Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs)
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Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) are a type of globally unique identifier that enables verifiable, decentralized digital identity. Unlike traditional identifiers, DIDs are:
Self-sovereign: Controlled by the identity owner, not a central authority
Persistent: Do not require the continued operation of an underlying organization
Cryptographically verifiable: Allow the controller to prove control without requiring permission
A DID looks like this: did:method:specific-idstring, where the method specifies how the DID operates.
LearnCard supports multiple DID methods, each with different characteristics:
did:key
Generates a digital ID directly from a cryptographic key, often stored locally (e.g., in a JWK file).
Simple IDs tied directly to a specific crypto key.
did:web
Uses a standard website address (domain name) to make a digital ID's information publicly and securely findable online.
Digital IDs for organizations or websites.
did:pkh
Creates a digital ID directly from a public blockchain address (like a crypto wallet address), supporting multiple blockchain types through a common standard (CAIP).
Linking digital IDs to various blockchain accounts.
did:jwk
Directly transforms a cryptographic key (in JWK format) into a full digital ID and its associated information.
Representing a cryptographic key as a complete digital ID.
did:test
Generates sample digital IDs and related data, specifically for testing software that uses DIDs.
Testing and ensuring DID systems work correctly.
did:ethr
A widely-used method for digital IDs on the Ethereum blockchain, common in many Web3 applications.
Digital IDs for apps and services on Ethereum.
did:ion
Creates highly scalable and decentralized digital IDs using the Bitcoin network, secured by the Sidetree protocol.
Scalable and secure IDs on the Bitcoin blockchain.
did:tezos
Creates digital IDs that are linked to accounts on the Tezos blockchain.
Digital IDs for users and apps on Tezos.
Proof Type
Description
Common Use Case
RSASignature2018
A widely recognized digital signature method using RSA cryptography, common in traditional web security.
Verifying authenticity in systems familiar with established RSA standards.
Ed25519VerificationKey2018 / Ed25519Signature2018
A modern, fast, and secure digital signature method using Ed25519 keys.
High-performance, secure verification in newer systems and many blockchains.
EcdsaSecp256k1Signature2019
A digital signature method widely used by Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other blockchain platforms (uses the secp256k1 curve).
Securing transactions and identities in many popular blockchain ecosystems.
EcdsaSecp256r1Signature2019
A digital signature method commonly used in web security (like TLS/SSL) and various industry standards (uses the P-256 curve).
Ensuring authenticity in standard web communications and enterprise applications.
EcdsaSecp256k1RecoverySignature2020
A specialized digital signature (secp256k1 curve) where the signer's public key (or address) can be found directly from the signature itself.
Creating compact proofs in systems like Ethereum where sender identity is derived.
Eip712Signature2021
A way to sign structured, human-readable data on Ethereum, making it clearer to users what they are approving.
User-friendly signing of detailed information in Ethereum applications.
JsonWebSignature2020 (JWS)
A standard method for creating digital signatures using JSON, offering flexibility with different signature algorithms.
Securely signing data for web applications and APIs, commonly used with JWTs.
When using the , the ID control plane provides standardized methods for working with DIDs: