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The Decentralized Verida Acacia Testnet is Live

Verida Team
Verida
Published in
10 min readJan 24, 2023

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A new season for Verida, and the internet, is here.

After a successful six months active in private to partners and early adopters, we’re proud to announce version 2 of the Verida network and the Acacia Testnet.

In the early stages of the network it was much faster to create a centralized identity server to allow us having a working network sooner rather than later. This server has now been replaced with a new Verida DID method built on top of the Polygon blockchain and Verida data storage network.

We are entering the next phase of the network where we can move to provide a 100% decentralized network. Decentralizing identities is a critical step in that pathway. Over the remainder of 2023, we’ll progressively open up the network to the public as we increase decentralization and seek valuable feedback ahead of our mainnet launch.

We’re thrilled to have you part of this journey as we continue to decentralize personal data and give ownership back to individuals… to control, be compensated for, and enjoy personalized online experiences that make the world a more equitable place.

1. What is the Verida Network?
2. What are the key changes?
3. What do I need to do?
4. How can I start building the future of Web3 with Verida?
 5. What’s included in this testnet launch
6. Testnet Limitations
7. Protocol Audit
8. Network Launch Schedule
9. Why build Web3 with Verida?
10. The self-sovereign data era is here
Join our community

1. What is the Verida Network?

The Verida Network comprises the underlying protocol, technology and documentation developed by Verida. Developers can leverage the Verida SDKs to use and contribute to the code to improve the network. Service providers can deliver infrastructure to the network by running nodes that users can select to use.

The Verida Network aims to:

  • Decentralize the sharing and discoverability of data
  • Empower end users with control of personal data
  • Deliver a more equitable distribution of value to participants on the network
  • Create and share verified data in a trusted, private, secure, and decentralized manner.

Read our Whitepaper to learn how the Verida Network reflects our mission for achieving self-sovereignty of personal data and how the infrastructure works.

2. What are the key changes?

A number of key changes to the Verida network have been deployed to improve speed, lower cost and decentralize the network. In summary:

We initially implemented a fork of ethr-did-registry, however it became apparent that the performance, cost and lack of full DID document support was a sub-part solution for the objectives of the Verida Network.

Instead, we have designed a faster, cheaper and more flexible DID method via our Verida Improvement Proposals; VIP-2 (Verida DID Method) and VIP-3 (DID Document storage on the Verida network). We will look to have these officially included in the W3C implementations list in due course.

The Verida DbStore has been upgraded to provide enhanced user control and agency over their data:

  1. Users can delete any part of their data; from a specific row, a database or their complete identity
  2. Users can control the servers that store their data (how many and which servers). A user interface for this will be made available in the Vault soon to make it accessible to everyone.

The Verida SDK’s have been upgraded to support the creation of blockchain based decentralized identities. There are three new packages:

  1. vda-did (Creating and updating DIDs)
  2. vda-did-resolver (Light package for read only resolution of DIDs)
  3. vda-web3-client (A web3 wrapper that supports native blockchain transactions or routing transactions through a meta-transaction relay server)

3. What do I need to do?

Developers will be required to update to the latest SDK. There are breaking changes as the protocol will now be looking up identities and data storage infrastructure from the blockchain.

End users will be required to update to the latest Verida Vault. This allows users to create new identities that are decentralized.

4. How can I start building the future of Web3 with Verida?

We’re looking for innovators across Web3 (and friends in Web2) who want to provide users with greater ownership over their data and identity. If you’re an application developer or infrastructure operator, we’d love to hear from you.

Storage Node Operators

Soon, we’ll be opening up the Verida network to providers who have experience running network infrastructure who would like to run a Storage Node on the Verida Network. These node operators will be joining nodes operated by Verida and early partners.

To be eligible, you’ll need experience with crypto networks and the wider industry. This opportunity is particularly suited to organizations and individuals already operating blockchain nodes or data storage infrastructure across multiple regions.

Apply as a Storage Node Operator

Application Developers

We’re actively supporting developers building self-sovereign, high performance, scalable, and secure decentralized applications by integrating Verida using our SDKs.

There are many emerging decentralized use cases that require more than just blockchain to see the light of day. We’re here to help those new projects come to life across social, insurance, healthcare, identity, and much more.

Browse developer documentation or Tell us about your project

5. What’s included in this testnet launch?

We have a number of updates going live across the Verida network, Verida Vault and SDKs as part of the Acacia decentralized testnet launch.

Verida Identity

Verida Identity is a multi-chain decentralized identity and services framework. Decentralized Identities are a W3C standard and core to user identities with the Verida Network. Every account on the Verida network is a decentralized identity (DID). The user’s public keys are leveraged to find and communicate with them.

Users control their private keys, enabling them to:

  • Encrypt and access their private data
  • Control where their data is stored
  • Sign their data and messages to third parties
  • Pay for third party data storage
  • Sign into decentralized applications
  • Control the other services used by their identity (messaging, notifications etc.)

Learn more: Accounts and Identity Concepts

A Verida account connecting to multiple application contexts

Verida Connect

Verida Connect is a QR code based multi-chain single sign-on framework to unlock off-chain data and crypto. It provides a smooth experience to onboard new users to decentralized applications on a range of supported blockchains.

Users who are signed in are provided with a private encrypted collection of databases for the application, secure messaging, and the ability to perform blockchain transactions.

The Verida Vault additionally supports the Wallet Connect v1 and v2 standards to enable developers to use familiar APIs for blockchain interactions.

