Self-sovereign identity

[8] The FIDO Alliance proposed an identity model that was no longer account-based, but identified people through direct, private, peer-to-peer connections secured by public/private key cryptography.

Most SSI systems are decentralized, where the credentials are managed using crypto wallets and verified using public-key cryptography anchored on a distributed ledger.

[12] The credentials may contain data from an issuer's database, a social media account, a history of transactions on an e-commerce site, or attestation from friends or colleagues.

These include the eIDAS Regulation, which forms the most important framework for trust in electronic identification in the EU and is a fundamental building block of the digital single market.

The European Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI)[16] has provided the SSI eIDAS Bridge,[17] as a technical implementation that enables a substantial level of trust.

However, in practice, SSI involves complex technical infrastructure, interactions with identity issuers and verifiers, and compliance with legal frameworks.

[21][23] SSI assumes reliable internet connectivity, access to compatible devices, and proficiency in navigating digital systems.

Consequently, marginalized populations, including the elderly, individuals in developing regions, or those with limited technological resources, may face exclusion and reduced access to the benefits of SSI.