Privado ID and Disco merge to build out digital identity infrastructure

The digital identity firm Privado ID and the web3 data and reputation management firm Disco have announced a merger. 

The move allows Privado ID to expand to Optimism, Arbitrum, Base and other networks, with the ultimate goal of building out chain-agnostic digital identity infrastructure, according to a release shared with The Block. Evin McMullen, Disco founder and former project lead at Consensys, will also serve as Privado ID's co-founder and chief strategy officer. 

"The Privado ID cofounders and team have redefined citizenship of the new internet with identity tools deeply rooted in a strong ethos," McMullen said in a statement. "At Disco, our work has always centered on scaling trust with neutrality, and by joining forces, we’re advancing our shared mission to make the connected world more personal, efficient, secure and delightful."

Originally called Polygon ID and with notable Polygon co-founders on its team, Privado ID rebranded in June as an effort to expand beyond the Polygon ecosystem. The firm has since made other strategic partnerships to bolster its reach, such as partnering with the Spanish digital business firm Telefonica Tech, a unit of the telecom firm Telefonica Group, to broaden use of a managed blockchain service for verifiable credentials, according to a Sept. 10 release.