Humanity Protocol: From a Valuation of 1.1 Billion USD to Being Embroiled in Controversy

The star project Humanity Protocol in the field of Web3 identity recognition has recently garnered significant attention. This project, which claims to solve the "witch attack" problem, has attracted a large amount of investment with its palm print recognition technology, reaching a valuation of over $1.1 billion at one point. However, as the project has progressed, a series of controversies have emerged.

Humanity Protocol was established in 2023, focusing on a human proof system based on palm print recognition. The project quickly gained the favor of capital, with over $50 million raised in three rounds of financing, with investors including several well-known institutions. Its foundation also boasts a luxurious lineup of members led by heavyweight figures in the industry.

In June of this year, the Android version supporting palm print scanning verification for Humanity was released, with the number of registered users surpassing 8 million. A well-known trading platform also announced the launch of the Humanity Protocol (H) token. However, as the airdrop activities began, many issues behind the project gradually came to light.

Some netizens have revealed that the Humanity Protocol may be a "domestic project shell." Images from a certain Shenzhen access control manufacturer were found in the APP code material library, raising questions about the technical sources of the project. Further investigation shows that the access control manufacturer may be backed by a Shanghai company that specializes in providing comprehensive outsourcing services for identity verification systems.

In response, the founder of Humanity explained that the relevant company is an early partner, and the related materials are a historical legacy issue. However, this response did not completely quell the community's concerns. In addition, the project had previously faced public criticism from industry experts due to security risks in the testnet.

The historical background of the founder of Humanity has also attracted attention. According to reports, he nearly jeopardized a smartphone company valued at $1.5 billion due to aggressive expansion, burning through over $170 million in investments. This experience has raised concerns among some about the future development of Humanity.

Recently, the first "Proof of Humanity" airdrop event launched by Humanity has sparked controversy. Many long-time active community members and contributors found themselves ineligible for the airdrop or only received a very small amount of tokens. Meanwhile, some addresses with no obvious contribution records received a large amount of airdrops. This outcome has led to strong dissatisfaction within the community, questioning the fairness and transparency of the project team.

The founder has stated that they are aware of the relevant feedback and are handling the appeals for fair distribution. However, the community is still waiting for a more open and transparent response.

The development process of the Humanity Protocol reflects many challenges faced by Web3 projects. Under the halo of capital hype and technological innovation, how to truly solve practical problems, maintain transparency, and win user trust has become key to the future development of the project.