diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md index db2710a9..d983d23e 100644 --- a/docs/README.md +++ b/docs/README.md @@ -1,10 +1,10 @@ # Trustchain -Trustchain is a decentralised approach to public key infrastructure, with applications in digital identities. In particular, it builds on the W3C standards for [decentralised identifiers (DID)](https://www.w3.org/TR/did-core/) and [verififiable credentials (VC)](https://www.w3.org/TR/did-core/). +Trustchain is a decentralised approach to public key infrastructure, which builds on the W3C standards for [decentralised identifiers (DID)](https://www.w3.org/TR/did-core/) and [verififiable credentials (VC)](https://www.w3.org/TR/did-core/). -These two standards are already closely linked: Verifying a VC involves performing the verification method specified in the DID document using verification material contained in the same DID document. For example, the verification material may be a public key, in which case the verification method is to use the key to verify a digital signature contained in the VC. +These two standards are closely linked: verifying a VC involves resolving the credential issuer's DID document and performing verification using material contained in that document. For example, the verification material may be a public key, in which case the verification method is to use the key to verify the issuer's digital signature on the credential. -Trustchain enables the creation of DIDs which are themselves verifiable. Via this mechanism, chains of trustworthy DIDs can be constructed in which **downstream DIDs** (dDIDs) contain an attestation from an entity represented by an **upstream DID** (uDID). +Trustchain enables the creation of DIDs which are themselves verifiable. Via this mechanism, chains of trustworthy DIDs can be constructed in which **downstream DIDs** (dDIDs) contain an attestation from an entity represented by an **upstream DID** (uDID). It also enables a root DID to be securely established, so that downstream DIDs can be verified by tracing their chain of attestions back to the recognised root.