---
title: "W3C Verifiable Credentials 2.0: definition | KYA glossary"
url: https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/w3c-verifiable-credentials
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
license: © Innopulse Consulting GmbH
---

# W3C Verifiable Credentials 2.0

W3C Verifiable Credentials 2.0 is a data model by the World Wide Web Consortium for digital credentials that an issuer signs and a holder presents to verifying parties.

The data model describes the issuer, holder, validity and the actual claims of a credential in JSON-LD. Version 2.0 has been a W3C Recommendation since May 2025. How a credential is secured is defined by complementary specifications, such as Data Integrity with embedded proofs or securing as JOSE or COSE.

Alongside W3C Verifiable Credentials, the IETF's [SD-JWT VC](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/sd-jwt-vc) has become widespread; it builds on JSON Web Tokens and brings selective disclosure built in. Government wallets in Switzerland and the EU rely heavily on SD-JWT VC; both formats have their fields of use.

## Example

A university issues diplomas as W3C Verifiable Credentials with a Data Integrity proof. An employer verifies the diploma against the university's key. For an [agent mandate](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-mandate) in Switzerland, SD-JWT VC would rather be used, because the e-ID infrastructure builds on it.

## How it differs

W3C Verifiable Credentials are a data model in JSON-LD with various securing mechanisms; SD-JWT VC is a compact format based on JWT with built-in selective disclosure. A detailed comparison is offered by the page “SD-JWT VC or W3C Verifiable Credentials?”.

## In practice

- Choose the format by context: SD-JWT VC for the Swiss e-ID and the EUDI wallet, W3C VC where ecosystems build on it.
- With W3C VC, pay attention to which securing mechanism is used, because verifying parties must support it.
- For agent mandates, plan a format that allows selective disclosure.

## Role in KYA

KYA verifies credentials in the SD-JWT VC and JWS formats. W3C Verifiable Credentials with Data Integrity proofs are not recognized by the engine as a supported format, and the certificate says so instead of assessing them wrongly.

Related check: [Format and schema](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/method/checks) (`parse_schema`). Is the format recognized, are required fields present, is the version supported?

[Verify now: open a matching example](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/verify?beispiel=paket)

## Frequently asked questions

### What are W3C Verifiable Credentials?

A W3C data model for digital credentials that an issuer signs and a holder presents. Version 2.0 has been a W3C Recommendation since May 2025.

### What is the difference from SD-JWT VC?

W3C VC describes credentials in JSON-LD and allows various securing mechanisms. SD-JWT VC builds on JWT and brings selective disclosure built in.

### Which format do government wallets use?

The Swiss e-ID relies on SD-JWT VC; the European framework for the EUDI wallet provides for SD-JWT VC and ISO mdoc.

### Does KYA verify W3C Verifiable Credentials?

KYA verifies SD-JWT VC and JWS. W3C VC with Data Integrity proofs are reported by the engine as an unsupported format instead of being assessed silently.

## Sources

- [W3C: Verifiable Credentials Data Model v2.0](https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model-2.0/)
- [SD-JWT VC (IETF)](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-ietf-oauth-sd-jwt-vc/)

## Related terms

- [SD-JWT VC](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/sd-jwt-vc)
- [Decentralized Identifier (DID)](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/did)
- [Selective disclosure](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/selective-disclosure)
- [Agent passport](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-passport)

---
Quelle: https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/w3c-verifiable-credentials · KYA – Know Your Agent