Digital identities are becoming increasingly important in our rapidly evolving technology-based and data-driven economy and society.
Digital identities have the potential to impact our lives in numerous ways, from promoting inclusion and facilitating social coordination to transforming how we interact with government services and healthcare. In this article, we will explore 7 ways how digital identities could impact our lives, including identity and global development, self-sovereign identity for Web3, social coordination and decentralized decision-making, government, health, education, and supply chain management.
- Identity and Global Development: Digital identities have the potential to revolutionize inclusion in various aspects of our daily lives. They can shape the opportunities and rights available to individuals and determine the level of choice and control they have over their representation in economic, political, and societal institutions. By providing a secure and reliable way to verify identity, digital identities can empower individuals and promote their participation in global development
- Self-Sovereign Identity for Web3: Self-sovereign identity is a concept that allows individuals to have ownership and control over their digital identities, rather than relying on centralized authorities. In the context of Web3, which encompasses decentralized applications and blockchain technology, self-sovereign identity becomes particularly relevant. It enables individuals to manage their digital identities independently, ensuring privacy, security, and autonomy in their online interactions
- Social Coordination and Decentralized Decision-Making: Digital identities play a crucial role in enabling social coordination and decentralized decision-making. By providing a secure and reliable way to verify identity and reputation, digital identities foster trust and cooperation in online communities. They allow individuals to build their online presence, establish credibility, and engage in collaborative efforts with others. This facilitates decentralized decision-making processes and empowers communities to coordinate and work together effectively
- Government: Digital identities have the potential to transform how we interact with government services. They can make these services more efficient, reliable, and secure. By implementing digital identity systems, governments can streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance citizen engagement. Digital identities also promote the conditions for digital development centered on people and their evolving usage habits, ultimately leading to more citizen-centric governance
- Health: Digital identities play a crucial role in healthcare by enabling secure and efficient sharing of medical records and other sensitive information. They facilitate interoperability among healthcare providers, ensuring that individuals receive seamless and coordinated care. Digital identities also support research efforts by providing a foundation for data sharing and analysis, leading to advancements in medical treatments and improved care pathways
- Education: Digital identities have the potential to transform education by providing a secure and reliable way to verify identity and credentials. They help prevent fraud and ensure that individuals receive the recognition they deserve for their achievements. Digital identities enable seamless and efficient processes for enrollment, certification, and verification, making education more accessible, transparent, and trustworthy
- Supply Chain Management: Digital identities are instrumental in supply chain management. They can verify the identity of suppliers and ensure the authenticity of products. By incorporating digital identities into supply chain processes, organizations can enhance traceability, transparency, and accountability. This helps prevent counterfeiting, fraud, and other illicit activities, ultimately improving the efficiency and integrity of supply chains.
Digital Identity as a Token
Soulbound Tokens (SBTs) are a new type of digital identity token that represent an individual’s or entity’s features, accomplishments, and qualities. They are issued by “souls” which represent the identity of a person or entity. SBTs offer a new way to perform KYC due diligence, map consumer risk profiles, and establish a verified online brand. One of the advantages of using SBTs for credential verification purposes is that since information is permanently replicated on the blockchain, no one can falsify it. Moreover, any awards and certificates earned by an individual can be publicly verifiable via SBTs.
Why Do We Need SBTs?
With the upcoming MiCA Regulation that will require all crypto platforms, including Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs), NFT Marketplaces, and DeFi Platforms, to verify the identity of their customers (KYC). This means they’ll need to know who their users are, which could create a high demand for KYC providers. However, there might be a problem because the existing infrastructure might not be enough to handle this surge in demand.
At Swipelux, we are developing an exciting solution based on Soulbound Tokens called Zero ID, which aims to save users from the recurring hassle of KYC processes. For businesses, Zero ID opens up a smoother and more efficient onboarding process, reducing dropout rates. In terms of security, sharing less data means low risks. So, it enables businesses to be more user-friendly and comply with regulations. Together, we can revolutionize the way we prove our ‘humanity’ to the internet, making the journey into the world of Web3 a seamless experience.
Stay tuned!