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Verify your identity

What identity verification is for in Arca, when it is required, why it is worth doing once, and how your information stays private.

Identity verification in Arca is optional. You can open the app, create a wallet, hold dollars, send them to other wallets, and receive from anyone without going through it. Many users never need to verify at all.

So why would you? Because some partners and connected apps may need proof that you have completed an identity check. Once you verify, Arca can show that status and, with your consent, share it with supported partners.

When verification is needed

You may be asked to verify when you try to do any of the following:

  • Buy dollars through an on-ramp partner. Partners are regulated, so they may ask for identity information before they can move money from your bank or card into your wallet.
  • Withdraw dollars to a bank account. The partner delivering dollars to your bank or money app may ask for identity or payout information in checkout.
  • Use certain partner apps. When you connect to another app through a QR code, the app may ask for proof of identity before it can serve you. Arca handles this for you (more on that below).

Everything else — holding, sending to another wallet, receiving, and the in-app SimpleFi flows — does not start from the Identity Verification screen.

Verify once, use everywhere

This is the part most wallet apps do not do.

In a traditional setup, every new partner or service you sign up for asks for a fresh identity check. Different forms, different uploads, different waiting periods, every time.

Arca does it differently for supported partners. You verify once, inside Arca. When a partner app later needs proof, Arca shows you a consent screen and, if you approve, securely shares your existing verification with them. No second upload, no re-doing your selfie, no sending documents around.

You can see who you have shared with in Settings > Security > Identity Verification, under Sharing History. Sharing is always on your terms. An app asking for verification does not automatically get it — you review the request and tap Continue.

Privacy: what Arca sees and does not see

Verification is handled by Sumsub, a specialized identity provider. The checks (reading your ID, matching it against your face, confirming liveness) all happen inside Sumsub’s secure system.

What this means for your privacy:

  • Arca does not store your identity documents or images in the wallet app. The document check is handled by Sumsub.
  • Arca never shares your personal information without your permission. When a partner asks for verification, you see the consent screen first. If you tap Deny, nothing is shared.
  • Arca sees the result, not the details. The team knows whether you are verified or not, not what your address or ID number is.

Where to find it

Open Settings (gear icon at the top of the screen), scroll to Security, and tap Identity Verification.

The status at the top tells you where you stand:

  • Not Verified — you have not started yet.
  • Pending — your details are under review.
  • Verified — all features are unlocked.
  • Retry — something did not match on the first pass. You can try again from the same screen with a clearer photo or a different ID.
  • Rejected — verification could not be completed. Contact support for help.

What you will need

Have these ready before you start:

  • Government-issued ID — a passport, driver’s license, or national ID card.
  • A selfie photo — the app matches your face against your ID.
  • A quick video — a short liveness check to confirm it is really you.

No paperwork, no tax forms, no proof of address for the standard check.

How the flow works

Tap Start Verification. Arca opens a secure session with Sumsub inside the app. You will:

  1. Pick which ID you want to use.
  2. Take photos of the front and back of your ID.
  3. Take a selfie or short video, following the on-screen prompts.
  4. Submit.

After you submit, Sumsub reviews everything and sends a result back to Arca. You do not have to stay in the app while this happens.

How long it takes

  • Usually a few minutes. Most checks are near-instant.
  • Up to 24 hours in cases that need a human review.

You will get a notification when the result is in. The Identity Verification screen always shows the current status.

If the check needs another try

If your verification comes back asking for a retry, the status screen shows a short reason. Tap Restart Verification and try again. Common fixes:

  • Make sure your ID is in focus and not cropped.
  • Use a well-lit room for the selfie and video.
  • Use an ID that is not expired.

If the status is Rejected and you are not sure why, email support@arcawallet.com and the team can look into it.

Sharing with a partner app

When an app you are connected to asks for identity proof, Arca does the handoff:

  1. The app sends a request through your connection (WalletConnect).
  2. Arca shows a consent sheet with the partner’s name.
  3. You review what is being shared and tap Continue (or Deny if you change your mind).
  4. The partner receives the approved verification response.

You can revisit Sharing History any time to see which partners you have shared with.

The short version

  • Verification is optional. Use Arca without it.
  • You may be asked by partner checkout flows or connected apps that require it.
  • You verify once, through Sumsub, and your info stays private.
  • You can share your verification with partner apps, only when you approve it each time.