IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/elmark/v35y2025i1d10.1007_s12525-025-00772-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Self-sovereign identity and digital wallets

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Babel

    (Branch Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT)

  • Lukas Willburger

    (Branch Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT)

  • Jonathan Lautenschlager

    (Branch Business & Information Systems Engineering of the Fraunhofer FIT)

  • Fabiane Völter

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Tobias Guggenberger

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Marc-Fabian Körner

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Johannes Sedlmeir

    (University of Luxembourg)

  • Jens Strüker

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Nils Urbach

    (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

Current approaches to managing digital identities struggle to meet the demands of ongoing digital transformation. They either create fragmented identities tied to specific online services, making it difficult for users to manage, or they raise concerns about being locked into corporate identity providers and data protection issues. Additionally, they provide limited support for machine-verifiable identity attributes. This reliance on third parties for managing machine identities can put companies at a market disadvantage. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a unified identity management solution that allows for the portable and interoperable use of verifiable identity data across services. The recently announced European Digital Identity Wallet marks a significant step forward in digital identity management. This initiative aims to provide EU citizens with a unified, secure, and convenient way to access both public and private online services, thereby enhancing the efficiency and security of digital interactions and prioritizing user needs. Self-sovereign identity (SSI) forms the basis for such a wallet-based identity ecosystem that supports electronic market growth. However, as a relatively new concept, SSI still lacks a unified theoretical analysis and a thorough exploration of its value propositions for digital ecosystems and networked businesses.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Babel & Lukas Willburger & Jonathan Lautenschlager & Fabiane Völter & Tobias Guggenberger & Marc-Fabian Körner & Johannes Sedlmeir & Jens Strüker & Nils Urbach, 2025. "Self-sovereign identity and digital wallets," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:35:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12525-025-00772-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12525-025-00772-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12525-025-00772-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12525-025-00772-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Franz, Anjuli & Benlian, Alexander, 2022. "Exploring interdependent privacy – Empirical insights into users' protection of others' privacy on online platforms," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 152754, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    2. repec:dar:wpaper:133552 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Johannes Sedlmeir & Reilly Smethurst & Alexander Rieger & Gilbert Fridgen, 2021. "Digital Identities and Verifiable Credentials," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 63(5), pages 603-613, October.
    4. Alexander Rieger & Tamara Roth & Johannes Sedlmeir & Linda Weigl & Gilbert Fridgen, 2022. "Not yet another digital identity," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 3-3, January.
    5. Simon Feulner & Johannes Sedlmeir & Vincent Schlatt & Nils Urbach, 2022. "Exploring the use of self-sovereign identity for event ticketing systems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(3), pages 1759-1777, September.
    6. Anjuli Franz & Alexander Benlian, 2022. "Exploring interdependent privacy – Empirical insights into users’ protection of others’ privacy on online platforms," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 2293-2309, December.
    7. Henner Gimpel & Dominikus Kleindienst & Daniela Waldmann, 2018. "The disclosure of private data: measuring the privacy paradox in digital services," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 28(4), pages 475-490, November.
    8. Körner, Marc-Fabian & Sedlmeir, Johannes & Weibelzahl, Martin & Fridgen, Gilbert & Heine, Moreen & Neumann, Christoph, 2022. "Systemic risks in electricity systems: A perspective on the potential of digital technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    9. Luisanna Cocco & Roberto Tonelli & Michele Marchesi, 2021. "Blockchain and Self Sovereign Identity to Support Quality in the Food Supply Chain," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, November.
    10. Konrad Degen & Timm Teubner, 2024. "Wallet wars or digital public infrastructure? Orchestrating a digital identity data ecosystem from a government perspective," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-25, December.
