DIDs: Decentralized Identifiers Explained for Crypto Users

When you log into a website, you’re giving away your identity to someone else. DIDs, or Decentralized Identifiers, are a way to fix that. Also known as self-sovereign identities, they let you control who sees your data, when, and why—without banks, social media, or crypto exchanges holding your info. This isn’t theory. DIDs are already in use by wallets, NFT marketplaces, and DeFi apps that want you to prove you’re you—without handing over your email, phone number, or government ID.

DIDs work by linking a unique, blockchain-based ID to your crypto wallet. Think of it like a digital passport you carry in your MetaMask or Phantom wallet. You don’t need to sign up for anything. You just generate one, and it stays yours forever. This matters because blockchain identity is the missing piece in Web3. If you own an NFT, stake tokens, or use a DeFi protocol, you’re already part of a system that needs trust—but without centralized gatekeepers. DIDs make that trust possible. They also connect to self-sovereign identity frameworks like Verifiable Credentials, which let you prove things like "I’m over 18" or "I hold this NFT"—without revealing your name, address, or transaction history.

Why does this show up in so many of the posts below? Because DIDs aren’t just about privacy—they’re about access. Projects like OneRare, Unbound, and CUDIS want users to interact with their apps using real identities, not fake accounts. But most people still use centralized logins. That’s why you’ll see posts about airdrops that require identity verification, exchanges that block users without KYC, and wallets that now support DID-based login. The future isn’t anonymous—it’s owned. And DIDs are how you claim it.

Below, you’ll find real examples of how DIDs tie into crypto projects that actually matter—some working, some dead, and others trying to figure it out. No fluff. No hype. Just what’s happening on the ground.