Litentry (LIT)

What is Litentry (LIT)?

Litentry was a decentralized identity aggregation protocol built on the Substrate framework, specifically designed to enhance privacy and security within the decentralized application (dApp) ecosystem. Tailored for Polkadot, EVM-based platforms, and other multi-chain environments, it aimed to provide a unified and secure method for managing digital identities across various blockchains. Litentry operated as a parachain on the Polkadot network, leveraging its interoperability to facilitate real-time processing of decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and support secure cross-chain identity verification. This allowed users to consolidate and control their digital presence across diverse decentralized ecosystems. In February 2025, Litentry underwent a rebranding to Heima (HEI), marking a strategic evolution in its focus. While initially centered on identity verification, Heima expanded its scope to include chain abstraction and broader cross-chain asset management, aiming to eliminate friction and improve interoperability between different blockchain networks. This transition signified a shift towards becoming a more comprehensive platform for Web3 interoperability, facilitating seamless cross-chain transactions and data flows. The initial vision of Litentry was to create a self-sovereign user-centric approach to identity, bridging both Web2 and Web3, offering a robust suite for user activity and identity data management. With innovative tools and staking mechanisms, Litentry was committed to establishing a unified, privacy-centric decentralized identity infrastructure, redefining interoperability and utility for users and projects in the decentralized space.

How Does Litentry (LIT) Work?

Litentry operated by aggregating and unifying digital identities from multiple blockchains into a single, user-controlled profile. This aggregation process was crucial for simplifying identity verification across various dApps and decentralized services. The protocol leveraged the power of Polkadot’s interoperability to enable seamless cross-chain identity validation, ensuring that identity information could be securely and efficiently verified across different blockchain networks. A key aspect of Litentry’s functionality was its focus on privacy preservation. The protocol integrated privacy-enhancing technologies to ensure that user data was processed securely, without exposing sensitive information to unnecessary third parties. This was achieved through the use of Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) and other advanced cryptographic techniques. As a parachain on the Polkadot network, Litentry benefited from Polkadot’s robust security and scalability. This integration allowed Litentry to provide a reliable and efficient infrastructure for decentralized identity management. The protocol also supported the creation and maintenance of indexed identity databases, which were incentivized through rewards paid in LIT tokens. This encouraged active participation and ensured the accuracy and completeness of the identity data stored on the network. The transition to Heima maintained the core functionality of cross-chain operations but expanded to facilitate seamless cross-chain transactions and data flows and included enhanced functionalities to reduce friction in cross-chain operations and advance the platform’s role in Web3 interoperability.

Litentry (LIT) Key Features and Technology

Litentry boasted several key features that distinguished it as a leading decentralized identity aggregation protocol. Its core technology revolved around enabling identity aggregation from multiple blockchains, allowing users to manage a unified digital identity across diverse decentralized ecosystems. Cross-chain identity verification was a fundamental aspect of Litentry, facilitating secure and decentralized information validation across different blockchains. Privacy preservation was another critical feature, integrating advanced mechanisms to ensure user data was processed securely and without unnecessary exposure to third parties, using Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) and other privacy-enhancing technologies. As a Polkadot parachain, Litentry leveraged Polkadot’s inherent interoperability to enhance cross-chain functionality and security. This allowed for seamless communication and data exchange with other parachains and the broader Polkadot ecosystem. The protocol also supported customizable score computation, allowing for flexible and adaptable identity scoring based on various criteria. The IdentityHub was Litentry’s flagship product, designed to transform how identities are managed and authenticated across blockchains. It provided a self-sovereign user-centric approach to identity, bridging both Web2 and Web3. Another unique technology implemented was the ability to use LIT tokens as collateral within DeFi lending and borrowing services, integrating identity verification to potentially reduce collateral requirements based on credit assessments. These features and technologies collectively aimed to create a unified, privacy-centric decentralized identity infrastructure, redefining interoperability and utility for users and projects in the decentralized space.

What was Litentry (LIT) used for?

