Block Contributes Digital Identity Components to the Decentralized Identity Foundation

In support of its decentralized identity work, Block is contributing foundational components developed under the Web5 umbrella to the Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF). For the past several years, Block has been developing a number of open source components to push decentralized identity forward and return ownership of data and identity to individuals.

This contribution includes open source repositories for Decentralized Identity (including the did:dht DID method), Verifiable Credentials, and Decentralized Web Nodes (DWNs):

• Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs): An open standard created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), DIDs are self-generated and self-owned identifiers that enable identity authentication in a decentralized world. They are comparable to an email address or username, yet are not owned and controlled by a company or stored on centralized servers. They cannot be deleted or altered by anyone except for the individual who owns them.
• Verified Credentials (VCs): Verified credentials (VCs) are digital certificates of claims that are easily shared in a private and secure way. They can prove your legal name, age, ownership of an asset, or anything, really. These can convey the same information as physical credentials like a driver’s license or membership card, but in a more tamper-resistant, digital format.
• Decentralized Web Nodes (DWNs/ DWeb Nodes): With DWeb Nodes, the world now has access to an emerging standard for decentralized storage of app and personal data. This technology was developed by TBD and other contributors in open source organizations. DWeb Nodes enable developers to build decentralized apps and protocols where individuals truly own and control their data.

These components will now reside in DIF’s ecosystem, where they can be further developed and supported by the open source community of decentralized identity experts. DIF, a leading organization developing decentralized identity standards and technologies, will foster these innovations and enable broader adoption by the identity community.

“We are honored to provide a home for these technologies, which are rapidly becoming the backbone of new decentralized applications. As a non-profit foundation committed to decentralized identity, DIF can ensure longevity of these components in a transparent, community-led environment,” said Kim Hamilton Duffy, Executive Director of DIF.

“DIF has the right balance of builders and standards creators, commitment to decentralized identity and open source, and ability to incubate the Web5 SDK and components like DWNs and the did:dht method - where the community can continue to help shape and benefit from these technologies. We look forward to seeing the community’s innovations with these foundational tools and to making decentralized identity accessible to all,” said Manik Surtani, Block Open Source Program Office lead.

As one of the most mature, full-featured decentralized DID methods, did:dht is already advancing toward formal standardization. With support from DIF, W3C, Trust Over IP Foundation, and other leading organizations, this collaboration will bring Web5 innovations closer to reality and promote a robust, privacy-centric digital ecosystem.

Block and DIF are committed to empowering developers, organizations, and communities through open source and open standards. For more information, please visit the DIF blog.