Global Banking and Finance Review, Cointelegraph and Crypto News. CEO and co-founder, Fraser Edwards, and, CTO, Ankur Banerjee’s expertise in digital identity and decentralised systems has equally resulted in interviews on podcasts, such as Citizen Cosmos and The Leadership Enigma.
* Trusted data is information, which source can be proven.