Credas
Credas is a Cardiff-based digital identity verification platform serving UK regulated industries with DIATF-certified biometric ID checks, AML screening, right-to-work/rent verification and a reusable compliance wallet, processing over 350,000 verifications monthly across 40+ sectors and now operating under SmartSearch.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersCardiff, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Credas does
Credas Technologies Ltd. is a UK-based digital identity verification platform, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Cardiff, that provides biometric ID verification, AML screening and compliance tooling to regulated businesses. Its core technology combines selfie-based facial biometrics, NFC chip reading of identity documents, passive liveness detection and data integration, certified against the UK Government's Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF) at the 'very high' confidence level and Home Office certified for Right to Work and Right to Rent checks. The modular product suite spans ID Checks, AML Checks, Know Your Business, Source of Funds (open banking), PEPs and Sanctions screening, Credas Wallet (reusable compliance credentials), Credas Payments, Credas Plus (automated decisioning) and a developer API.
Credas monetises primarily through usage-based per-verification fees, supplemented by partner platform licensing and transaction fees from its integrated payments product, with sales conducted via direct enterprise sales, embedded integrations (Finity, Silks), an authorised reseller programme and a self-serve consumer app. Its customer base spans real estate, legal, recruitment, finance, insurance and corporate services, with named logos including Connells Group, NHS, Deloitte, EY, M&G, Anderson Strathern and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The platform processes over 350,000 identity verifications per month across 40+ UK sectors and is involved in an estimated 60% of UK housing transactions either directly or through partners. In January 2026, Credas was acquired by SmartSearch (backed by Triple Private Equity), creating a combined platform serving over 8,500 regulated UK firms; Credas had previously been divested by Dye & Durham for approximately $146.3 million.
Credas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Credas
- Legal name
- Credas Technologies Ltd.
- Website
- https://credas.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Credas is a Cardiff-based digital identity verification platform serving UK regulated industries with DIATF-certified biometric ID checks, AML screening, right-to-work/rent verification and a reusable compliance wallet, processing over 350,000 verifications monthly across 40+ sectors and now operating under SmartSearch.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Credas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Identity Verification
- NAICS
- Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marketing Automation & Campaign Management CRM (HDAEAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Customer Service, Support & Contact Center CRM (HDAEAFAC)
Keywords
Where Credas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cardiff
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Credas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Identity Verification Services: Per-verification fees for biometric ID checks, AML checks, and compliance verification services sold to regulated businesses across real estate, legal, finance, and recruitment sectors
- Platform Integration Licensing: Technology integration into partner platforms (Finity payroll, Silks legal) enabling automated compliance checks; pricing passed to clients through partnership arrangements
- Credas Payments: Integrated payment solution allowing businesses to recoup compliance costs through transaction-based revenue
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Enterprise / Platform pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Credas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Credas is a UK-based digital identity verification platform that delivers biometric facial recognition, document authentication (including NFC chip reading and passive liveness detection), AML/PEP/sanctions screening, and eSign capabilities for regulated businesses. The platform enables automated customer onboarding and compliance workflows across sectors such as real estate, legal, recruitment, finance, and corporate services, and includes a reusable 'compliance wallet' for sharing verified credentials.
Product overview
Credas offers a modular digital identity verification and compliance platform with a core ID verification service supplemented by multiple add-on modules. The platform provides biometric ID checks, real-time AML screening, KYB company verification, Source of Funds checks, PEPs/Sanctions screening, and Right to Work/Rent checks. Additional products include the Credas Wallet (compliance wallet for reusable credentials), Credas Payments (integrated payments), Credas Plus (automated compliance decisioning), and Credas Director Checks (Companies House verification). The platform serves 40+ sectors including real estate, legal, recruitment, finance, and corporate services, with over 350,000 identity verifications conducted monthly and a 97% positive outcome rate.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Credas Wallet: The UK's first 'compliance wallet' for sharing verified identity and compliance data across multiple transactions, particularly for property purchases.
- Credas Payments
- Credas Plus
- Credas Director Checks
Products and services
- ID Checks Biometric powered certified identity verification checks for onboarding and compliance purposes. Supports facial recognition, NFC document scanning, and passive liveness detection. Used by regulated businesses to verify customer identities.
- AML Checks
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% positive ID verification outcomes
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Credas
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Credas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
Credas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- SilkscoreIntegration of Credas identity verification into Silks legal platform to enhance compliance and streamline client onboarding for mid-market UK law firms. Allows firms to conduct digital ID checks as part of their workflow, improving speed and regulatory adherence amid tighter scrutiny. Aligns with UK regulatory guidance on certified digital identity solutions.
