Primus

What Primus does

Primus is a Hong Kong-headquartered IT company founded in 2023 (originally as PADO Labs, rebranded to Primus in March 2025) that builds cryptographic verification infrastructure for the Web3 and AI ecosystem. Its core technology combines zkTLS (zero-knowledge transport layer security) with zkFHE (zero-knowledge fully homomorphic encryption) to enable tamper-resistant attestation of arbitrary off-chain web data and confidential computation on encrypted data, addressing the trust gap between Web2 data sources and on-chain applications. Product surface includes the Primus Extension browser plugin, MPC-TLS SDK, Primus Developer Hub, Proof-of-Reserves for institutions, the zkDID identity framework, the decentralized AlphaNet attestor network, and Primus Skills for AI agent verifiability.

The company serves three primary use-case segments: DeFi and Web3 protocols requiring verifiable off-chain data and credit signals; AI agents and applications needing cryptographic proof of data source authenticity and agent actions; and privacy-first data networks enabling KYC and identity verification without disclosing raw personal data. Its go-to-market is product-led and developer-focused, distributing open-source code via GitHub, documentation at dev.primuslabs.xyz, and the Chrome Web Store extension, with an integration ecosystem of 40+ partners including BNB Chain, Brevis, Nillion, Phala, Kite AI, Circle, and Pharos Network. Revenue model is usage-based via API/SDK access and technology licensing, although pricing is not publicly disclosed; total disclosed funding is approximately $6.5M across a 2023 seed and a January 2025 round led by Dispersion Capital, Symbolic Capital, and VanEck with participation from Alchemy, Samsung NEXT, and Maelstrom.

Name

Primus

Legal name

Primus

Website

https://primuslabs.xyz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Primus builds zkTLS and zkFHE cryptographic verification infrastructure that enables Web3 protocols, AI agents, and financial institutions to prove and compute on off-chain data while preserving privacy. It serves DeFi developers, AI agent platforms, and privacy-first data networks via open-source SDKs and APIs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zero-Knowledge Cryptographic Verification Infrastructure

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Contract Security Tooling (static/dynamic analysis, formal verification) (FSAPABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

DAO Treasury, Governance & On-Chain Finance Tools (FSADAMAL)

Keywords

• Zero-knowledge verification
• Cryptographic attestation
• Web3 infrastructure
• Privacy-preserving computation
• Decentralized identity

Headquarters

HQ city

Hong Kong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing & API Access: Primus provides zkTLS and zkFHE technology infrastructure to Web3 projects, DeFi protocols, and AI agent platforms. Revenue likely derives from usage-based fees on verification transactions and potential licensing arrangements with integrated protocols.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Primus provides a unified zero-knowledge verification layer combining zkTLS and zkFHE technologies that enable developers to cryptographically verify off-chain data, on-chain state, and AI agent actions while preserving privacy. The company's sellable products include the Primus Extension browser plugin, AlphaNet decentralized attestor network, Proof-of-Reserves verification, Primus Skills AI development framework, MPC-TLS SDK, and Developer Hub APIs for integration by DeFi protocols, AI agent platforms, and Web3 applications.

