W3C-DID

W3C DID Core 1.0 decentralized identifiers.

Definition

W3C DID format: did:<method>:<method-specific-id> (e.g. did:ethr:0x123..., did:web:example.com, did:key:z6MkpTHR8...). DID Document contains: id (the DID), verificationMethod (public keys), authentication, assertionMethod, keyAgreement, capabilityInvocation, service endpoints. DID Methods registered in W3C DID Spec Registries: ~155 methods including did:web, did:key, did:ethr, did:sov, did:ion, did:peer, did:plc (Bluesky), did:jwk. Resolution via Universal Resolver (DIF).

Origin

W3C DID Working Group created September 2019 ; DID Core 1.0 published W3C Recommendation 19 July 2022 ; DID Resolution v1.0 published 2024 ; ~155 registered DID methods 2024.

Example in context

Bluesky uses did:plc method for its users ; each account is addressable via did:plc:abcdef123 resolved to JSON DID Document via PLC directory ; integrated with ATProto AT Protocol.

Related terms

• W3C VC — uses DIDs.