What is cheqd?
cheqd is a blockchain-based trust infrastructure designed for credentials and verifiable artificial intelligence. Launched in 2021 by CEO Fraser Edwards and CTO Ankur Banerjee, it solves a big problem: how to securely share personal data without giving up control.
Digital identity is a mess. We have to share personal information everywhere-banks, governments, social media-but it's locked in silos. This makes verifying who you are slow and insecure. cheqd changes that by letting you own your data and share it only when needed.
How the CHEQ token powers the network
CHEQ is the native cryptocurrency of the cheqd network. It serves five key functions:
- Identity writes: When users create Decentralised Identifiers (DIDs), a portion of CHEQ is burned. This reduces total supply over time.
- Credential payments: Verifiers pay Credential Issuers for verification services using CHEQ. This creates a payment system for data access.
- Governance: CHEQ holders vote on network proposals, shaping the future of cheqd.
- Staking: Locking CHEQ tokens helps secure the network while earning rewards.
- Validator incentives: Validators who maintain the blockchain receive CHEQ rewards for their work.
cheqd uses a deflationary model where transaction fees are split between rewards and burning. This aims to stabilize the total supply at one billion tokens.
Current market status
As of February 2026, CHEQ trades around $0.0215 per token. CoinMarketCap shows a market cap of $13.82 million with a circulating supply of 642.49 million tokens. CoinGecko lists a slightly different price of $0.02152 and a circulating supply of 940 million. These differences highlight how tracking platforms calculate supply differently.
The 24-hour trading volume is about $597,000. This indicates moderate activity. With a fully diluted valuation of $26.74 million, cheqd is still a small player in the crypto market. But its focus on real-world identity solutions gives it unique potential.
Real-world use cases
cheqd isn't just theoretical. It's already being used in practical scenarios:
- Reusable KYC: Banks can issue digital credentials that customers share across institutions. No more repeating identity checks for every new account.
- Travel documents: Airports could use cheqd to verify passports and visas securely, reducing fraud.
- AI authenticity: As AI-generated content grows, cheqd helps verify if content is real or AI-generated, preventing deepfakes.
- Reputation systems: Platforms can build trust scores using verified credentials without exposing personal data.
These applications address critical issues like data privacy, fraud prevention, and efficient verification. For example, the European Union's eIDAS 2.0 regulation is pushing for digital identity solutions like cheqd to standardize eID across member states.
Future developments
cheqd's roadmap focuses on expanding verifiable AI and Trust Registry capabilities. As AI agents become more common, verifying their authenticity will be crucial. The project is also working on better payment infrastructure for credential verification at scale.
Investors like Outlier Ventures and Evernym back cheqd, signaling confidence in its niche. However, success depends on enterprise adoption. If banks, governments, and tech companies integrate cheqd's solutions, it could become a key player in the digital identity space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cheqd used for?
cheqd is a blockchain network built for secure digital identities and verifiable AI. It enables users to control personal data, verify credentials, and create payment systems for data access. Real-world uses include reusable KYC, travel document verification, and AI content authentication.
How does CHEQ token work?
CHEQ is the native cryptocurrency of cheqd. It powers the network through identity writes (with token burning), credential payments, governance voting, staking for rewards, and validator incentives. The tokenomics are deflationary, with fees split between rewards and burning.
Is cheqd a good investment?
Like all cryptocurrencies, cheqd carries risks. Current price is around $0.0215 with a market cap of $13.8 million. While the project has strong use cases in digital identity and verifiable AI, market volatility is high. Always do your own research before investing.
How does cheqd compare to other blockchain projects?
Most blockchains focus on payments or smart contracts. cheqd specifically targets digital identity and verifiable AI. It's built for credential verification, data privacy, and payment for data access. Its focus on real-world compliance (like eIDAS 2.0) sets it apart from generic identity solutions.
Can I stake CHEQ tokens?
Yes. Staking CHEQ helps secure the network and earns rewards. You can stake through supported wallets or exchanges that offer staking services. The network uses Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus, so staking is a key part of maintaining security.
Alex Garnett
6 02 26 / 21:16 PMcheqd is a waste of time. Real digital identity systems are built by governments, not some blockchain startup. The US has already developed secure systems; this is just crypto nonsense. eIDAS 2.0 is the correct path, not this amateurish attempt.