etzec

Etzec is an open-source protocol and ecosystem for privacy-preserving data exchange and verifiable credentials. It enables individuals to prove attributes to third parties without revealing the underlying data, using cryptographic proofs and a decentralized governance model.

The project originated in 2022 from a collaboration of researchers and developers seeking to minimize data exposure while preserving trustworthy attestations. A reference implementation and documentation were released in 2023 under an open-source license, and a community-driven foundation oversees governance, security reviews, and roadmap planning.

Etzec employs a modular architecture that blends a distributed ledger for auditability with off-chain data storage and verifiable credential standards. Issuers mint credentials, holders store them in secure wallets, and verifiers request proofs. The system supports selective disclosure, credential revocation, and revocation registries. It relies on cryptographic commitments and zero-knowledge proofs to validate attributes without exposing sensitive information, and it includes interoperability layers to align with established verifiable credential specifications.

Security and privacy: The design prioritizes data sovereignty and minimal disclosure, with subject consent and revocation as core features. Performance considerations focus on proof size, verification speed, and user-friendly wallet experiences.

Usage and status: Etzec is explored in pilot projects across education, employment verification, and healthcare data sharing. No single entity controls the network; multiple implementers contribute through a common interface and governance process. Ongoing audits and community feedback drive updates.