Service is the first global W3C-compliant Verifiable Credential implementation and will be initially used by China domestic users travelling abroad
Zetrix, a layer 1 public blockchain platform, announced the launch of its groundbreaking Digital Credentials platform, ushering in a new era of secure, convenient, and interoperable credentials verification. This innovative solution addresses the challenges of traditional paper-based credentials, offering a range of benefits that will transform the way individuals, organisations, and governments interact in the digital realm.
The launch marks the commercialisation of the collaboration announced on 18th September 2023 between Malaysia’s MY E.G. Services Berhad and China’s state-owned Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group Co Ltd (“Beitou”), the IT arm of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Investment Group listed as one of China’s Top 500 enterprises.
The launch was held on 9th December 2023 at Ritz-Carlton Hotel Kuala Lumpur and officiated by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
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The service initially will be offered to domestic China nationals who can choose to digitise their National ID or driving licence as a Verifiable Credential (“VC”) on Xinghuo International, the international gateway for China’s national Public Blockchain. Through Zetrix, which is integrated with Xinghuo, the National ID or driving licence VC can then be presented abroad to be authenticated by any verifier wishing to verify the relevant identity or driving licence data according to their needs.
Beitou IT’s integration to China’s nationwide police and transport department databases ensures seamless authentication and digitisation of the documents into VCs.
Furthermore, in view of the immutability of blockchain, verifiers will have the assurance of knowing that the VCs and all data contained in the document are true and genuine.
It is foreseen that besides IDs and driving licences, other important credential documents held by individuals or businesses would also be digitised as VCs in the near future.
Enhancing Security and Combating Breach of Data
The use of digital credentials, with the initial pilot of driving licences based on blockchain technology will significantly enhance security and combat counterfeiting of electronic licences. By leveraging on the Self Sovereign Identity (“SSI”) framework, Zetrix’s Digital Credentials platform enables the real time verification of documents digitised as Verifiable Credentials, providing a robust defence against fraud and forgery.
“In addition to ensuring authenticity, documents digitised as Verifiable Credentials offer the ability for selective disclosure or confirmation of data. For instance, document holders can have their age or their home location verified without actually having to provide their date of birth or full address. This is extremely useful as it protects raw user data from being shared unless absolutely necessary, thus reducing the possibilities of cyber attacks,” explained TS Wong, founder of Zetrix.
Lai Shuiping, Chairman of the Board of Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Investment Group Co.,Ltd, Lai Shuiping, said: “The China-ASEAN digital driving license cross-border verification platform is jointly developed by Beitou IT and MYEG. The platform will continue to expand into providing more convenient services for communication between citizens of China and ASEAN countries, and promote economic development across the entire region.”
“In future, Beitou IT will further strengthen cooperation with Malaysian enterprises in the field of transportation digitalisation, and promote continuous improvement of intelligent transportation in ASEAN countries,” Lai added.
Multi-Chain e-Wallet for International Travelers
Zetrix’s Digital Credentials platform also leverages a multi-chain e-wallet that is able to store Zetrix’s native tokens as well as VCs from Xinghuo International and Ethereum. This feature facilitates seamless cross chain transactions and simplifies identity and document verification across multiple scenarios, enhancing the experience for travelling individuals.
The digital credentials service exemplifies the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards of Verifiable Credentials and Decentralised Identifiers as Self-Sovereign Identity. This will be a key catalyst to enable a greater interoperability across blockchains and decentralised applications.
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