Identity checks remain one of Web3’s unresolved challenges. As projects scale globally, they must balance security, compliance, and user privacy, all while navigating tools that weren’t designed for decentralized ecosystems. 

Yet regulators worldwide now insist that even decentralized platforms must “know their customer.” The result is a tug-of-war between transparency and autonomy that threatens to slow Web3’s next growth spurt.

In this Newzchain exclusive interview, we sat down with Vikram Anand Bhushan, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Bangalore-based Hypersign ID, to explore how decentralized identity tools, zero-knowledge proofs, and cross-chain credentials could turn compliance from a bottleneck into a catalyst.

Solving Web3’s Identity Crisis from the Ground Up

The Web3 vision has always centered around decentralization, autonomy, and privacy. Yet when it comes to identity verification, most platforms still rely on outdated Web2-era compliance tools. 

For Vikram, this contradiction became impossible to ignore. The systems meant to verify identities were not only inefficient but fundamentally incompatible with how Web3 operates. They were slow, expensive, and exposed users to data breaches and misuse.

This frustration laid the groundwork for Hypersign ID, a Bangalore-based startup focused on solving the identity conundrum in the decentralized world. Unlike conventional platforms, Hypersign embraces self-sovereign identity, empowering users to own and control their personal data while enabling projects to stay compliant with global regulations like KYC, AML, and KYB. The company’s protocol does not just check regulatory boxes but reframes identity verification as a user-first experience.

Despite its small team of just 10 members, Hypersign has built a powerful stack that punches well above its weight. Backed by $1.7 million in token funding from notable investors including NGC and DFG, the team has been laser-focused on delivering compliance infrastructure for the next generation of the internet.

At the core of Hypersign’s offering is a set of privacy-preserving technologies. Zero-Knowledge (zk) Proofs allow for identity validation without revealing sensitive data. A secure Data Vault safeguards personally identifiable information, and detailed consent logs provide full transparency on how and when data is accessed. 

Its multitenant architecture helps enterprises manage compliance across jurisdictions while supporting AML and KYT frameworks for financial integrity. With multi-chain support, Hypersign has become a plug-and-play identity layer for diverse Web3 ecosystems, from DeFi to RWA platforms.

For Vikram, the journey was never just about ticking boxes. 

“We didn’t want to just meet compliance checkboxes. We wanted to reimagine what compliance could look like if users were at the center of it,” he says.

In his words, Hypersign’s approach is about building for the future rather than retrofitting the past. 

“Web3 doesn’t need to choose between compliance and privacy. With the right tools, it can have both,” he adds.

More Than Metrics

Since its inception, Hypersign has quietly carved out a significant presence in the Web3 identity space. What began as a response to a broken compliance landscape has since evolved into one of the more practical, widely adopted identity protocols in the industry today.

The numbers speak for themselves. Hypersign has verified over 50,000 users, issued more than one million verifiable credentials, and generated approximately $300,000 in revenue. These metrics reflect real demand for identity tools designed for, not awkwardly adapted to, decentralized ecosystems.

Adoption has been steady across both Web3 and traditional enterprise channels. The team has integrated its stack with blockchain platforms like Polygon, Movement Labs, and Osmosis. Their partnership with AtomX, a BookMyShow subsidiary, for the India MotoGP showcased Hypersign’s ability to operate at scale in high-traffic environments. 

Meanwhile, their inclusion in a public RFP alongside Ernst & Young for the DigiYatra Foundation underscored their credibility in institutional circles.

Yet it’s not just the tech stack or the partnerships that are driving Hypersign forward. At its core, the company’s culture mirrors the values it builds into its products. The team thrives on transparency, autonomy, and collaboration. 

“Just as we help users take control of their identities, we empower our team to take ownership of their work,” says Vikram. “Innovation and trust aren’t just values we preach—they’re how we operate.”

With a nimble ten-member team and a roadmap aimed at deeper integrations with DeFi and RWA launchpads, Hypersign is laying the groundwork for long-term leadership. But the goal is bigger than growth metrics.

“We want to be the default identity layer for Web3—something that’s invisible, trusted, and universal,” Vikram says. “If compliance is inevitable, we believe privacy and user control should be non-negotiable.”

The Long Game

Building Hypersign was never a straight line. Vikram recalls starting out as just a group of hackathon devs with a simple idea—removing passwords. But as the team dug deeper into the complexities of digital identity, the mission expanded into something far more ambitious. 

“We realized that the real challenge wasn’t authentication. It was ownership. People needed control over their data, not just easier logins,” he says.

Fundraising in the early days was another uphill battle. With limited exposure and no track record, attracting capital seemed daunting—until they got into an accelerator that helped sharpen their vision and connect with early backers. 

“We didn’t chase funding right away. We focused on building, learning, and shipping. The rest followed,” Vikram explains.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, he emphasizes the importance of embracing change. The startup journey rarely goes as planned, and that’s often a sign of progress. 

“Your first idea is just a starting point. Don’t fall in love with it. Fall in love with the problem you’re solving,” he says.

He also stresses the value of people. Surrounding yourself with a team that shares your vision and complements your skills, Vikram says, can be the difference between stalling and scaling. 

“This is a team sport. You need the right crew to weather the storms and build something that lasts.”