We live in an era of deepfakes, credential fraud, and institutional scepticism. The old model — where trust was granted based on a
logo, a PDF, or a handshake — is breaking down. Welcome to the zero-trust world, where every claim needs to be independently
verifiable.
The Problem with Traditional Credentials
Paper certificates get lost. PDF copies get forwarded. Logo files get downloaded by anyone with a browser. The fundamental issue
is that traditional credentials are static artefacts — snapshots of a moment in time that say nothing about the present.
Consider these scenarios:
- A contractor displays a safety certification that expired six months ago
- A consultant shares a membership logo from an organisation they no longer belong to
- A graduate presents a qualification from an institution that has since revoked their degree
In each case, the credential looks legitimate. But it isn't. And the person relying on it — an employer, a client, a regulator —
has no efficient way to verify the truth.
Enter Blockchain-Backed Verification
Blockchain technology offers a compelling solution: immutable, timestamped records that can be verified by anyone, anywhere, at
any time. When applied to credentials, it transforms a static document into a living, verifiable asset.
This is the principle behind Sigalmark. Each credential is encoded as a two-layered NFT — not for speculation or trading, but as a
permanent, tamper-proof record of issuance. The result is a QR code that, when scanned, reveals the real-time status of the
credential: who issued it, when, and whether it remains valid.
From "Trust Me" to "Verify Me"
The shift from assumed trust to verified trust isn't just a technological upgrade — it's a cultural one. Organisations that adopt
verifiable credentials signal to their stakeholders that they take integrity seriously. They're saying: "Don't just take our word
for it. Check for yourself."
This matters particularly in sectors where trust is the product:
- Sustainability networks where greenwashing erodes public confidence
- Professional bodies where credential fraud undermines standards
- Education providers where qualification validity affects career outcomes
The Road Ahead
As regulatory frameworks catch up with digital reality — from the EU's Digital Product Passport initiative to the UK's push for
digital identity standards — the demand for verifiable credentials will only grow. Organisations that invest in trusted
verification now will be ahead of the curve.
The zero-trust world doesn't mean a world without trust. It means a world where trust is earned through transparency and proven
through verification. That's the future Sigalmark is building.
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