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Knowledge mapMust a DID depend on a blockchain?Industry concepts and standards

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Must a DID depend on a blockchain?

Identifiers and verifiable registries can combine without being synonyms.

  1. DIDInterpreted by
  2. Method rulesSelected by method
  3. Registry mechanism
Relationship sketch · arrows show responsibilities and connections, not a complete protocol sequence.

DID Core does not require every DID method to use a blockchain. Methods define operations such as creation, resolution and updates; their registry mechanisms can differ.

ArcBlock’s chain documentation uses DIDs for accounts and assets. This demonstrates a connection, not a rule that every DID must be on-chain or that an identifier alone proves chain state.

Separate the identifier, resolution evidence, control proof and any state actually recorded by a chain.

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