Product overview

Primus is a unified verification layer that powers verifiable data, actions, and execution across AI agents, DeFi, and beyond. The company's core offerings include zkTLS (zero-knowledge transport layer security) and zkFHE (zero-knowledge fully homomorphic encryption) technologies for validating and computing on arbitrary web data. The product suite includes the Primus Extension for browser-based proof generation, AlphaNet for decentralized attestation, Proof-of-Reserves for financial transparency, and Primus Skills for AI-native development. Primus unifies data, state, and action verification in one layer, enabling trusted execution across blockchains, APIs, and real-world systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primus zkTLS Verification Zero-knowledge transport layer security technology that validates arbitrary web data from any internet data source and enables sharing data value with zero-knowledge proofs. Used by developers building DeFi protocols, AI agent platforms, and Web3 applications requiring verifiable off-chain data attestation.
• Primus zkFHE Zero-knowledge fully homomorphic encryption technology that enables verifiable computations on any encrypted data while maintaining confidentiality. Targeted at developers needing to perform computation on encrypted data without exposing the underlying values.
• Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) Cryptographic verification standard enabling institutions to verifiably prove reserve backing while preserving data confidentiality, replacing traditional audit-based attestations with cryptographic proofs. Targeted at exchanges, stablecoin issuers, and financial institutions.
• Primus Skills AI-native zkTLS development framework enabling developers to build verifiable AI agent systems with cryptographic proofs of agent actions and data authenticity. Targets AI agent platform developers and AI application teams.
• Primus Developer Hub Comprehensive developer platform providing SDK, API access, and technical documentation for building with Primus zkTLS verification technology. Accessible at dev.primuslabs.xyz and docs.primuslabs.xyz.
• Primus Extension Open-source browser extension (compatible with Chrome and Microsoft Edge) enabling users to generate zkTLS proofs for verifying off-chain credentials without disclosing sensitive personal information. Distributed via Chrome Web Store.
• AlphaNet Decentralized network using zkTLS and TEE-based attestors ensuring runtime integrity and enhanced network security through decentralization. Accessible at app.primuslabs.xyz for protocol integrations and task participation.
• MPC-TLS SDK Software development kit implementing multi-party computation for transport layer security, enabling secure collaborative data verification across multiple parties. Targeted at developers building decentralized verification applications.
• zkDID Framework Decentralized identity framework using zkTLS for verifiable KYC without disclosing sensitive personal information. Integrated into the Pharos ecosystem for compliant real-world asset (RWA) use cases.
• Data Verification Cryptographic attestation solution that attests any web data from any internet data source and enables sharing data value with zero-knowledge proofs. The foundational data verification service built on zkTLS technology.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Pharos NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Primus joined Pharos Network's RealFi Alliance to provide zkTLS trust and compliance layers for onchain finance beyond stablecoin yield loops. The alliance brings together USDC/CCTP settlement, Bitcoin-backed lending, onchain fixed-income products, and institutional capital allocation frameworks.
• BreviscoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimus and Brevis together create a zk attestation framework enabling users to prove both on-chain and off-chain transactions in a privacy-preserving manner, with relevant proofs verifiable on-chain.
• NillioncoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimus and Nillion leverage zkTLS to enhance integration of off-chain data with Web3 applications, ensuring both privacy and security. With Primus providing verified private data, the Nillion blind computation network enables further processing to meet diverse real-world application needs.
• PhalacoreTechnology or IntegrationBy integrating Primus's attestor service into Phala's TEE, it's ensured that there will be no party, even Primus itself, can tamper with the data verification process. The collaboration brings Primus zkTLS closer to security-critical scenarios such as decentralized finance and AI.
• Kite AIcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimus brings zkTLS to Kite AI, which makes HTTPS-based data provably verifiable on-chain. Primus is building the zkTLS verifier natively on Kite, enabling all AI dapps to verify the authenticity of any off-chain data through cryptographic proofs.
• SunscreencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimus and Sunscreen co-create a privacy-first token distribution protocol leveraging zkTLS and FHE techniques to provide fully confidentiality for blockchain users who can send tokens to social accounts without knowing their wallet addresses.
• UnitascoreTechnology or IntegrationWith zkTLS technology, Primus enables users to pay tokens to anyone without needing to know the recipient's wallet address. The collaboration brings Unitas USDU to Primus as a trusted settlement currency.
• NexuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimus leverages zkTLS together with zkVM from Nexus and TEE to build an integrated approach that enhances security and privacy, fostering a new era of decentralized applications combining Web2 usability with Web3 trust and transparency.
• CircleflagshipTechnology or IntegrationCircle joined the Pharos RealFi Alliance with Primus, providing USDC/CCTP settlement infrastructure for the alliance focused on productive capital infrastructure for onchain finance.
• Kite AIcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimus partnered with Kite AI for verifiable AI agent data authentication.
• BNB ChaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimus partnered with Brevis and BNB Chain to build a privacy-preserving identity layer for DeFi.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Brevis: zk co-processor enabling verifiable off-chain computation. Primus is a current integration partner (joint zk attestation framework), but Brevis overlaps directly in verifiable data and proof markets.
• Reclaim Protocol: Direct zkTLS competitor offering zero-knowledge attestations of Web2 data for on-chain use. Targets the same developer base with overlapping DeFi and identity verification use cases.
• Nillion: Blind computation network for processing encrypted data without decryption. Adjacent to Primus's zkFHE offering and explicitly integrated as a partner for privacy-preserving workflows.
• Phala Network: TEE-based confidential computing platform integrated with Primus's attestor service. Competes in the same verifiable-compute / privacy infrastructure category.
• Sunscreen: FHE and privacy tooling for Web3, co-developing a privacy-first token distribution protocol with Primus. Direct overlap on FHE-based developer tooling.

Emerging players

• Opacity Network: zkTLS-based verifiable data network for Web3; smaller and earlier-stage but competes in the same Web2-to-Web3 attestation niche.
• Lit Protocol: Decentralized key management and conditional signing using MPC/TLS — closely aligned with Primus's MPC-TLS SDK and verifiable computation approach.

Broad incumbents

• Chainlink: Dominant oracle and cross-chain infrastructure platform. Competes broadly for developer attention on data verification, though Primus differentiates on zero-knowledge privacy and off-chain data attestation.
• Aztec Network: Privacy-first zkRollup with confidential smart contract execution. Overlaps with Primus's privacy-preserving DeFi and identity use cases at a larger scale.
• Worldcoin / Tools for Humanity: Privacy-preserving identity verification at scale using zero-knowledge proofs. Comparable in zkDID ambition though Primus is platform-agnostic rather than biometric-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/primus_labs
• GitHubgithub.com/primus-labs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors16 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Primus