Blockchain-Based Verifiable Credentials for Virtual Teams Management in the Metaverse

In recent years, classic working patterns have changed due to the pandemic situation and the need of new generations of workers for a better work-life balance. Among the changes is the spread of remote working, for example through video conference meetings for team work. However, video conference meetings offer only a partially immersive experience.This paper investigates on a particular approach to remote team work that makes use of the combination of blockchain, metaverse and Verifiable Credentials (VC), focusing attention on the attribution of access credentials to virtual work spaces.Metaverse virtual systems can be more interesting, gratifying, and immersive than video conferences for participating in and managing virtual teams. Blockchain-based metaverse systems, such as Decentraland, identify a user by his blockchain address, which can store NFTs or other types of virtual property. Verifiable Credentials allow for role attribution in virtual team formation, with the team organizer acting as the issuer and the virtual room acting as the verifier. The proposed approach involves the use of smart contracts for registering and confirming verifiable credentials, directly from the Decentraland virtual room. The Decentraland virtual room can prevent or allow a user to access a work area based on their VC. Under the proposed approach, the costs of creating the VCs are charged to the issuer, but all verification processes are free.