Sovrin Network

2 min read

Pronunciation

[sov-rin net-wurk]

Analogy

Think of the Sovrin Network as a global digital passport office that no single country controls. Just as physical passports allow you to prove your identity across international borders without requiring every country to maintain its own records about you, Sovrin allows you to prove aspects of your digital identity across websites and services without each one storing your personal data. But unlike traditional passport systems where governments maintain centralized control, in Sovrin you hold your own "identity passport" and decide exactly which credentials to share with each service you interact with.

Definition

A public network specifically designed for self-sovereign identity (SSI), enabling individuals and organizations to control their digital identities without relying on centralized authorities. Sovrin provides infrastructure for creating, managing, and verifying decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials through a governance framework that balances privacy, security, and regulatory compliance.

Key Points Intro

Sovrin Network enables self-sovereign identity through several key architectural and governance features.

Key Points

Decentralized governance: Operated by a diverse network of trusted institutions (stewards) under the oversight of the Sovrin Foundation.

Zero-knowledge proofs: Supports selective disclosure allowing users to prove claims (like age verification) without revealing underlying data.

Credential ecosystem: Enables trusted issuers to provide verifiable credentials that users can present to different services while maintaining privacy.

Hyperledger Indy: Built on a purpose-built distributed ledger technology optimized for identity rather than cryptocurrency transactions.

Example

A university joined the Sovrin Network as a credential issuer to provide digital diplomas to graduates. When a student graduated, they received a verifiable credential containing their degree information stored in their digital . Later, when applying for a job, the graduate could share proof of their degree with potential employers without the employer needing to contact the university directly. The employer could instantly verify the credential's authenticity against the Sovrin , confirming that it was issued by the university and hadn't been revoked, while the graduate maintained control over when and with whom to share their educational credentials.

Technical Deep Dive

Sovrin's technical architecture implements a three-layer identity metasystem. At the foundation is the Sovrin , a modified Hyperledger Indy using Plenum (a Byzantine fault-tolerant algorithm) across nodes operated by stewards. Unlike typical blockchains, Sovrin doesn't record personal data ; instead, it stores DIDs (Decentralized Identifiers), DID Documents (containing public keys and service endpoints), credential definitions, revocation registries, and schema definitions. The agent layer consists of edge agents (mobile/desktop applications controlled by identity owners) and cloud agents (always-online services handling communications and backups). The final layer is the credential exchange , which implements W3C Verifiable Credentials and DIDComm messaging standards. Sovrin's zero-knowledge proof system uses Camenisch-Lysyanskaya signatures and advanced cryptographic primitives to enable predicate proofs—allowing verification of claims like "over 21" without revealing exact birthdates. The mechanism employs a permissioned network where nodes must adhere to the Sovrin Governance Framework, a legal agreement covering technical, business, and legal requirements for maintaining the network integrity.

Security Warning

While Sovrin provides infrastructure for self-sovereign identity, the security of your digital identity ultimately depends on how you protect your and recovery keys. Losing access to your without proper backup and recovery mechanisms could result in permanently losing control of your digital identity. Additionally, verify the governance status and trust framework of any organization issuing credentials before accepting them into your .

Caveat

Sovrin faces adoption challenges common to network-effect technologies, requiring coordination between credential issuers, holders, and verifiers to create value. The permissioned model, while addressing regulatory and governance needs, creates some centralization through the Sovrin Foundation's oversight role. Additionally, the complex underlying zero-knowledge proofs and decentralized identifiers creates significant user experience challenges for mainstream adoption. The system also must constantly balance absolute self-sovereignty with practical needs for and compliance with evolving regulations like GDPR and eIDAS.

Related Terms

Identity Wallet

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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