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Verifiable Credentials (VC)

Credentials are ubiquitous; they prove a person’s qualification, achievement, or suitability to do something. Simple examples include educational certificates, employment certificates, or government-issued identification cards. While these credentials are extensively used in physical form, their use in the digital world is not as widespread. This can be attributed to the lack of trust and verifiability in the digital realm.

Examples of a credential

A credential typically has the following components:

  • Identification: This includes a photo, name, or identification number of the individual.
  • Issuing Authority Details: Information about the entity or organization that issued the credential, such as a college, university, government, or certification agency.
  • Specific Attributes: Attributes asserted by the issuing authority, such as date of birth, nationality, and so on.
  • Constraints: Information about the terms of use and validity period of the credential.

Verifiable credentials

In the digital world, the concept of verifiable credentials has emerged to address the trust and security concerns associated with digital credentials. Verifiable credentials are more trustworthy and tamper-proof than physical credentials while representing the same information.

Verifiable credentials leverage technologies such as cryptographic signatures and decentralized ledgers to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the credential. They enable individuals to share their qualifications and achievements in a secure and verifiable manner in the digital space.

As the digital world continues to evolve, the adoption of verifiable credentials is expected to grow, providing a more secure and convenient way to establish trust and verify qualifications and achievements.