A self-sovereign agent network defends against Sybil infiltration through multi-tiered cryptographic proof-of-delay. Ephemeral identities cannot bypass sequential VDF challenges: each unproven key must grind proofs, establishing identity roots as solid as a jetty pillar. Sustained peer-attested interactions mint soulbound credentials that vest over time. In high-assurance verification, rare mesa delegations require multi-epoch threshold signatures, while any suspicious spiral of sudden clone activity triggers immediate forfeiture of all bonded stakes.