What Is A Decentralized Identifier (DID) And Verifiable Credential (VC)?
A Decentralized Identifier (DID) is a self-owned, globally unique identifier that is not controlled by any central authority. The DID enables the use of Verifiable Credentials (VCs)—cryptographically signed, tamper-proof digital proofs of attributes (e.g., age, degree)—allowing users to control and disclose only the minimum required information.
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🕒 7:43 PM
📅 Oct 29, 2025
✍️ By Nathanael707
Defining Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs)A DID is the foundation of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). It is a permanent, user-controlled identifier that points to a DID Document (often stored on a decentralized ledger) containing public keys and service endpoints.
Self-Sovereign: The user creates and maintains their identity without reliance on a government or corporation.
DID Document: Contains the public keys necessary for others to verify the user's claims.
Defining Verifiable Credentials (VCs)
A VC is a cryptographic token representing a real-world claim, issued and digitally signed by an Issuer (e.g., a University, a bank).
Credential: A digital version of an ID card, degree, or certificate.
Privacy-Preserving: The user (Holder) can present the VC to a Verifier to prove a claim (e.g., "I am over 21") without revealing the underlying data (date of birth).
Trustless Verification: The Verifier uses the Issuer's public key (from their DID Document) to confirm the VC's signature and validity.