Blockchain-based Decentralized and Self-Sovereign Identities
Coach Name
Juan Juan
EU Organization
Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (TUIASI), Romania
Members
- Cristian Nicolae Butincu
- Adrian Alexandrescu
- Mitica Craus
- Silviu Dumitru Paval
- Alexandru Archip
- Catalin Mironeanu
- Marius Gavrilescu
- Delia Elena Barbuta
- Stefan Robert Ciocan
- Simona Caraiman
- Tamas Bakos
US Organization
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), USA
Members
- Houbing Herbert Song
- Safayat Bin Hakim
- Kamal Acharya
- Wenkai Tan
Project Overview
DIDSSI develops a blockchain-based decentralized identity protocol designed to support self-sovereign identities (SSIs) and simplify the entire lifecycle of international student mobility programs.
Through decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and privacy-preserving credential management, the system allows students to fully control their academic documents, identity data, and the permissions they grant to universities or other institutions.
The platform eliminates reliance on centralized identity providers (e.g., Google, LinkedIn), preventing data overcollection, unauthorized access, and lock-in. Students’ credentials are securely encrypted in the DIDSSI digital wallet, while verification data is anchored on a permissioned blockchain using Proof-of-Authority consensus.
Designed to streamline application, enrollment, completion, and return processes across borders, DIDSSI provides a trusted, standards-aligned infrastructure supporting the W3C Verifiable Credentials Data Model, Decentralized Identifiers, and OpenID-based protocols.
Methods and approaches
Standards-Driven SSI Architecture + Blockchain Trust Layer
DIDSSI integrates W3C Verifiable Credentials, DID Documents, Controlled Identifiers, and modern cryptographic integrity proofs, then anchors DID documents and trust registries on a blockchain network built with Hyperledger Besu and Proof-of-Authority consensus.
Smart contracts manage issuer registries, verification policies, and credential metadata, ensuring tamper-proof provenance.
User-Controlled Digital Wallet and University Integration Modules
A dedicated DIDSSI Digital Wallet (desktop browser extension) was developed to:
- store decentralized identities and key pairs,
- hold academic credentials,
- verify credential authenticity,
- issue verifiable presentations.
Universities integrate through four lightweight modules (Credential Manager, Subject Manager, Mobility Application, Mobility Return), enabling seamless student mobility flows.
Key Achievements
End-to-end decentralized identity platform including blockchain backend, APIs, trust services, and DID registry.
DIDSSI Digital Wallet enabling secure storage and management of DIDs and credentials.
University CORE reference implementation to simplify adoption by higher-education institutions.
Fully functional workflows for:
- DID login
- credential issuing & claiming
- mobility application & verification
- mobility return & grade updates
Extensive R&D:
- analysis of 20 DID papers, 20 SSI papers, 15 decentralized trust papers, and multiple standards bodies/working drafts
- reports on blockchain types, consensus protocols, digital wallets, and credential models
Two scientific publications (IEEE Access, BCCA 2025).
A video demo showing the mobility process between TUIASI and UMBC.
Pitch decks, KPIs tracker, architecture documentation, and API references.
Impact & Results
Scientific Impact
DIDSSI contributes new research on decentralized identity, access-control policies, and blockchain-anchored verification, resulting in publications in IEEE Access (2024) and BCCA 2025.
Industrial Impact
The DIDSSI infrastructure enables third-party service integration (e.g., accommodation, translation, travel services) and could support future startups leveraging tokenomics or SSI-backed value chains.
Economic Impact
By simplifying international student mobility, the project enhances the exchange of knowledge and skills, which ultimately promotes workforce quality and economic growth.
Social Impact
SSI-based mobility improves inclusiveness, reduces bureaucracy, and supports secure, privacy-preserving educational collaboration across borders.
EU–US collab. impact
The partnership resulted in new long-term collaborations, including joint involvement in the IEEE Trustworthy IoT Working Group and planned participation in future NGI calls and conferences such as IEEE AIoT 2025.
Publications and Open-Source Contributions
- DIDSSI Platform Website: https://didssi.tuiasi.ro
- Video Demo (KPI 8.2)
- Digital Wallet User Guide (KPI 9.2)
- DIDSSI Pitch Decks (full & light)
- University CORE reference implementation
- Scientific Publications:
- IEEE Access (2024)
- BCCA 2025 (accepted)
- Open-source code (MIT license) — access via email request to TUIASI (repository access controlled).
Future directions