Fath Algorithm | cryptocurrencies, blockchains & live prices

Fath is the consensus mechanism developed for the Humanode blockchain, combining biometric authentication with a modified BFT consensus protocol. The core innovation is that each validator node must be linked to a unique, verified human being through cryptographic biometric processing — specifically facial recognition using privacy-preserving techniques. This creates a "one person, one node, one vote" system where Sybil resistance is achieved through biometric uniqueness rather than economic stake or computational power. The consensus itself runs a modified Aura (Authority Round) block production mechanism, where verified human nodes take turns producing blocks in a round-robin fashion, with each node having equal authority regardless of their financial resources.

Fath provides Sybil resistance through biometric verification rather than economic means, which fundamentally changes the security model compared to proof-of-stake or proof-of-work systems. In traditional PoS, influence is proportional to wealth; in Fath, each verified human has equal consensus power. The biometric processing uses techniques designed to prevent the biometric data itself from being stored or reconstructed, addressing privacy concerns. The protocol maintains BFT safety guarantees through the underlying consensus mechanism while the biometric layer ensures that the validator set consists of unique individuals. Block production is fast (approximately 6 seconds) given the authority-round approach with a known validator set.

Fath runs on the Humanode blockchain, which launched its mainnet in 2023. Humanode was co-founded by Dato Kavazi and Victor Smirnov with the goal of creating a more egalitarian blockchain where influence is based on unique personhood rather than capital. The blockchain is built on the Substrate framework and is EVM-compatible. The biometric verification is powered by a combination of facial recognition technology and zero-knowledge proofs to maintain user privacy. Humanode represents an experimental approach to blockchain consensus that addresses the criticism that proof-of-stake systems tend toward plutocracy, though the biometric approach introduces its own challenges around accessibility, privacy, and the reliability of biometric verification technology.