    11. Fariba Ghaffari & Komal Gilani & Emmanuel Bertin & Noel Crespi, 2022. "Identity and access management using distributed ledger technology: A survey," International Journal of Network Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Roth, Tamara & Utz, Manuel & Baumgarte, Felix & Rieger, Alexander & Sedlmeir, Johannes & Strüker, Jens, 2022. "Electricity powered by blockchain: A review with a European perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    2. Paula Heeß & Jakob Rockstuhl & Marc-Fabian Körner & Jens Strüker, 2024. "Enhancing trust in global supply chains: Conceptualizing Digital Product Passports for a low-carbon hydrogen market," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Xu, Ru-Yu & Wang, Ke-Liang & Miao, Zhuang, 2024. "The impact of digital technology innovation on green total-factor energy efficiency in China: Does economic development matter?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    4. Eduard Hartwich & Alexander Rieger & Johannes Sedlmeir & Dominik Jurek & Gilbert Fridgen, 2023. "Machine economies," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Jana Glöckler & Johannes Sedlmeir & Muriel Frank & Gilbert Fridgen, 2024. "A Systematic Review of Identity and Access Management Requirements in Enterprises and Potential Contributions of Self-Sovereign Identity," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 66(4), pages 421-440, August.
    6. Andreas Engelmann & Gerhard Schwabe, 2024. "Certified data chats for future used car markets," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Alexandra Hoess & Jonathan Lautenschlager & Johannes Sedlmeir & Gilbert Fridgen & Vincent Schlatt & Nils Urbach, 2025. "Toward Seamless Mobility-as-a-Service," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 67(2), pages 149-170, April.
    8. Renata Benigna Gonçalves & Júlio César Bastos Figueiredo, 2022. "Effects of perceived risks and benefits in the formation of the consumption privacy paradox: a study of the use of wearables in people practicing physical activities," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(3), pages 1485-1499, September.
    9. Brusch, Ines & Rappel, Nina, 2020. "Exploring the acceptance of instant shopping – An empirical analysis of the determinants of user intention," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    10. Johannes Sedlmeir & Jonathan Lautenschlager & Gilbert Fridgen & Nils Urbach, 2022. "The transparency challenge of blockchain in organizations," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(3), pages 1779-1794, September.
    11. Rakesh Gupta & Reema Khurana & Anu Prashaant, 2024. "Open banking on the horizon: a scientometric analysis and research agenda," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 577-604, March.
    12. Vincent Schlatt & Johannes Sedlmeir & Simon Feulner & Nils Urbach, 2021. "Designing a Framework for Digital KYC Processes Built on Blockchain-Based Self-Sovereign Identity," Papers 2112.01237, arXiv.org.
    13. Matthias Trier & Dennis Kundisch & Daniel Beverungen & Oliver Müller & Guido Schryen & Milad Mirbabaie & Simon Trang, 2023. "Digital Responsibility," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 65(4), pages 463-474, August.
    14. Amjad Aldweesh, 2023. "BlockTicket: A framework for electronic tickets based on smart contract," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, April.
    15. Konrad Degen & Alexander Gleiss, 2025. "Time to break up? The case for tailor-made digital platform regulation based on platform-governance standard types," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-23, December.
    16. Simon Feulner & Johannes Sedlmeir & Vincent Schlatt & Nils Urbach, 2022. "Exploring the use of self-sovereign identity for event ticketing systems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(3), pages 1759-1777, September.
    17. Lin, Boqiang & Huang, Chenchen, 2023. "How will promoting the digital economy affect electricity intensity?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    18. Daum Kim & Jiro Kokuryo, 2024. "Establishing altruistic ethics to use technology for Social Welfare—How Japan manages Web3 and self-sovereign identity in local communities," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-12, December.
    19. Valerie Graf-Drasch & Maximilian Röglinger & Annette Wenninger & Sabiölla Hosseini, 2022. "A Contextualized Acceptance Model for Proactive Smart Services," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 345-387, September.
    20. Luisanna Cocco & Roberto Tonelli & Michele Marchesi, 2022. "A System Proposal for Information Management in Building Sector Based on BIM, SSI, IoT and Blockchain," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    DID; eIDAS; Identity ecosystem; Privacy; User centricity; Verifiable credential; Zero-knowledge proof;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:35:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12525-025-00772-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.