portfelem

Portfelem is a conceptual unit in digital wallet architectures designed to encapsulate a single asset, credential, or entitlement as a self-contained, portable element. Each portfelem is intended to be independently verifiable and transferable between compatible wallets, enabling users to carry diverse rights and holdings with minimal data exposure.

Data model: a portfelem typically includes a unique identifier, a type tag, issuer metadata, issue and expiration dates, and cryptographic evidence such as a signature or verifiable proof. The design emphasizes lightweight disclosure and supports selective disclosure through cryptographic techniques.

Lifecycle: portfelems are issued by trusted authorities, may be revoked or suspended, and pass through states such as issued, active, or revoked. Wallets store portfelems and present proofs to verifiers without disclosing unnecessary information.

Interoperability and use cases: portfelems aim to work across wallet platforms that share a common encoding or standard. Common uses include digital identities, licenses and certifications, tickets, memberships, and portable financial instruments, with offline verification and later synchronization.

Origins and status: the term arose in discussions of portable credentials and plug‑and‑play wallet architectures. While various proposals exist, no universal standard is universally adopted, and implementations differ across platforms.