# UZH Blockchain Wallet for Digital Credentials

> The UZH Blockchain Wallet is a completed pilot project by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics at the University of Zurich for creating tamper-proof digital credentials such as student IDs, academic transcripts, and diplomas via a smartphone app. The system is based on Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and blockchain technology, enabling students to securely and manipulation-proof manage their university credentials. During the pilot project from February 2022 to May 2023, approximately one hundred credentials were successfully issued and all use cases were tested.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Schools and universities · **Organisation:** Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät der Universität Zürich (UZH) · **Maturity level:** Pilot

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/wirtschaftswissenschaftliche-fakultaet-der-universitaet-zuerich

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Pilot
- **Evidence:** Evidence medium
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics at the University of Zurich (OEC, UZH) developed the UZH Blockchain Wallet as a production system for the digital issuance and management of university certificates. The system is documented as an active innovation project on the UZH website.

The UZH Wallet system uses blockchain-based Verifiable Credentials (W3C standard): The university cryptographically signs the certificate; the graduate receives it in their wallet app; employers and other universities can verify it immediately by scanning a QR code or via direct wallet-to-wallet transmission. No paper copies, no certified documents, no calls to the university. Key strengths: (1) Immutability: The certificate cannot be altered after issuance. (2) Self-determination: Graduates decide who can see their data. (3) Lifelong validity: The certificate never expires and remains verifiable even after the university closes. Compatibility: UZH follows W3C standards for Verifiable Credentials and EU-EBSI standards — ensuring international interoperability. Approved as Bachelor, Master, and certificate documents.

## Benefits

- Educational institutions can strengthen their reputation through tamper-proof certificates and reduce administrative costs for document management.
- Graduates can immediately and reliably prove their qualifications during applications, improving their chances in the job market.
- The blockchain-based solution completely eliminates the risk of forged or manipulated educational certificates.
- Students receive immediate access to their certificates and diplomas without waiting for physical documents.
- Decentralised storage ensures that certificates remain available and verifiable in the long term.
- Administrative staff save time issuing and verifying certificates through automated processes.

## Challenges

- Educational institutions must invest in new technology infrastructure and train staff in using the system.
- Students must develop trust in the new technology and learn how to manage their digital wallet securely.
- Acceptance of the new technology among students, faculties, and external partners must first be established.
- Integration into existing university systems and administrative processes requires extensive technical adjustments.
- Administrative staff need to become familiar with new digital processes and may need to adapt existing workflows.

## Technology foundation

The UZH Blockchain Wallet uses Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) combined with blockchain technology to store and manage digital certificates tamper-proof. This technology enables users to control their digital identity data themselves, while the blockchain ensures the immutability and authenticity of the certificates.

## Sources

- [UZH Blockchain Wallet](https://www.oec.uzh.ch/de/current/innovation/uzh-wallet.html)
- [UZH Blockchain Wallet](https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/current/innovation/uzh-wallet.html)