Digital Trust
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Emergence of organisational wallets

Trust and interoperability issues have hampered business interactions across Europe. Announced in 2025, the European Business Wallet (EBW) initiative targets these inefficiencies with a unified, cross-border digital identity solution for organisations.

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Organisational wallets are digital web-based wallets that provide secure digital identification, streamline data sharing, and facilitate legally valid notifications for companies and other legal entities. Unlike personal wallets, organisational wallets support multi-user access and role-based permissions (such as power of attorney).

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One-click recognition of organisational identity, status, and attributes can prevent fraud (like fake websites or phishing) and compliance costs, as well as accelerate cross-border collaboration. Organisational wallets must address the complexities of legal entity identity, such as credential lifecycle management, international standards, and integration with business registers.

Maturity

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Show the other PLAN trends
Changing dynamics in Responsible AI From large to small language models AR and smart glasses become more prominent Increasing AI-enhanced user experience Growing big tech competition for the XR stack Increased application of FAIR principles to enable digital ecosystems in Europe Growing relevance of TRUST principles for data repositories to secure data More decentralisation of data ownership enabled by SSI solutions Emergence of organisational wallets Push for transparent supply chains with digital product passports Bringing computing resources closer to the ‘edge’ Growing need for automated cloud and edge resource management Growing emphasis on neuromorphic (brain-inspired) computing Integrating photonics for accelerated information processing The battle for airwaves AI/Ops, digital twinning and the emergence of the LLM in network operations Power usage and ecological footprint From ad hoc experiments to applications Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) Cyber-physical technology calls for resilient minds A growing urge for chip sovereignty in Europe

Drivers

Impact

education

Education

  • Educators and students should benefit from a significant reduction in administrative delays with international exchanges/mobility programs such as Erasmus+, and cross-border teaching or study opportunities.
  • Secure, verified institutional credentials enable quick and trusted confirmation of enrolment, qualifications, and affiliations for internships, further studies, or collaborations.
  • Reduced exposure to phishing and fraudulent communications enhances trust and digital safety in academic correspondence and protects personal and institutional information.
Research

Research

  • Reduced risk of impersonation or fraudulent collaboration requests safeguards intellectual property and project research credibility.
  • Verified institutional identities should accelerate the establishment of cross-border collaborations, joint funding applications, and consortium agreements.
Operations

Operations

  • Instant verification of institutional identity will enable faster execution of information exchange in European public-private partnerships and research collaborations, reducing administrative workload.
  • Role-based digital access and trusted official communications strengthen security by reducing phishing risks, ensuring legal validity, and it also lowers compliance costs through secure, verified information exchange.
  • Integration with internal systems streamlines credential checks and approvals, improving efficiency and optimising processes, although initial investment in staff training and technological infrastructure will be required.
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