Standards & technology
Verifiable credential
A verifiable credential is a tamper-evident digital credential whose authenticity can be confirmed cryptographically, following the W3C Verifiable Credentials data model. It lets an issuer make claims about a person that a verifier can trust instantly, without having to contact the issuer.
Key takeaways
- Based on the W3C Verifiable Credentials standard
- Cryptographically tamper-evident
- Verifiable without contacting the issuer
- Involves three roles: issuer, holder, and verifier
- Can be stored in a digital wallet
What is a verifiable credential?
A verifiable credential is a standardized, machine-verifiable container for claims, for example, “completed X course” or “holds Y license.” The structure and proof follow the W3C Verifiable Credentials data model so any compatible verifier can trust it.
Why verifiable credentials matter
They provide instant trust, privacy, and portability with no central database lookups. A verifier can confirm a credential is authentic and unaltered without phoning the issuer or trusting a single vendor.
How verifiable credentials work
The issuer cryptographically signs the credential; the holder stores it (often in a digital wallet); and the verifier checks the cryptographic proof and the issuer’s identity, frequently using decentralized identifiers (DIDs).
Verifiable credential examples
Examples include a verifiable diploma, a verifiable professional license, and an Open Badges 3.0 badge.
Verifiable credential vs digital credential
All verifiable credentials are digital credentials, but “verifiable credential” specifically refers to the W3C cryptographic model, a stricter, standards-based form of verification.