Enabling scalable operating and business models in the EU Digital Identity ecosystem

Success for the European Digital Identity framework will hinge on sustainable scale and broad adoption. Beyond regulatory alignment and technical interoperability, the long-term success of the initiative depends on the availability of viable operating and business models for the services that will surround and enable it.

In this context, this GSMA document examines the related challenges facing both public and private stakeholders, considering the need to balance security, privacy, scalability, user experience and cost efficiency. It underscores the importance of clearly defined roles, incentives and collaboration models to ensure that issuers, wallet providers, verifiers and other service providers can invest and operate sustainably within the ecosystem.

By identifying key functional and economic questions, this paper aims to inform policymakers, public agencies and industry participants, and to support the development of practical, scalable deployment models across Europe.