Decentralized identifier (DID)
A W3C identifier the controller creates and controls, resolving to a document that lists keys and endpoints.
A decentralized identifier, or DID, is a type of identifier defined by the W3C that its controller can create and control without depending on a central registry. A DID resolves to a DID document listing verification methods, such as public keys, and service endpoints. DIDs are often used to identify the issuers and holders of verifiable credentials, and could identify agents, although in finance they are usually combined with a trust framework that says whose identifiers to accept.
Agent Minute explains this term on 14 January 2027.
Related terms
Verifiable credentialA tamper-evident set of claims by an issuer, held by a holder and cryptographically checkable by a verifier.European Digital Identity WalletAn EU wallet app, provided under the European Digital Identity Regulation, for storing and presenting identity data and attestations.Know Your Agent (KYA)Checking which agent is acting, who operates it and whom it acts for, before letting it act.HTTP Message SignaturesAn IETF standard for signing selected parts of an HTTP request or response so the receiver can verify them.