Overview
Verifiable Credentials (VCs) are the digital equivalent of physical documents like driver's licenses, diplomas, or passports. They allow an 'Issuer' to provide a 'Holder' with a digital claim that can be instantly verified by a 'Verifier' using cryptography.
Key Roles
- Issuer: An entity (like a university) that creates and signs the credential.
- Holder: The individual who receives and stores the credential in their digital wallet.
- Verifier: An entity (like an employer) that checks the credential's validity without needing to contact the issuer directly.
Privacy Features
VCs often use Selective Disclosure and Zero-Knowledge Proofs, allowing a holder to prove they are over 21 without revealing their exact birthdate.