❓FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions.

Identity

What are Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs)?​

• Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) - These are like aliases for our existing addresses (Ethereum address, email address, website, Bitcoin address, etc.) that make it easy to prove ownership and control over other identifiers.

• DID Method - There several different ways to create DIDs (over 100 in fact!) but because different types of identifiers (like Ethereum addresses or Bitcoin addresses) work slightly differently and are rooted in different systems we need a set of rules about how to create and interact with DIDs made out of the different identifiers. A DID Method is simply those rules!

• DID Document (DDO) - DIDs need DID Documents. A DID Document is a file that lists the current state of the DID as well as other public keys and endpoints for how to interact with that DID. The DID Document is where the magic of DIDs happens!

• DID Communication Protocol (DIDComm) - This is a protocol that allows two DIDs to open a secure channel between them and send messages back and forth.

What are Verifiable Credentials (VCs)?​

• Verifiable Credentials are specially formatted data that you can put on your Disco profile. Think of them like a digital version of your membership cards, IDs, library cards, or any other important document that you get from some other authority.

• Signed: In most cases, A verifiable Credential is cryptographically signed by one DID about another DID, and because the credential is signed it means nobody can tamper with the credential.

• Also Known As: Verifiable Credentials are the official name of the technical standard for this type of data but you might hear them referred to as Attestations, Claims, or even Badges.

• Encrypted: A VC can be encrypted using the subject’s DID so that only the subject and the issuer know what is in the credential.

Where does Disco store my credentials?​

• Credentials need to be stored somewhere! Because putting personal information on a blockchain ranges from suboptimal to dangerous (for several reasons), the credential needs to be stored somewhere else. Disco currently uses the Ceramic network and Secure Storage on AWS, but will be integrating many different storage solutions over time.

Are my Disco credentials portable?​

• Your data is yours! It’s the whole point of Disco. If you have a Verifiable Credential on your Disco profile, you can take your Verifiable Credentials along with you to unlock access to other apps and spaces. Because your VC is signed, encrypted, and tamper-evident, you can safely move it across storage solutions and environments without damaging its integrity.

Are my Disco credentials private?​

• Yes, your credentials are private by default. This means that a credential that you receive is automatically encrypted so that only you can see it. You can make your credentials public by decrypting them so that others can see them on your public profile page. You can always make it private again if you change your mind. Just remember, once you make a credential public anyone can copy the data to an archive, that’s just the nature of the internet.

What is a Verifiable Credential Subject?​

• Sometimes referred to as the “Credential Holder”. The subject is the person or entity that a Verifiable Credential is written about. For instance, you are the subject of your Passport.

What is a Relying Party?​

• A Relying Party is an individual or organization that relies upon data presented in a Verifiable Credential to inform app logic, unlock access to certain privileges, or other forms of access enabled by data verification.

What is a Verifiable Credential Schema?​

• A schema is a template for a Verifiable Credential. For example, driver’s licenses, passports, or diplomas all contain similar data organized in similar ways. This allows relying parties to interpret them easily no matter who the issuer is. Schemas allow us to do the same thing for Verifiable Credentials.

Using Disco

• To create your data backpack, visit https://app.disco.xyz/

• To become an Issuer, and access the Issuer Dashboard, visit https://issuer.disco.xyz/

How can I issue credentials using Disco?​

• As a Holder, you can send credentials to another person from your data backpack. See these instructions.

• As an Issuer, you can create drops and distribute credentials via URL or QR, and gain valuable insights in the dashboard. See instructions here.

How can I issue a large amount of credentials?

• You can create drops and distribute credentials for your end-users to claim via a unique URL or QR code. But first, you will need to become an Issuer by creating an Issuer account here. Reach out to us if you have more than 10,000 credentials you'd like to issue.

How do I create credentials about myself?

• You can create self-attested credentials by going to your data backpack and then clicking on Send Credential button in the top right.

  • In the Set Recipient field, input your own DID or search for your social handles.

  • Fill out the rest of the form, and then click on Preview

  • Proceed to click Send if everything looks good

  • Sign with your wallet and that's it.

What types of credentials can I issue?​

• You can issue the following credential types:

  • Attendance

  • Beta User

  • Bookmark

  • Certificate of Completion

  • Contribution

  • GM

  • Guest Speaker

  • Membership

  • Participation

  • More to come!

• You can find these credential types by clicking on Choose Credential Type when you send a credential to another person. If you don't see a credential type you want, please reach out to us at [e-mail]

What type of accounts can I link?​

• Right now we offer the ability to link X (Twitter) handle.

• Coming soon, you will be able to link your Lens handle, ENS, and .box Domains.

How do I make a credential public?

• You can toggle your credentials public or private by going to your inbox, choosing a credential, and clicking the eye icon to make it public. A reminder that by doing so, the API will surface this credential to other apps! See detailed instructions here.

Does Disco only work for Ethereum?​

• Disco is EVM compatible. This means if you are on any EVM-compatible chain, you can sign in with Metamask to create a DID, and you'll be able to play!

Can I partner with Disco?​

• Of course! We are always eager to onboard and work with new projects! Get in touch here!