Verifiable Credentials: Concepts to Practice

Kristina Yasuda
Kristina Yasuda
Product Owner, SPRIND - German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation
Abstract

This session introduces the core concepts of Verifiable Credentials (VCs) with a focus on OpenID for Verifiable Credentials (OpenID4VC) protocols, main credential formats (ISO mdoc and IETF SD-JWT VC). We’ll explore real-world use cases, key implementation lessons, and the role of interoperability profiles in enabling secure and scalable deployments. The talk also includes highlights challenges and design decisions across the identity tech stack and updates to different specifications driven by implementation feedback.

00:00:00 Introduction and agenda

00:04:55 Benefits of verifiable credentials

00:09:52 Global adoption and wallet use cases

00:15:59 Technical standards stack overview

00:23:03 Demo: presenting a German PID credential

00:30:33 Protocol layer and OpenID4VC design choices

00:36:09 OpenID4VP presentation flow and DCQL

00:43:30 Digital Credentials API and browser integration

00:51:02 OpenID4VCI credential issuance flow

00:56:21 Pre-authorized and deferred issuance

01:01:09 HAIP interoperability profile

01:02:19 SD-JWT and SD-JWT VC credential formats

01:11:59 Batch issuance, key attestations, and unlinkability

01:19:25 Wrap-up and Q&A