Verifiable AI Hackathon Build: aeonix ID

A Unified, Verifiable Identity Layer for Reputation and Achievement in the aeonix Ecosystem

Build Overview

aeonix ID introduces a user-centric digital identity layer built on cheqd’s decentralized identity stack, serving as the foundational layer for reputation, rewards, and access across the broader aeonix platform. It enables users to create a digital identity — a Decentralized Identifier (DID) — that unifies their ecosystem interactions under a privacy-preserving framework.

By anchoring participation, progression, and asset ownership to verifiable credentials (VCs), aeonix ID empowers users to build a pseudonymous but trusted presence. From training AI models to earning collectibles, each action is cryptographically linked to a persistent identity that respects data privacy and composability.

Features & Functionality

Platform-Wide Persistent Identity (DID-Based):

At onboarding, users generate a cheqd-compatible DID, which becomes their unique identifier across aeonix’s ecosystem. This DID is not tied to any single wallet or account but can reference multiple associated keys and identities, fostering flexibility.

Reputation through Verifiable Achievements (VCs):

aeonix ID issues Verifiable Credentials when users complete specific platform achievements — for example:

• Completing onboarding tutorials

• Participating in social campaigns

• Contributing to AI model training

• Owning early collectibles like aeon relics

These credentials are structured using cheqd’s VC schema, signed by a recognized issuer (aeonix system), and are cryptographically verifiable by third parties without exposing the underlying raw data.

Digital Assets as Proofs of Progress (NFTs + DLRs):

The lays the foundation for aeon relics, a genesis NFT collection, tied to specific credential-based achievements. These NFTs leverage DID-Linked Resources (DLRs) to attach public metadata and credential references securely and transparently to the user’s DID.

Privacy-First Verification & Selective Disclosure:

The VC design allows users to prove facts — such as being eligible for gated events or access to model governance — without disclosing sensitive or granular data. This satisfies GDPR and other international data protection frameworks.

Ecosystem Interoperability:

The aeonix ID acts as a bridge across multiple services, unifying credentials, activity records, and rewards under a single pseudonymous entity. This identity will enable cross-application recognition of contributions, access rights, and incentive eligibility.

Technical Architecture & cheqd Integration

cheqd Mainnet Deployment:

The full DID and VC stack is live on cheqd mainnet, ensuring real-world usage of decentralized identity principles. The implementation includes:

• Creation and resolution of W3C-compatible DIDs

• Issuance and verification of VCs based on platform-defined achievement templates

• Hosting and reference of public metadata using DID-Linked Resources (DLRs)

Credential Composition:

• Each credential contains structured claims (e.g., “Completed onboarding,” “Purchased 500 credits”) tied to:

  • Issuer DID (aeonix)

  • Subject DID (user)

  • Signature proof for verification

  • Optional status information for revocation (via cheqd's credential status registry, to be implemented in future updates)

Managed Key Infrastructure (with Migration Path to SSI):

To reduce friction during early adoption, aeonix ID currently uses a managed key solution. Keys are generated and stored securely by the platform backend, abstracting cryptographic complexity from users. Future iterations will allow export to self-custody wallets, aligning fully with SSI principles.

Use Case Highlight: AI Participation and Gamified Progression

aeonix ID is not just a DID wallet or VC issuer — it’s an identity-native reputation system built to support verifiable participation in AI workflows. Users who contribute to data collection, curation, or model fine-tuning receive credentials proving their contributions. These credentials can later be used for:

• Governance rights in model evolution

• Airdrop eligibility

• Access to special tools or NFTs

This gamified, identity-first model enables both trust and engagement while keeping user data decentralized and under their control.

Users earn Verified Credential achievements through platform usage with progress, issuance, and verification in real-time.

Why cheqd?

The cheqd stack was chosen specifically for its:

• Modular SSI Architecture: DIDs and VCs are implemented following industry standards (W3C), ensuring long-term interoperability.

• DID-Linked Resources: Enables tamper-proof anchoring of metadata or credential schemas to user identities.

• Status Lists & Registries: Provides extensibility for future credential revocation or trust list implementations.

• Credential Payments (Future): Offers an incentive-compatible model for monetizable credential issuance, which can enable future rewards systems.

  
  

Challenges & Design Decisions

• User-Friendly Onboarding vs Pure SSI:

  A major challenge was balancing usability with decentralized key ownership. While full SSI wallets offer purist architecture, the UX burden (e.g., seed phrase management) would impede user acquisition. The interim managed-key solution offers a path to growth with a clearly defined upgrade to self-custody.

  
  

• Credential Complexity & Trust Models:

  Building flexible yet verifiable credential schemas required defining a standard for achievements, issuer signing, and user presentation. Trust registry integration is planned to increase third-party validation capabilities.

  
  

Future Roadmap

• Self-custody Wallet Export

• Integration of Trust Registries for Issuer Governance

• Credential Monetization via cheqd’s Payment Models

• Cross-platform DID interoperability for broader Web3 use

  
  

Summary

aeonix ID offers a novel implementation of verifiable, pseudonymous identity for gamified participation in decentralized AI ecosystems. By integrating core components of cheqd’s stack — DIDs, VCs, and DLRs — the build delivers real value through selective disclosure, privacy protection, and ecosystem-level composability. It's a forward-thinking step toward trusted AI engagement, backed by decentralized identity principles.

About aeonix

About cheqd