FP Validated Joins DEP Protocol, a Human Verification Infrastructure, as a Genesis Validator

FP Validated has joined DEP Protocol, a Layer 1 network built for human verification, as a Genesis Validator. FP Validated will run a validator node on its own infrastructure as part of the Genesis Activation scheduled for the end of November.

In this article, we explore the core mission and architecture of DEP Protocol, why FP Validated decided to participate in the network, and how we view the ecosystem’s long-term potential.

DEP Protocol plans to open delegation to Genesis Validators at Genesis Activation. For more on the network, see the official DEP Protocol documentation.

1. What Is DEP Protocol?

As generative AI and bots become better at mimicking human activity online, services have a harder time determining when a person actually took part. Advertisers need to know whether a click came from a person, and AI developers need to establish whether feedback used in training came from real people.

DEP Protocol is a Layer 1 human verification infrastructure built on Avalanche technology. It helps applications assess whether an online interaction came from a real person and use that evidence to evaluate the quality of ad traffic or the provenance of AI training data.

The key features of DEP Protocol include the following.

1. Verification at the activity level: The protocol evaluates whether a person was involved in a specific interaction. Services can assess the source of that activity without establishing the user’s identity.
2. Support for standard smartphones: Users can participate on their existing smartphones without iris scans or specialized hardware. That makes verification easier to incorporate into existing mobile apps.
3. Protection of raw behavioral data: The protocol collects no biometric data, and the raw behavioral data used for verification stays on the user’s device.
4. An independent Layer 1 built on Avalanche: DEP Protocol runs its own chain within the Avalanche ecosystem. EVM compatibility lets developers work with familiar smart contract tools, including Solidity.

2. How Does DEP Protocol Work?

DEP Protocol calls its approach Proof of Human Activity (PoHA). A software development kit (SDK) embedded in an app processes behavioral signals, and services can check the resulting evidence against an on-chain record.

1. Capture behavioral signals: The embedded SDK reads patterns in how a person uses their smartphone while interacting with the app.
2. Generate a human activity score: The device analyzes those signals and produces a score indicating how likely the activity was to have come from a person.
3. Record and verify the result: Once the verification result is recorded on-chain, applications and independent parties can check the record and the issuer’s signature. An advertising service, for example, could use the result as one signal when assessing traffic quality.
4. Role of validators: Validators verify transactions and blocks and participate in network consensus. Their work keeps the ledger that applications rely on for verification records operating reliably.

3. Why Is FP Validated Joining This Network?

We see potential in giving services a way to verify evidence of human participation for themselves. An advertiser, for example, could look beyond a campaign’s click count and assess which traffic is more likely to have come from people. As a founding operator, we want to help run the network and learn where an approach that works on standard smartphones can add value in real applications.

FP Validated will operate its node on its own infrastructure, broadening the base of operators supporting DEP Protocol at Genesis Activation. Four Pillars and DEA also plan to introduce the protocol’s technology and use cases to audiences across Asia through research and bring their regional partner networks together to explore joint projects.

4. About FP Validated

FP Validated is Four Pillars’ institutional blockchain infrastructure arm, built on the company’s research capabilities and extensive infrastructure operating experience. With a deep understanding of the protocols we support, we provide a broad range of services spanning validator operations, governance participation, and secure infrastructure deployment.

Our core infrastructure team brings more than four years of experience at one of Asia’s leading blockchain infrastructure companies, where they collectively operated hundreds of networks. Drawing on this experience, we help institutions in Korea and across Asia participate in blockchain networks securely and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Ultimately, FP Validated aims to become the most trusted blockchain infrastructure partner connecting global protocols with institutions across Asia.