Sovrin Foundation

The Sovrin Foundation was a nonprofit organization established in 2016 that developed and governs the Sovrin Network, a public-permissioned blockchain network designed specifically for Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). The network implements the W3C DID standard and enables individuals and organizations to control their digital identities through verifiable credentials and zero-knowledge proofs.

The technical architecture consists of validator nodes operated by Sovrin Stewards - vetted organizations that maintain the network infrastructure. The network uses Hyperledger Indy as its underlying distributed ledger technology, which was originally developed by the Sovrin Foundation and later contributed to the Linux Foundation. Key technical features include:

• Support for did:sov method specification
• Pairwise pseudonymous identifiers to prevent correlation
• Zero-knowledge proof capabilities for selective disclosure
• Integration with W3C Verifiable Credentials standard
• Byzantine fault tolerance consensus mechanism

Notable adoption includes the Government of British Columbia's OrgBook BC project launched in 2019, which uses the Sovrin Network as part of its Verifiable Organizations Network (VON) initiative for issuing verifiable business credentials. The foundation has established partnerships with over 50 Sovrin Stewards across 13 countries and collaborated with the Trust over IP Foundation to advance SSI standards and adoption. The project maintains active governance through its Trust Framework and technical specifications while operating as a public utility for digital identity.

The Sovrin Foundation will likely shut down its mainnet and cease operations in March 2025: Announcement: February 8, 2025