Watch this: Developer Tutorial: Verida Single Sign On

Learn more:

Verida Message

Verida Message is a decentralized multi-chain messaging infrastructure.

The Verida Protocol facilitates decentralized messaging between Verida accounts. Users are able to communicate with other individuals and applications via real-time, encrypted, peer-to-peer messaging.

For example:

  • One-to-one private messaging between DIDs and applications
  • Broadcast messages (from Applications to registered user DIDs)
  • Between datastores, no on-chain footprint, signing a off-chain consent message using your private key of your blockchain wallet.

Messages sent via the Verida Network in the Verida Vault

Learn more:

Verida Consent

Verida Consent is a user-centric consent-based framework for identity, access management, and data sharing. The Verida protocol offers a great deal of flexibility and control around data access and encryption to enable consensual information sharing.

Capabilities include:

  • Sending private individual data records to a user
  • Requesting individual private data records from a user
  • Sharing access to large quantities of structured private data (Data synchronization).

The configuration for this data synchronization is pliable. An application can request access to:

  • A read and/or write stream of all data of a particular type
  • A once-off data synchronization
  • A permanent sync (until the user disables)
  • A filtered stream of data based on a query.

Learn more:

Verida DbStore

The Verida protocol provides secure, decentralized database storage for user data. Verida DbStore is the open source Storage Node server that provides encrypted database storage for one or more Verida accounts. No user data or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is stored on-chain.

This solution is designed for storing structured private user data. It incorporates access controls with flexible encryption and permissioned data synchronization. It’s region aware and designed to meet GDPR requirements.

Verida accounts control where their personal encrypted data is stored. Applications can provide a default storage hosting option or users can specify their own.

The product capabilities are beneficial for builders and users. For example:

  1. End users can access secure, region aware private storage for Web3
  2. Application developers can provide their own default storage nodes for their users
  3. Users can have increased privacy and control by hosting storage nodes for their own personal data
  4. Enterprise companies can provide highly secure, private storage for all their employees

Read more:

Developer SDKs and APIs

The Verida protocol is open source and provides toolkits to accelerate developer onboarding. The developer’s toolkit includes:

  • Client SDK, an open source implementation of a Verida network client providing encrypted storage, identity, messaging, and schemas capabilities. It’s an easy-to-use library that abstracts the complexities behind these capabilities, thereby allowing developers to build self-sovereign applications.
  • Verida Connect SDK, a decentralized single sign on client library and server API that enables seamless QR code authentication via the Verida Vault mobile application
  • Verifiable Credentials Developer SDK containing all the necessary capabilities to issue, verify and share Verifiable Credentials on the Verida Network
  • Verida Javascript Library
  • Vue Components which can be customized to suit the application styles and themes for easy app development
  • Demo applications to help developers learn about the Verida protocol and network capabilities.

Developers can try out the Verida APIs directly in their browser using the Verida interactive tutorial, with no download necessary. This tutorial takes a developer through all the capabilities of the Verida Network and empowers them to build decentralized DApps using Verida.

Start building today: Developer Portal

6. Testnet Limitations

With the public launch of the decentralized Acacia Testnet, it’s important for users and developers to keep in mind current constraints.

  • If you had a previously had a Verida identity (DID) you will need to create a new one for this release.
  • The Acacia testnet should only be used for prototyping, development, and testing purposes. It’s great for getting your application ready for mainnet.
  • Data stored and accounts created on Acacia will not be transferable to mainnet. These are separate networks, similar to Ethereum’s testnets and mainnet.
  • The Acacia testnet will continue to exist as a test network once the Verida mainnet launches later this year. We’ll keep you updated on important dates.
  • You may encounter a few bugs and/or performance issues. We’ve done our best to make things work as smoothly as possible, but please remember, this is still a testnet.
  • Please report any issues by opening a ticket on Github or let us know in Discord, so we can fix them as soon as possible.

7. Protocol Audit

In preparation for the testnet launch, a comprehensive security audit on the protocol and Verida Vault mobile app was completed by Chainsulting. The audit included automated vulnerability testing, manual security testing, and a review of the Verida architecture. No critical issues were found, and the team have addressed or acknowledged all other issues identified. A full report of the findings can be found here.

8. Network Launch Schedule

Below, you’ll see our projected timeline for the Verida Network launch. Dates are subject to change, so please connect with us in Discord to discuss any questions.

  • First Security Audit — completed
  • Public Testnet Acacia Launch — January 2023 (now)
  • Public Mainnet Myrtle Launch — Q2 2023

9. Why build Web3 with Verida?

Web3 is the disruption of the ownership era. An internet where everyday people win, not just platforms. A privacy-preserving internet for the people, governed by the people.

To realize this, Web3 needs decentralized data and identity. Verida makes this possible.

With Verida, builders get:

  • Real database with indexes, queries and structured data
  • Data storage that’s private and regulatory compliant
  • Incredibly FAST with Web2 performance
  • High security with authorization + encryption by design
  • Easy Sign-On, QR code based SSO for crypto wallet + data connectivity
  • Multi-chain decentralized messaging and data bridging
  • Rewards, tokens for developers and end users
  • Decentralized identity standards.

10. The self-sovereign data era is here

This is a new identity model that aims to fix the wrongs of Web2. The world is ready for it. Now, with the Verida Testnet open to developers and users, we’re one step closer to having it all… ownership, privacy, security, and convenience.

To continue the discussion about our Testnet launch, please join our community on Discord. To stay up to date with the latest releases and news, follow us on Twitter, our blog, and gm.xyz.

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Verida Team
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Written by Verida Team

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