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At the EU Digital Identity Wallets Forum by the Global Trust Foundation, we witnessed a pivotal shift in the conversation around Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW), and electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS 2.0). What was once a landscape of optimism has become more grounded, with a growing focus on real-world challenges like B2B wallets, interoperability, and the regulatory impact on businesses. Our team left with key insights into these evolving discussions, which are shaping the next phase of digital identity. Here's what the team picked up including our CEO, Product Manager, VP of Engineering, and Principal Frontend Engineer:
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The conference attracted approximately 60 participants, with a surprising majority from the Netherlands. Attendees fell into three main categories: those seeking affordable sources of identity information, others viewing eIDAS 2.0 as a potential solution to streamline internal document exchange processes, and a group of market participants actively developing solutions for eIDAS 2.0 implementation. This diverse mix highlights the range of interests and priorities driving digital identity innovation in the region.
It became evident that the community often dives into discussions without first establishing a common terminology, leading to frequent misunderstandings—particularly when classifying projects or problems. To avoid wasting time, we recommend prioritizing "dictionary alignment" early in discussions. This is especially important given that B2B and B2C use cases can not only overlap but may also significantly oppose each other due to differing requirements, underscoring the need for clarity and mutual understanding. It is also easy to unintentionally dismiss one another's examples by suggesting use cases from a different project class while using the same terms, further highlighting the importance of this alignment.
Liability remains a complex and unresolved issue. With only a partial view of the emerging EUDIW infrastructure, it's difficult to address questions about participants liabilities. Each role within the ecosystem—issuers, wallet holders, relying parties, and other service providers—carries distinct liabilities and provides varying levels of guarantees. A good example of an effectively structured liability model can be found in the credit card ecosystem, where accountability for counterparty risk is built into the network. However, unlike the financial system, which benefits from deep-seated trust anchors established by events like the Bretton Woods Conference, the digital identity ecosystem lacks a similar foundational framework. This historical context underscores the challenges of creating a system that can instill comparable trust and reliability.
Observers noted the need for more defined practices and a Trust Framework to ensure checks and balances. This would also support data integrity across the ecosystem, emphasizing that each participants retains liability, regardless of their role in the trust chain. While onboarding issuers is considered the most critical step for ecosystem development, retail wallet discussions overshadowed corporate wallet considerations. For example, the scientific community shows keen interest in Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) and selective disclosure, technologies that B2B users may find unnecessary or even counterproductive.
Identity fraud continues to be a significant concern. Interestingly, most current identity document verification providers lack liability for their checks, which prompted calls for greater accountability.
The community welcomed the growth of supporting services like archival systems. These additions signify progress toward a comprehensive identity infrastructure.
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One year ago, it was all unicorns and rainbows at conferences about SSI, EUDIW and eIDAS 2.0. We heard that everything was ready, and we had tens of multiple ready-to-use B2C wallets. My own concerns about B2B, certification, and technology clarification were considered unpopular and unimportant.
At the EU Digital Identity Wallets Forum, we saw a significant change. Many people from traditional industries (payments, government agencies, etc.) were present, discussing and asking tough questions. This growing awareness is a positive sign for the future of SSI technology. To make real progress we need to ask the real questions, and overcome the challenges in the reality we sit.
Why do we need it? How should it work? What about the corporate B2B wallets? The need for clear regulation is crucial to ensure the successful implementation of this technology. What exactly does eIDAS 2.0 mean for businesses? Where are the vendors? How do they want to support the initiative on this very tough timeline?
I am not alone anymore. Many business representatives have started to share my questions and start looking for answers. It was great to be in the presence of very smart and target-oriented people, who I’m confident can help the industry answer these questions effectively in this next phase of development.
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Digital wallets are expected to revolutionize how we manage our digital identities, documents, and transactions. However, at the EU Digital Identity Wallets Forum we saw a shared concern that their widespread adoption faces several challenges that need to be addressed.
Key challenges are the diversity of use cases, the need for standardization, and education. While some countries, like the Netherlands, already have effective identification solutions, the EUDIW aims to provide a unified approach. However, many people are unaware of the risks that such an approach brings or don't understand why they need such technology. To succeed, it must offer clear added value over existing systems.
Adoption could significantly increase if we identify and focus on overlapping use cases across different jurisdictions. However, the varying levels of assurance required by local laws, which are not fully addressed in eIDAS 2.0, present a complex landscape to navigate.
The user experience was also a big part of the discussions. Users don't want to deal with the wallet; they simply want to fulfill their needs, like effortlessly opening a car. This raises questions about wallet implementation — should it be a comprehensive "mega app" or just an identification/authentication mechanism?
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People started thinking not just about personal but also organizational (corporate) wallets, it was a hot topic throughout the whole day.
There are still many unanswered questions and even frustrations about the current state of organizational wallets. We still don't know how interoperable all wallets will be. To increase the adoption of wallets (both personal and organizational), we need more use cases to speed up the adoption because they bring real value to end users.
Active support and education by EU member states are needed. People need to understand the importance and value of wallets. Right now, this is a serious area for improvement. Some more positive news, the first steps to production-ready wallets are coming together as Germany announced the development of a real wallet, not a prototype. We are extremely grateful for the technical documentation already provided, and as a solution provider, we are eager for further details in upcoming updates. These insights will enable us to bring even more value to the exciting and rapidly evolving world of EU Digital Identity Wallets!
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In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Petar Chardakov and Jon Shamah for organizing this exceptional Global Trust Foundation event. We're grateful to all the participants for their contributions, from the collaborative group sessions to the insightful hallway conversations, and for the vibrant networking event that brought us together.
A special thanks to Esther Makaay for upholding tradition and spreading the word about usual dinner location for this event — a wonderful gesture that added a warm touch to the event.
This was a truly remarkable gathering, made by great people, and filled with lively thought, co-creation, and deep discussions. The experience offered an extraordinary sense of satisfaction, fuelled by the shared passion for shaping the future of digital identity. Thank you all!
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