The Dutch Trust Network (DTN) was started in 2020. It provides a basic infrastructure for self-sovereign identity applications and the practical realisation of a Dutch network for such applications. In this way it is an implementation of the theoretical framework set up within the DBC for Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI).
Several members of the Dutch Blockchain Coalition concluded in 2020 that there were no usable networks available for scaling up Dutch applications for decentralised digital identities (i.e., Self-Sovereign Identity). Although the technology for self-sovereign identity (generally abbreviated to SSI) is often available as open source, and as a result is widely experimented with in pilots and proofs of concept, the environments where this type of application can be scaled up are scarce.
The SSI infrastructures (trust networks) that currently exist – such asSovrin (US), Findy (FI), ID Union (DE) and Alastria (ES) – are governed underby foreign jurisdictions, and may have very opaque business models or are insufficiently scalable. This was one of the reasons for setting up the DTN. The Dutch governance setup is what makes this network unique.
The DTN was set up by Dutch participants, focusing on decentralised identity applications that could be used in the Netherlands initially.
The aim here is emphatically to become or remain interoperable with international initiatives such as the European EBSI infrastructure and other SSI networks such as those mentioned above. The DTN uses international standards to facilitate that interoperability.
The current DTN service consists of access to the DTN network (which is based on Hyperledger Indy) plus the associated supporting processes that can ensure it runs correctly. Services will be added to this in the future.
SSI applications can obtain access to the DTN network in two ways.
- By becoming a DTN participant in their own right – running their own node and providing input to the DTN governance, which gives them a say in the future of the DTN project, or
- By signing a contract with an existing DTN participant.
