The way we manage identity is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the need for greater security, privacy, and user control. Nick Lambert, CEO of Dock Labs, invited Pedro Torres, CEO and Co-Founder of Youverse, and Paul Kenny, from Daon, to discuss decentralized identity and the right way to embed biometrics into it. 

Pedro shared his insights on verifiable credentials (VCs), biometric-bound credentials, and the future of identity ownership. Here’s an inside look at their engaging conversation. 

Redefining identity with Youverse

Nick Lambert: Pedro, can you tell us about yourself and what Youverse does?

Pedro Torres: Absolutely. I’ve been immersed in the digital identity space for over a decade, starting with research in artificial intelligence. At Youverse, we aim to empower 8 billion people to take control of their data and break free from the shackles of bureaucracy.

Our mission focuses on two key areas:

1. For users: Safeguarding privacy, simplifying interactions with businesses, and securing their assets from bad actors.
2. For businesses: Accelerating onboarding, reducing compliance challenges, and minimizing data breach risks.

We believe in creating a world where people truly own their identity data, free from centralized oversight. 🌟

Nick Lambert: How did verifiable credentials come onto your radar?

Pedro Torres: It started during my years in the airport and border control industry, solving complex identity challenges in high-security environments. We realized the principles of secure identity verification had broader applications.

For example, protecting biometric data privacy was a major challenge. We developed distributed biometrics, enabling verification without exposing sensitive data. This paved the way for exploring self-sovereign identity (SSI) and verifiable credentials.

I remember reading the VC standards for the first time and thinking, Why isn’t this already the norm? But adoption challenges were everywhere—decentralized wallets had been around for years with minimal traction. It was both frustrating and exciting.

The state of verifiable credentials today

Nick Lambert: What’s your take on the current VC landscape?

Pedro Torres: VCs are an incredible concept, but adoption is still frustratingly low. This creates a gap where, even though the standard exists, users don’t experience its full benefits because so few businesses support it.

However, there are two promising developments:

1. The EU’s eIDAS 2.0 standards will bring VCs to 500 million people, backed by legislation that encourages business adoption.
2. Adoption cycles for decentralized solutions take time—look at blockchain. Enthusiasts lead the charge, but widespread adoption comes when big players or governments step in. With initiatives like the European Digital Wallet, the timeline for mass adoption will be shortened. 🚀

Addressing common misconceptions

Nick Lambert: Have you encountered misunderstandings about VCs?

Pedro Torres: All the time! For example, some people assume a QR code on a screen is automatically a verifiable credential—even if it’s not decentralized or privacy-preserving.

Others treat VCs as a magical solution for every identity problem, much like the early hype around blockchain or large language models. The reality is more nuanced.

For privacy, there are three key layers to consider:

1. Does a central authority track every use of the credential? VCs solve this.
2. Can I disclose only specific data instead of everything? VCs with selective disclosure address this.
3. Once I’ve shared my data, is it still under my control? Unfortunately, this remains an open challenge. 💡

Biometrics: the key to secure credentials

Nick Lambert: Let’s dive into biometric-bound credentials. What challenges do they solve?

Pedro Torres: They ensure that credentials can only be used by their rightful owners. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a passport photo verifying the holder’s identity.

Most current solutions rely on device-level security—PINs or basic biometrics—which can be bypassed or shared. Biometric-bound credentials tie the credential directly to the individual, enhancing security and trust.

For high-value or high-risk scenarios, this approach is essential. Whether it’s signing contracts, accessing financial services, or verifying age for online platforms, biometrics provide an unshakable layer of security. 🔐

Transforming industries with digital identity

Nick Lambert: Which industries benefit most from these advancements?

Pedro Torres: High-value and high-risk industries stand to gain the most, such as:

• Government identity programs: Making citizen services seamless and secure.
• Financial services: Reducing KYC costs through reusable credentials.
• Age-restricted platforms: Verifying minors’ ages without exposing sensitive documents.

Take Australia, where social networks now require age verification for users under 16. A biometrically bound credential could confirm age without requiring users to upload personal photos or documents, offering both convenience and privacy. 🌐

The future of wallets and ecosystems

Nick Lambert: With mDLs (mobile driver’s licenses) and the EU Digital ID Wallet launching soon, how will the ID verification space evolve?

Pedro Torres: These developments will drive massive adoption and reshape the industry. Biometrics will play a critical role, especially for government-issued credentials like mDLs and the European Digital Identity Wallet.

While Apple and Google will dominate hardware wallets, there’s room for alternatives. Privacy concerns with tech giants mean government and private ecosystems will coexist, each catering to different trust models. 🌍

New opportunities for a decentralized future

Nick Lambert: Do digital IDs create new opportunities?

Pedro Torres: Absolutely. Credentials are like APIs for data—they enable innovation in ways we can’t fully predict. Imagine a “Zapier for verifiable credentials” that connects multiple credentials to create entirely new user experiences.

The infrastructure for issuing, verifying, and securing credentials will be the foundation for these innovations, rather than the wallets themselves. 🔑

Embrace the future of identity

Pedro Torres paints an exciting picture of what’s to come in the digital identity space. From verifiable credentials to biometrically bound solutions, the future promises enhanced security, streamlined processes, and true data ownership for users.

🌟 Watch the full conversation here.

Ready to redefine identity for your organization? 

Contact Youverse today and join the movement toward a secure, seamless business-customer interactions.