A method for verifying an identity of a new user of an equipment online marketplace platform is disclosed. The method may include: receiving a request from a new user to join an equipment online marketplace network to trade equipment through the equipment online marketplace platform; broadcasting a message to existing users to verify and endorse an identity of the new user to allow the new user to join the equipment online marketplace network to trade equipment through the equipment online marketplace platform; receiving endorsements of the identity of the new user from the existing users; if the identity of the new user is endorsed by a threshold number of existing users, permitting the new user to join the equipment online marketplace network and trade equipment through the equipment online marketplace platform; and storing the identity of the new user as a blockchain entry in a shared ledger.