Managing cryptocurrencies can be intimidating, especially for those new to self-custody.
Zelf, a cutting-edge wallet, tackles these challenges with a revolutionary approach: ZK-Face Proofs - using facial recognition to login without storing biometric data.
In other words: Your face is your private key!
No more need for paper seed phrases or hardware wallets!
By blending user-friendly technology with advanced security measures, Zelf aims to make crypto custody accessible to everyone.
Self sovereignty is a worthy goal, but the loss of private keys has already resulted in over $100 billion in lost assets, including about 20% of existing Bitcoin. Zelf is addressing this by integrating Arweave, a decentralized storage network, and ArNS, a blockchain-based naming system, into its crypto wallet. This pairing offers a permanent, secure, and user-centric solution for crypto users.
The Problem: Traditional Key Management is Risky
Crypto users typically rely on 12 or 24 word seed phrases to secure their digital assets. Some store their seed phrases in the cloud - a risky choice - while more sophisticated users keep them in a hardware wallet. Others claim jotting them on a physical paper is best. But all of these methods are prone to loss, theft, or user error.
For crypto to reach mainstream adoption, the ecosystem needs more intuitive and secure ways to manage keys. To make self-custody accessible to everyone, we need a foolproof method of securing wallets with less technical hurdles.
Zelf’s Solution: Zelf Name Service (ZNS) Powered by ArNS
Zelf’s first innovation is to use your face as your password. Drawing from the technology used on modern smartphones and integrating innovative ZK-Face Proofs, Zelf makes your own face your private key. It’s impossible to lose (as long as you are alive), so there’s no need to worry about paper seed phrases anymore. Zelf further enhances security, ensuring that only the rightful owner can authenticate access without storing sensitive biometric data.
Zelf’s second innovation is to build the ZNS (Zelf Name Service) directly on top of ArNS (Arweave Name System), embracing a proven decentralized naming protocol rather than reinventing the wheel. By leveraging ArNS, Zelf provides a seamless way for users to manage their wallets using simple, human-readable .zelf names—eliminating the need for complex wallet addresses or fragile seed phrases.
But here’s where it gets even better: ArNS doesn’t just store names—it provides each user with a permanently deployed recovery page. When someone registers a .zelf name, they automatically receive a self-custodied recovery page accessible via:
👉 username_zelf.gateway
username is the Zelf name you purchasedgateway is any AR.IO gateway you choose (there are hundreds to choose from)
Every Zelf recovery page features a QR code containing their public key, meaning users can recover their wallet from any phone or device—without needing to store or remember a private key. This is a game-changer for crypto accessibility:
✅ No Seed Phrases to Lose – Just go to your Zelf ArNS page to recover access
✅ Always Accessible – Permanently stored on Arweave, never taken down
✅ Intuitive & User-Friendly – Scan your QR code and go
With ZNS built on ArNS, Zelf isn’t just creating a better wallet experience—it’s redefining how people interact with self-custody, making crypto as intuitive as a username and as resilient as the blockchain itself.
Take a look at the demo
Why Arweave?
Zelf selected Arweave as its storage solution because it provides unmatched permanence and decentralization.
Permanent Storage: ZelfProofs, once stored on Arweave, are immutable and tamper-resistant, ensuring users can always access them.
Decentralization: Unlike centralized servers, Arweave’s distributed network eliminates single points of failure and enhances security.
Cost-Efficiency: Storing ZelfProofs on Arweave is economical, especially for small datasets. Users enjoy permanent access without recurring fees.
Integrity and Availability: Arweave ensures that ZelfProofs remain verifiable and retrievable, allowing users to securely manage their assets.
Your Future Zelf
Zelf has its face set towards the future.
In a few short months, Zelf has onboarded over 5000 users on its way to their larger goal of making a large dent into the 30 million plus crypto users on MetaMask, before helping to onboard the world's masses.
Zelf envisions a world where crypto custody is simple, secure, and accessible to everyone. With a generous seed round to fuel development, the company is focused on scaling its platform and introducing more users to the benefits of Web3.
By combining user-friendly technology with decentralized infrastructure, Zelf aims to bring crypto into the mainstream, empowering not just tech-savvy users but everyone interested in digital assets.
Zelf wants to simplify crypto and pave the way to mass adoption. Its integration with Arweave and ArNS are part of that journey - pointing to a future where owning crypto is as easy as showing your face.
