ZIP-0033: Zoo Decentralized Identification Service (DID)

Abstract

Zoo's October 31, 2021 whitepaper named "Decentralized Identification Services (DIS)" as the on-chain identity primitive that bounds XP and KEEPER token issuance and gates participation in higher-level governance. This ZIP formalizes that primitive as Zoo DID, an extension of the Lux base-layer DID specification (LP-060) with Zoo-specific attestation types for conservation contribution, quest completion, and DAO reputation.

Motivation

The 2021 paper §11 explicitly says:

"XP tokens are non-transferable and strictly tied to our Decentralized Identification Services (DIS) and comprehensive KYC procedures, preserving the integrity of the system."

Without a formal DID layer, XP and KEEPER are vulnerable to Sybil attacks, KYC tier cannot be enforced on-chain, and reputation cannot be portable across Zoo surfaces (NFT marketplace, DEX, governance forum, Desktop app).

Specification

Resolver

Zoo DID extends Lux LP-060. Method-specific identifier:

did:zoo:<base32-checksum-of-A-Chain-pubkey>

Resolution returns a DID Document anchored on A-Chain (Lux LP-134), which provides TEE-attested identity rooted in hardware enclaves.

DID Document Schema

{
  "id": "did:zoo:abcd1234efgh5678",
  "controller": "did:zoo:abcd1234efgh5678",
  "verificationMethod": [
    {"id": "#sig", "type": "Bls12381G2Key2020", "publicKeyMultibase": "..."}
  ],
  "service": [
    {"id": "#zoo-profile", "type": "ZooProfile", "serviceEndpoint": "..."},
    {"id": "#zoo-vault", "type": "ZooKMS", "serviceEndpoint": "..."}
  ],
  "zoo": {
    "kycTier": 0 | 1 | 2 | 3,
    "level": <derived from XP via ZIP-0034>,
    "xp": <uint256>,
    "keeperBalance": <uint256>,
    "reputationScore": <uint256>,
    "joinedAt": <uint64 unix>,
    "attestations": [<credential-hash>, ...]
  }
}

KYC Tiers

Tier	Verification	Privileges
0	Self-asserted (anon)	Read-only DAO; basic NFT mint; no KEEPER
1	Email + phone + ZK age proof	XP earn; quest participation; KEEPER stake
2	Doc-verified (KYC)	Treasury proposal; pool listing; cross-chain bridge
3	KYC + accredited	Securities-track features (via Liquidity perimeter, see LP-134)

KYC verification happens off-chain through partnered providers; the resulting credential hash is anchored on-chain as a verifiable credential. Privacy-preserving disclosure via ZK proofs (Z-Chain, LP-134).

Attestation Types

Type	Source	Purpose
QuestCompletion	Zoo DAO contract	XP earn (ZIP-0034)
ConservationGrant	Treasury contract	Verified non-profit recipient
ResearchContribution	DeSci protocol (ZIP-0600)	Researcher reputation
BadgeOfHonor	DAO multisig	Special recognition
KYCCredential	Partnered provider	Tier upgrade

Anti-Sybil

• TEE-rooted attestation through A-Chain; one DID per attested hardware identity.
• KEEPER token transfer is locked to DIDs of equivalent or higher KYC tier.
• XP is non-transferable (soulbound to the DID).
• Reputation drift is bounded by ZIP-0026 (Ecosystem Reputation System).

Recovery

Standard DID recovery via threshold M-of-N social recovery list declared in the DID document. Custody of the recovery key shares lives on M-Chain MPC (LP-019).

Backwards Compatibility

Existing 2021–2024 holders without DID are auto-issued a Tier 0 DID on first interaction with Zoo L1 (2025-12-25 cutover). XP earned in prior off-chain DAO surfaces is migrated via signed snapshot.

Security Considerations

• DID-based KYC tiers concentrate trust in the verification provider set. Mitigated by multi-provider quorum and rotating audits.
• Soulbound nature of XP prevents trade but creates a permanent reputational trail; users must be informed before earning their first attestation.
• Privacy: DID document fields beyond minimal verification methods are written through Z-Chain selective disclosure (LP-134), not plaintext.

Activation

DID issuance live with Zoo L1 genesis on 2025-12-25. Tier 1 verification provider integrations sequenced post-mainnet; KYC providers TBD by ZIP-0017 vote.

References

• Lux LP-060 (DID Specification).
• Lux LP-134 (Lux Chain Topology — A-Chain attestation).
• ZIP-0017 (DAO Governance Framework).
• ZIP-0026 (Ecosystem Reputation System).
• ZIP-0034 (Zoo XP & Quests).
• 2021 Whitepaper §11 (Zoo DAO).