From eIDAS to eIDAS 2.0
The original eIDAS regulation laid the groundwork for cross-border electronic trust services. eIDAS 2.0 builds on this foundation by mandating that every EU member state offer its citizens a Digital Identity Wallet by 2026. This wallet will allow people to store and present verified identity attributes — from age verification to professional qualifications — all in a single app on their phone.
How wallets interact with trust services
Qualified Trust Service Providers will play a central role in the wallet ecosystem. Timestamping, electronic seals, and electronic signatures issued by QTSPs will be verifiable credentials that wallet holders can present to relying parties. This creates a seamless chain of trust from identity verification through document certification.
Impact on timestamping providers
Timestamping authorities that are already eIDAS-qualified will be native participants in the wallet ecosystem. Their timestamps will serve as verifiable proofs that documents existed at a certain point in time, directly linkable to wallet-based identities. Providers that are not yet qualified face an urgent deadline to achieve QTSP status.
What businesses should prepare
Organisations should start integrating wallet-compatible verification flows now. This means ensuring their timestamping and sealing APIs can accept and validate wallet-presented credentials. Early movers will gain a competitive advantage in sectors like banking, insurance, and government contracting.