We’re living through a perfect storm of digital deception, with AI-generated fraud, synthetic identities, and deepfake attacks creating unprecedented business risks. Meanwhile, traditional identity verification methods often burden users with time-consuming processes and impose significant operational costs on businesses.

The problem with traditional eSigning

Many current eSigning solutions rely on outdated identity verification methods. A simple email verification or SMS code might have sufficed in 2015, but today’s threat landscape demands something far more robust. When AI-powered scams can create convincing synthetic identities at scale, how can we trust that the person signing a million-dollar contract is who they claim to be?

Enter Verified Credentials: The next generation

The solution lies in Verified Credentials (VCs) – cryptographically secure digital documents that prove identity, qualifications, or attributes. Think of a mobile driver’s licence (mDL) as a prime example. These aren’t just digital copies of physical documents; they’re purpose-built for the digital world with built-in security features that make fraud virtually impossible.

Here’s how it works: when you sign a document using verified credentials, you’re not just proving you have access to an email account. You’re proving your identity through government-issued, cryptographically-verified credentials that can’t be faked, cloned, or manipulated.

Real-world impact

Imagine a property transaction where both parties can instantly verify their identities using their passports or digital driver’s licence. Imagine a business contract where each signatory’s professional credentials are automatically verified. This is happening now in jurisdictions where digital identity infrastructure has matured.

The beauty of VCs lies in their flexibility. Low-risk documents might require basic verification, while high-value transactions can demand multiple layers of credential verification. This “step-up” approach ensures security scales with risk.

What this means for New Zealand

As we build Aotearoa’s digital trust infrastructure, verified eSigning represents a crucial piece of the puzzle. It’s not just about preventing fraud – it’s about enabling digital-first business processes that would be impossible with traditional verification methods.

For businesses, this means faster transactions, reduced compliance costs, and the confidence that comes from cryptographic-level security. For individuals, it means control over their digital identity and seamless interactions across different services.

The path forward

At Lumin, we’re working to make verified eSigning accessible to New Zealand businesses, starting with integration of digital credentials like mDLs. But this is bigger than any single company – it requires ecosystem-wide collaboration between government, industry, and technology providers.

The future of digital trust isn’t just about better security; it’s about reimagining how we interact, transact, and build relationships in an increasingly digital world. Verified credentials and next-generation eSigning are the foundation of that future.