Identity in Web3: From KYC to Verifiable Credentials | Vienna Blockchain Week 2026
Identity in Web3: From KYC to Verifiable Credentials | Vienna Blockchain Week 2026
How do we prove we're human in an AI-driven internet—without sacrificing privacy?
In this briefing from Vienna Blockchain Week 2026, Markus Sabadello and Lucas Götz explore the future of digital identity, decentralized identifiers (DIDs), verifiable credentials, biometrics, and zero-knowledge proofs.
The session explains how Web3 identity moves beyond traditional KYC toward privacy-preserving, user-controlled identity systems that enable trust without surveillance. Learn how decentralized identity standards are already being adopted across governments, enterprises, AI ecosystems, and financial services.
Whether you're building Web3 applications, working in compliance, AI, cybersecurity, or digital infrastructure, this talk provides a practical introduction to one of the most important building blocks of the decentralized internet.
Speakers
Markus Sabadello
Co-Author of the Decentralized Identifiers (DID) Standard
Lucas Götz
Co-Founder & CEO, Ceviu
⏱ Timeline
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Why Digital Identity Must Become Decentralized
01:57 Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) Explained
02:49 The W3C DID Standard
05:04 Verifiable Credentials Explained
06:46 Real-World Adoption Across Governments & Enterprises
07:53 The Challenge of Proving You're Human Online
08:57 Biometrics & Privacy-Preserving Digital Identity
10:26 Encrypted Identity Infrastructure
11:18 Zero-Knowledge Proofs Explained
13:28 Proving Identity Without Revealing Personal Data
14:21 Closing Remarks
As AI agents, digital wallets, and decentralized applications become mainstream, identity is evolving into one of the most critical layers of Web3 infrastructure. This session explores how cryptography, privacy, and decentralized identity standards can enable trusted digital interactions while giving users full control over their personal data.
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