JSON-LD

Issue and present JSON-LD credentials signed by cheqd Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), using ACA-Py.

JSON-LD Verifiable Credentials follow the W3C Verifiable Credentials Data Model, enabling decentralized, semantically rich, and interoperable credential exchange.

In Aries Cloud Agent Python (ACA-Py), you can issue, verify, and present JSON-LD credentials using the Issue Credential v2 and Present Proof v2 protocols—alongside support for Linked Data Proofs and various signature suites.

Get Started

Issue and present JSON-LD credentials with ACA-Py using the tutorials below:

Issue JSON-LD Credentials

Issue JSON-LD Credentials signed by cheqd DIDs using ACA-Py.

Present JSON-LD Credentials

Present JSON-LD Credentials using ACA-Py.

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Why Use JSON-LD?

JSON-LD credentials are ideal for ecosystems that require:

• Standards-aligned, interoperable credentials

• Richly structured, linked data

• Flexible signature types (e.g. Ed25519, BBS+)

• Integration with W3C-conformant wallets and identity providers

• Compatibility with OpenID for Verifiable Credentials (OID4VC) and EU Digital Identity Wallet initiatives

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Extensibility for cheqd Functionality

Thanks to the flexibility of the W3C VC data model, JSON-LD credentials can be extended to support advanced cheqd-native features, including:

🔗 DID-Linked Resources

• Credentials can reference schemas, governance frameworks, or legal documents published as DID-Linked Resources on the cheqd ledger

• Use the termsOfUse or credentialSchema fields to point to cheqd-hosted resources

🏛️ Trust Registries

• A credential can reference a trust registry (also a DID-Linked Resource) that defines the rules, requirements, or authorisations under which the credential was issued

🚫 Status Lists (Revocation)

• cheqd-compatible Bistring Status List entries can be referenced using the credentialStatus field, enabling scalable and private revocation

• These status lists can also be stored as DID-Linked Resources on cheqd

🔧 These extensions follow W3C patterns and require no change to the base data model—making them portable, verifiable, and standards-compliant.

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Features Supported in ACA-Py

Feature	Supported in ACA-Py
Issue JSON-LD credentials	✅ Yes
Present and verify JSON-LD credentials	✅ Yes
Support for multiple proof types	✅ Yes (Ed25519Signature2018, Ed25519Signature2020, etc.)
Use of external or on-chain contexts	✅ Yes
Support for DID-Linked Resources	⚠️ Via extensions and custom fields

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Supported DID Methods

ACA-Py supports signing JSON-LD credentials using DIDs such as:

• did:key

• did:web

• did:peer

• did:cheqd (via plugin)

• Custom methods via the Universal Registrar

✅ For cheqd DIDs, ACA-Py allows full DID resolution and key binding required for signing JSON-LD credentials, assuming a supported verification method (e.g. Ed25519VerificationKey2020).