The LIT token served several crucial functions within the Litentry ecosystem. One of its primary uses was as a payment method for real-time credit computations and various identity-related services within the Litentry network. Users utilized LIT to access and utilize these services. Another essential function of the LIT token was staking. Participants could stake their LIT tokens to become identity registrars, playing a vital role in decentralizing and improving the efficiency of the network’s identity verification processes. By staking LIT, users contributed to the overall security and reliability of the network. LIT tokens also served as incentives for third parties who established and maintained indexed identity databases. These third parties received LIT tokens as rewards for their efforts in ensuring data accuracy and completeness within the Litentry ecosystem. This incentivized active participation and helped to maintain the integrity of the identity data. In addition to its use in payments, staking, and rewards, LIT tokens were also used as collateral within DeFi lending and borrowing services. By integrating identity verification, Litentry enabled the potential reduction of collateral requirements based on credit assessments, making DeFi services more accessible and efficient. These diverse use cases highlighted the importance of the LIT token in driving the Litentry ecosystem and supporting its mission of providing a unified and decentralized identity infrastructure. Following the rebranding, the HEI token maintained its utility in payments, staking, rewards, and collateral services, continuing to support the expanded functionality of the Heima platform.

How Do You Buy Litentry (LIT)?

Since Litentry has transitioned to Heima (HEI), purchasing LIT tokens is no longer possible. However, if one held LIT tokens before the transition, they would have needed to follow the instructions provided by the Heima team for swapping LIT to HEI, if such a swap was offered. Generally, buying a cryptocurrency like LIT (before its transition) or HEI involves a few key steps. First, you need to find a cryptocurrency exchange that lists the token. This typically involves researching reputable exchanges. If an exchange listed LIT, you would create an account, complete any necessary KYC (Know Your Customer) verification steps, and deposit funds, usually in the form of another cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), or sometimes fiat currency such as USD or EUR. Once your account is funded, you could search for the LIT trading pair (e.g., LIT/BTC or LIT/USDT) and place an order to buy LIT. Different types of orders exist, such as market orders (executed immediately at the current market price) and limit orders (executed only when the price reaches a specific level). Once the order is filled, the LIT tokens would be credited to your exchange wallet. Note that due to the transition to HEI, you should look to trade or acquire HEI tokens instead. The specifics of where and how to acquire HEI would be based on listings after the rebranding, and available information from the Heima project.

How Do You Store Litentry (LIT)?

Given that Litentry has rebranded to Heima (HEI), storing LIT tokens is no longer relevant. However, the following explains the general ways you would store any cryptocurrency. Typically, after acquiring a cryptocurrency, you can store it in a cryptocurrency wallet. Cryptocurrency wallets come in several forms, each offering different levels of security and convenience. The two primary types are hot wallets (software wallets) and cold wallets (hardware wallets). Hot wallets are software-based and can be accessed on computers, smartphones, or as browser extensions. They are convenient for frequent transactions but are generally considered less secure since they are connected to the internet. Examples of hot wallets include MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and exchange wallets. Cold wallets, on the other hand, are physical devices that store your private keys offline. They offer a higher level of security as they are not constantly connected to the internet, reducing the risk of hacking. Examples of cold wallets include Ledger and Trezor. When choosing a wallet, it’s essential to consider your security needs and usage patterns. For large holdings or long-term storage, a cold wallet is generally recommended. For frequent transactions, a hot wallet might be more convenient. Regardless of the type of wallet you choose, it is crucial to back up your wallet and keep your private keys safe. Losing access to your private keys means losing access to your cryptocurrency. Any future storage recommendations for HEI should be based on official information released by the Heima project post-rebranding.

Future Outlook and Analysis for Litentry

Given Litentry’s transition to Heima (HEI), the future outlook now lies in the success and adoption of Heima’s expanded vision of chain abstraction and cross-chain asset management. While Litentry initially focused on decentralized identity aggregation, Heima aims to tackle broader challenges in the Web3 space, specifically the fragmentation and lack of interoperability between different blockchain networks. The success of Heima will depend on its ability to develop and implement effective solutions for seamless cross-chain transactions and data flows. This includes addressing technical challenges related to scalability, security, and user experience. The adoption of HEI by developers and users will also be a crucial factor. If Heima can attract a vibrant ecosystem of dApps and users, it could play a significant role in shaping the future of Web3. However, the project faces competition from other blockchain projects working on similar interoperability solutions. To succeed, Heima will need to differentiate itself through innovative technology, strong partnerships, and a clear value proposition. The team’s experience and expertise in blockchain technology, particularly the experience of founder Hanwen Cheng, will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of the Web3 landscape. Overall, the future of the former Litentry project hinges on the successful execution of Heima’s vision. While the transition represents a strategic shift, it also presents an opportunity to address broader challenges and contribute to the evolution of the decentralized web.

References

• CoinGecko
• CoinDesk
• CoinMarketCap
• Heima Network