The identity stack in a network state represents the merging of individual self-custody with relational self-custody within the various organizations that form the state. It serves as a comprehensive identity system, allowing individuals to secure and maintain their personal identity while interacting within the broader network. The identity stack is not merely a static identifier; it evolves and interacts with the network’s systems, granting access to resources, machines, property, and algorithms based on decentralized governance.

Aggregation of Individual and Relational Self-Custody

At its core, the identity stack starts with individual self-custody, the foundation of identity in the network state. Every person maintains control over their own personal data, credentials, and identity markers, stored securely on machines and protected by decentralized protocols. This ensures that an individual’s identity is not controlled by any single authority or organization but is instead in their own custody, recoverable through decentralized mechanisms.

Layered on top of this individual self-custody is the relational self-custody, which occurs through interactions and relationships with organizations within the network state. As individuals engage with various organizations—whether as participants, contributors, or beneficiaries—their identity becomes augmented. These relationships are recorded and amplified by the network’s algorithms, creating a dynamic identity profile that evolves based on the individual’s activities and engagements within the network state.

Running on Self-Custodied Machines and Algorithms

The identity stack operates on machines that are themselves in the custody of the network state. These machines are decentralized, ensuring that no central authority controls the identity data of the network’s members. Instead, the machines—whether autonomous systems or distributed servers—process identity-related transactions and store identity data through consensus mechanisms. Algorithms running on these machines are responsible for managing and securing the identity stack, continuously validating and updating identity information based on interactions within the network.

This architecture allows the identity of an individual to be recoverable even in the event of disruptions. Because the identity stack is decentralized, there are no single points of failure. The system can reconstruct an individual’s identity based on the distributed data stored across the network, ensuring continuity and resilience.

NFTs as Access Keys

Organizations within the network state play a significant role in shaping the identity stack. These organizations can issue various types of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to individuals, which serve as digital credentials within the network. These NFTs can grant access to resources, machines, property, and algorithms managed by the network state, making them essential components of the identity stack.

For example, a person may hold an NFT that grants them access to specific machines or facilities within the network, such as a factory or research lab. Another NFT might grant them access to certain algorithms or data sets, allowing them to utilize the network’s collective intelligence or participate in consensus-based decision-making processes. These NFTs are tied to the identity stack, allowing individuals to seamlessly move between organizations and access the resources they need without having to rely on centralized authorities for validation.

In this way, NFTs become more than just digital assets; they become the access keys to the network state’s resources, amplifying the individual’s ability to navigate, contribute to, and benefit from the broader ecosystem.

The self-custody of the identity stack in a network state ensures that each individual maintains control over their personal and relational identities, while also benefiting from decentralized access to resources and opportunities. By combining individual and relational self-custody, running the system on self-custodied machines, and leveraging NFTs as access keys, the network state creates a robust, dynamic, and secure identity framework that supports its decentralized nature. This ensures that identity remains a personal asset, controlled by the individual but empowered by the network state’s broader collective.