> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cdpi.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cdpi.dev/technical-notes/data-and-credentialing-infra/verifiable-credentials/decision-framework-for-verifiable-credentials.md).

# Decision Framework for Verifiable Credentials

When governments come to us with questions about Verifiable Credentials, they rarely start with technology. They start with a problem — a border crossing that needs to work offline, an agricultural export certificate that takes weeks to verify, a health credential that must protect patient privacy across jurisdictions.

This framework answers the questions our operations team hears most often from countries implementing digital public infrastructure:

* **Which standard fits my use case?**
* **Which open-source DPG platform do you recommend?**
* **How do these systems interoperate across countries?**

We mapped 12 real-world use cases — from national ID and education to agriculture traceability, and tourism against the six dominant VC standards and four Digital Public Good platforms: 

**INJI**, **CREDEBL**, **walt.id**, and **QuarkID**.

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### Resources

#### 🗂️ Standards by Use Case

An interactive reference covering all 13 use cases. Each card shows the recommended standards, the reasoning behind them, and the key technical and regulatory requirements — with indicators for privacy, interoperability, adoption maturity, and offline capability.

[View Standards by Use Case](https://vc-use-cases.cdpi.dev/)

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#### 📊 VC Stack Comparison

A detailed technical comparison of INJI, CREDEBL, walt.id, and QuarkID across standards support, credential formats, revocation, offline verification, DID methods, and interoperability.

[View VC Stack Comparison](/technical-notes/data-and-credentialing-infra/verifiable-credentials/decision-framework-for-verifiable-credentials/comparative-analysis-of-verifiable-credential-stacks.md) 

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#### 📄 Decision Cheatsheet

A single-page printable reference. Includes the full DPG × Use Case matrix, the six standards at a glance, critical interoperability gaps, and a quick-guide for platform selection.

[View Cheatsheet](https://vc-use-cases.cdpi.dev/vc-cheatsheet.html)