Verifiable Credentials (VC)
Cryptographically Verifiable Claims for Web5, Identity, Reputation, and Trust.
The Verifiable Credentials (VC) framework is currently under active development. Specifications, issuance flows, revocation mechanisms, credential schemas, and Web5 integrations may evolve as the protocol matures.
Verifiable Credentials (VCs) are digitally signed credentials that allow individuals, organizations, applications, and institutions to prove facts without relying on centralized databases.
Within the Sahyadri ecosystem, Verifiable Credentials serve as the foundation for trustless identity, decentralized reputation, human verification, access control, compliance systems, and future Web5 applications.
Unlike traditional certificates stored inside centralized servers, Verifiable Credentials are owned directly by the user and can be verified anywhere using cryptographic proofs.
Own your credentials. Control your data. Prove facts without revealing everything.
What is a Verifiable Credential?
A Verifiable Credential is a digitally signed statement issued to a DID.
The credential may contain claims such as:
- Human Verification
- Age Verification
- Nationality Verification
- Educational Certificates
- Membership Credentials
- Employment Records
- Business Certifications
- Financial Reputation
- Access Permissions
- Digital Ownership Records
Every credential is cryptographically signed and can be independently verified without contacting the issuer.
Relationship Between DID and VC
DID
Identity
VC
Claims
Trust
Verifiable Identity
The DID identifies the holder.
The VC proves facts about that holder.
Human Verification Credentials
Sahyadri introduces Human Verification Credentials, commonly referred to as Human Badges.
A Human Badge confirms that a decentralized identity belongs to a real unique human being.
Applications can verify humanity without accessing personal information.
Privacy Preservation
Traditional identity systems require users to expose documents, personal information, and sensitive records.
Sahyadri VCs allow selective disclosure.
Applications only receive proof that a claim is true.
Applications do not need access to the underlying data.
| Traditional Identity | Sahyadri VC |
|---|---|
| Share entire document | Share proof only |
| Centralized database | User controlled wallet |
| Data collection | Selective disclosure |
| Privacy risk | Privacy preserving |
Credential Structure
Every Verifiable Credential follows a standardized structure.
{
"id": "vc:sahyadri:001",
"issuer": "did:sahyadri:issuer",
"holder": "did:sahyadri:user",
"type": "HumanBadge",
"issued": "2026-01-01",
"signature": "..."
}Credentials can be verified independently by any verifier.
Credential Lifecycle
Revocation System
Credentials may occasionally become invalid.
Sahyadri supports decentralized credential revocation mechanisms.
- Expired Credentials
- Compromised Credentials
- Withdrawn Certifications
- Membership Revocation
- Compliance Violations
Revocation status can be verified directly through the Sahyadri network.
Future Web5 Applications
Verifiable Credentials form the foundation for future Web5 infrastructure.
- Decentralized Login
- Human Verification
- Reputation Systems
- DAO Governance
- Digital Passports
- Financial Reputation
- Education Records
- Professional Certifications
- Healthcare Credentials
- Enterprise Identity Systems
Sahyadri Vision
The long-term goal is to create a universal trust layer where identities can carry verifiable proofs across applications, organizations, governments, financial systems, and digital ecosystems without sacrificing privacy.
Users should own both their identity and their credentials.
No platform should control either.
Summary
Verifiable Credentials are cryptographically signed claims linked to a DID. They enable trustless verification, privacy-preserving authentication, decentralized reputation, and future Web5 identity systems.
DID answers: Who are you?
VC answers: What can you prove?
Together they form the identity layer of the Sahyadri ecosystem.