The Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF) has played a crucial role in the development of decentralized identity systems since its establishment in 2017. BlockStand standardization expert Markus Sabadello, who is also co-chair of the Identifiers & Discovery Working Group (I&D WG), shares insights into this foundational group.

The Core Role of the DIF I&D WG

The I&D WG is vital for creating and maintaining the identifiers necessary for digital identity systems. Identifiers allow us to reference individuals and entities, facilitating meaningful data exchange. The emergence of Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) further underscores the importance of this group, which focuses on both identifier creation and discovery.

Scope and Work Items

The scope of the I&D WG encompasses the specification and implementation of DIDs, including:

  • Creation and Resolution of DIDs: Establishing interoperable methods.
  • Discovery Protocols: Standardizing formats for metadata linked to identifiers.
  • Security and Trust: Ensuring a reliable identifier infrastructure.

Notable work items include the Universal Resolver, which supports various DID methods, and the DID Registration Specification, outlining standard practices for managing DIDs.

Key Discussions and European Alignment

The group engages in discussions on emerging DID methods and the relationship between DIDs and existing infrastructures. Their work aligns with EU initiatives like the European Digital Identity Wallet and the European Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI), enhancing interoperability in decentralized identity projects.

Participation in the DIF I&D WG

Getting involved with the I&D WG is easy; interested parties can join DIF and participate in discussions via their Slack channel and bi-weekly meetings. The DIF I&D WG welcomes contributions from anyone interested in decentralized identifiers and discovery.

The activities of Markus Sabadello within the DIF I&D WG are supported by BlockStand, aimed at fostering collaboration and leadership in the European blockchain community.

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