What are Authorities?
Definition
An Authority is any verified entity — such as a protocol, organization, DAO, or enterprise — that issues attestations under one or more schemas. Authorities are the backbone of the trust layer, bringing domain-specific verification, credibility, and issuance power to the network.Responsibilities
- Review or collect data for attestations
- Sign attestations with their authority key
- Uphold schema rules and expected quality standards
- Maintain verifiable records (on-chain or off-chain)
Common Authority Types
- KYC/AML service providers
- DAO governance systems
- Certification and accreditation bodies
- Developer collectives (e.g., DevDAO)
- Oracles and data providers
Becoming an Authority
Step-by-Step Onboarding
- Apply to Join — Fill out the Authority Onboarding Form
- Undergo Review — Reputation, credibility, and purpose are evaluated
- KYB Verification — Complete Know-Your-Business checks (if applicable)
- Smart Contract Setup — Receive authority keypair and/or integration hooks
- Schema Whitelisting — Get access to relevant schemas (or register new ones)
Test Authority Sandbox
Use our testnet environments to prototype authority flows before going live. Related: Schema Standards | Custom SchemasAuthority Requirements
Minimum Criteria
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Reputation | Must have a provable track record (social, business, or technical) |
| Security | Must securely manage private keys and use multisig or HSM solutions |
| Transparency | Must disclose verification process for each schema issued |
| Compliance | Follow all local regulations when issuing attestations (e.g. KYC) |
| Support | Ability to handle user inquiries, revocation, and dispute resolution |
Key Management
All attestations must be cryptographically signed by the authority’s private key and verifiable on-chain. Related: Trust Management | Revocation ManagementIssuing Attestations
Basic Flow
- User provides required data (e.g., KYC documents, wallet address)
- Authority validates information according to schema rules
- Authority signs attestation using SDK or API
- Attestation is published on-chain or stored off-chain with verifiable proof
SDK Integration
Webhook Options
- Real-time issuance and revocation
- Sync attestations across chains
- Custom response handlers for enterprise workflows
Revenue Model
How Authorities Earn
Authorities can charge for each attestation issued — either directly (on-chain fees) or via their own billing systems. Example Revenue Models:- Per-Attestation Fee: 2.00/attestation
- Subscription Plans: Monthly flat rate with issuance limits
- Pay-per-Success: Users pay only if verified
Sustainable Economics
- Incentivizes high-quality, trusted issuance
- Encourages participation from traditional businesses
- Enables open-market competition on trust pricing
Trust Management
Building and Maintaining Trust
All authorities are assigned a Trust Score based on their issuance volume, dispute resolution track record, and user feedback. Trust Signals:- Verified Authority Badge (automatically issued post-KYB)
- Community Ratings (1–5 stars)
- Schema Usage Statistics
- Public Profile in the Authority Directory
Revocation and Disputes
Authorities must:- Honor schema rules on revocation (e.g., expiry)
- Provide audit logs for challenged attestations
- Support transparency audits or bounty reviews
Join the Authority Network
Want to establish your reputation and issue verifiable proof under your brand?Authority Types
Individual Authorities
Personal wallets that issue attestations for specific purposes:- Peer endorsements and recommendations
- Personal verifications and vouching
- Individual skill assessments
- Community member attestations
Organizational Authorities
Registered entities providing professional attestation services:- KYC/AML verification providers
- Educational institutions
- Professional certification bodies
- Credit rating agencies
- Background check services
DAO Authorities
Decentralized organizations issuing collective attestations:- Membership verification
- Contribution tracking
- Governance participation
- Community reputation
Automated Authorities
Smart contracts and oracles issuing programmatic attestations:- On-chain activity verification
- Cross-chain bridge attestations
- DeFi protocol interactions
- Gaming achievement systems
Becoming an Authority
Registration Process
Authority Profile Management
Authorities can enhance their profiles and build trust through comprehensive metadata:Verification Levels
Authorities can achieve different trust levels:| Level | Requirements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Registered wallet address | Can issue attestations |
| Verified | Identity verification completed | Enhanced trust score |
| Professional | Business verification + insurance | Premium features access |
| Institutional | Regulatory compliance demonstrated | Highest trust rating |
Authority Management
Key Security
Protecting authority credentials is critical:Multi-Signature Setup
For high-security authorities:Delegation
Authorities can delegate attestation capabilities:Trust and Reputation
Trust Scoring
Authorities build reputation through their attestation history:- Attestation Volume: Number of attestations issued
- Revocation Rate: Percentage of attestations revoked
- Dispute Resolution: How conflicts are handled
- User Feedback: Community ratings and reviews
- Verification Level: Authority verification status
Reputation Metrics
Building Trust
Strategies for authorities to build reputation:- Start Small: Begin with low-risk attestations
- Be Transparent: Publish verification methodology
- Maintain Quality: Low revocation and dispute rates
- Specialize: Focus on specific attestation types
- Get Verified: Complete higher verification levels
Authority Operations
Issuing Attestations
Standard attestation issuance flow:Batch Operations
Issue multiple attestations efficiently:Revocation Management
Authorities can revoke attestations they issued:Authority Models
Centralized Authority
Single entity controls attestation issuance:- Government ID verification
- Professional licensing
- Educational credentials
Federated Authorities
Multiple authorities share attestation responsibilities:- Multi-jurisdictional compliance
- Cross-institutional verification
- Consortium-based credentialing
Hierarchical Authorities
Authorities delegate to sub-authorities:- Global organizations
- Franchise operations
- Tiered verification systems
Decentralized Authority Networks
Peer-to-peer authority relationships:- Web of trust models
- Community verification
- Reputation networks
Economic Models
Fee Structures
Authorities can monetize their services:Staking Models
Authorities stake tokens to ensure quality:Revenue Sharing
Distribute fees across participants:Compliance and Standards
Regulatory Compliance
Authorities must consider:- Data Protection: GDPR, CCPA compliance
- KYC/AML Requirements: Financial regulations
- Industry Standards: ISO, SOC certifications
- Jurisdictional Rules: Local law compliance
Best Practices
Liability Management
- Terms of Service: Clear attestation terms
- Insurance: Professional liability coverage
- Disclaimers: Appropriate legal disclaimers
- Dispute Process: Clear resolution procedures
Integration Examples
Enterprise KYC Authority Integration
DAO Governance Authority System
Monitoring and Analytics
Authority Dashboard Metrics
Track key performance indicators:Performance Monitoring
Governance and Community
Connect with other authorities and shape the future of AttestProtocol: Join Governance DiscussionsNext Steps
Authority Setup Guide
Detailed instructions for becoming an authority
Schema Registry
Browse schemas you can issue attestations for
Trust Building
Strategies to grow your authority reputation
Compliance Guide
Understand regulatory requirements