- FinitycoreIntegration of Credas' DIATF-certified digital verification technology into Finity's payroll platform, serving over 150,000 UK workers monthly. Replaces manual document checks with automated identity and right to work verification, saving approximately 5 hours per 100 workers onboarded while reducing compliance risk and eliminating data entry errors. Certified under UK's Digital Verification Service Trust Framework.
- SmartSearchflagshipSmartSearch, a private equity-backed KYC/AML/digital identity solutions provider backed by Triple Private Equity, completed acquisition of Credas Technologies. Acquisition integrates Credas' selfie biometrics and ID matching technology into SmartSearch's compliance platform. Combined entity serves over 8,500 regulated firms across financial services, legal, accountancy, property and insurance sectors. CEO Phil Cotter described acquisition as strategic milestone cementing SmartSearch's position as leading UK digital KYC/AML compliance platform.
- SmartSearch (Acquisition)flagshipStrategic acquisition of Credas by SmartSearch to expand product and market reach in digital identity verification for regulated markets, addressing rising demand for KYC and AML services amid increasing financial crime and fraud tactics.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Credas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sumsub: Sumsub is an identity verification and compliance platform offering KYC, KYB, AML screening, and biometric checks. Directly comparable to Credas in modular verification suite, though Sumsub operates globally with stronger crypto and fintech focus.
- Persona: Persona is a configurable identity verification platform offering document, biometric, database, and AML checks via API. Directly comparable to Credas in modular IDV architecture and KYC/AML product offering, with stronger US market presence.
- GBG: GBG is a UK-listed identity verification, location and fraud prevention provider serving regulated industries. Directly comparable to Credas in target verticals (financial services, property, legal) with overlapping KYC/AML product suites; GBG is even shown on Credas's customer logo wall, highlighting tight head-to-head competition.
- Trulioo: Trulioo provides global identity verification, business verification and AML screening through a single API platform. Directly comparable to Credas in KYC/AML and KYB capabilities, though Trulioo focuses on cross-border coverage while Credas concentrates on the UK regulated market.
- Veriff: Veriff is an identity verification platform offering document and biometric verification with AML screening. Directly comparable to Credas in biometric IDV technology and regulated customer base, though Veriff operates globally rather than UK-only.
- Yoti: Yoti is a UK-based digital identity platform providing biometric ID verification, reusable digital ID apps, and age estimation. Directly comparable to Credas in UK focus, DIATF framework engagement, and reusable digital identity (Yoti ID vs Credas Wallet).
Regional players
- Onfido (SmartSearch affiliate overlap noted): ID.me is a US-focused digital identity and credential verification network serving government, healthcare, and financial services. Comparable to Credas in biometric IDV and reusable digital identity wallet, but operates primarily in the US market with limited UK presence.
Broad incumbents
- Jumio: Jumio is a global end-to-end identity verification and KYC/AML platform serving financial services, sharing economy, and online retail. Comparable to Credas in biometric IDV and AML offering but with broader geographic reach and enterprise scale.
- Mitek Systems: Mitek Systems is a global digital identity verification provider specializing in mobile document capture, biometric verification, and identity fraud detection. Comparable to Credas in mobile IDV technology but serves broader financial services markets with longer enterprise heritage.
- Onfido: Onfido (now part of Entrust) is a global digital identity verification platform offering biometric document and selfie checks with AML/KYC orchestration. Comparable to Credas in core IDV technology, but operates at much larger scale across multiple geographies and regulatory regimes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Credas social profiles
Digital presenceCredas compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Credas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Credas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Credas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Credas M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Credas
What does Credas do?
Credas is a UK-based digital identity verification platform that delivers biometric facial recognition, document authentication (including NFC chip reading and passive liveness detection), AML/PEP/sanctions screening, and eSign capabilities for regulated businesses. The platform enables automated customer onboarding and compliance workflows across sectors such as real estate, legal, recruitment, finance, and corporate services, and includes a reusable 'compliance wallet' for sharing verified credentials.
Is Credas a public or private company?
Credas is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Credas founded?
Credas was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Credas based?
Credas is headquartered in Cardiff, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Credas make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Identity Verification Services are the primary driver. The others are platform Integration Licensing and credas Payments.
Who are Credas's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sumsub, Persona, GBG, Trulioo, Veriff and Yoti. Onfido (SmartSearch affiliate overlap noted) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Jumio, Mitek Systems and Onfido.
Does Credas have an API?
Yes. Credas offers an ID Verification API Integration that allows developers to embed identity verification capabilities into their applications. The API enables automated identity checks, AML screening, and compliance verification workflows. Developer documentation is at credas.com/id-verification-api-integration.
What industry is Credas in?
Credas's product category is Digital Identity Verification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAFAB, Marketing Automation & Campaign Management CRM, with a secondary code of HDAEAFAC, Customer Service, Support & Contact Center CRM. Its NAICS code is 561611 and its SIC code is 6199.