Understanding Wallets and Agents

When we talk about digital credentials, the terms “wallet” and “agent” are often used interchangeably, yet they serve distinct roles in the ecosystem. To clarify:

• Wallets are digital repositories that securely store verifiable credentials or other digital assets. Think of them as the digital equivalent of a physical wallet holding your identity documents, certifications, and access cards.

  Wallets also provide the user interface through which individuals and organisations interact with their credentials, manage them, and present them when required.

• Agents, on the other hand, act on behalf of the wallet’s owner to communicate, negotiate, and transact with other entities within the digital credential system. Agents facilitate the secure exchange of credentials between wallets, handle the complexities of cryptographic operations (like issuing, signing and verification), and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the data exchanged.

So, while a wallet focuses on storage and the usage of credentials, an agent is the active component that operates within the network, executing tasks, making connections, and performing verifications.