Blockcerts

Blockcerts is an open standard for creating, issuing, viewing, and verifying blockchain-based digital credentials that was initially developed by the MIT Media Lab and Learning Machine (now Hyland Credentials) in 2016. The system enables institutions to issue tamper-proof digital records that are registered on the blockchain, cryptographically signed, and directly shareable by recipients.

The technical implementation uses the Bitcoin blockchain as its primary trust anchor, though it supports multiple blockchains including Ethereum. The system consists of several key components: an issuer module for creating and registering credentials, a verifier for checking authenticity, and a mobile Blockcerts Wallet app that allows recipients to store and share their credentials. The standard implements the W3C Verifiable Credentials Data Model and integrates with Open Badges specifications. Notable technical features include:

• Recipient-owned credentials using public-private key pairs
• Blockchain anchoring via OP_RETURN transactions
• Merkle proofs for efficient verification
• Support for credential revocation
• Integration with institutional identity systems

The system was first piloted at MIT in 2017 with 111 graduates receiving digital diplomas, and has since been adopted by other institutions including the University of Melbourne. The project maintains an open-source codebase under the MIT License and actively encourages community contributions to build an interoperable ecosystem for digital credentials.