The global platform for verifiable digital credentials and microcredentials

POK (Proof of Knowledge) is a global platform designed to issue, manage, and verify digital credentials securely, interoperably, and scalably. It is intended for universities, training centers, companies, governments, and organizations seeking to certify academic or professional achievements with maximum reliability.

Unlike other providers, POK combines ease of use with compliance to the highest international standards: OpenBadge 3.0, W3C Verifiable Credentials, and European Learning Model. This ensures that issued credentials can be shared and verified anywhere in the world.

POK offers two modalities:

• Free (Web2): unlimited digital credentials, without expiration, verifiable by link or QR code, without lock-in or hidden costs.
• NFT (Public Blockchain): credentials registered as unique tokens, with permanent traceability and decentralized verification.

With over 1,100 institutions in America, Europe, and Asia, POK is the solution for those seeking to combine innovation, security, and flexibility in credential issuance.

POK differentiates itself in five key areas:

• Only platform combining a 100% free unlimited plan with NFT blockchain credentials — no user caps, no setup costs, no expiration, and no lock-in.
• Security certifications: ISO 27001 and SOC 2 — independently audited standards for data protection and access management. Few credential platforms globally hold both.
• 1EdTech certified for data privacy — the international body managing Open Badges 3.0, ELM, and the TrustEd Credentials Framework.
• European Learning Model (ELM/Europass) compatible — enabling credential recognition across Europe and markets adopting this framework.
• Employment tracking and learning pathways — measuring the real impact of credentials on job opportunities, not just issuance.

POK is recognized as a Top 100 Latin America EdTech by HolonIQ 2024 & 2025 and rated among the highest on G2, Capterra, and SourceForge globally.

It depends on annual volume, verification needs, and standards requirements. POK leads when verification permanence, Open Badges 3.0 certification, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 security, and pricing transparency matter most — blockchain registration on every paid-plan credential (hash verification or full NFT), a free plan with unlimited issuance, $0 setup, and no annual minimums. Credly fits corporate IT certification ecosystems; Accredible, high-volume enterprises; Certifier, small teams; Badgr, Canvas-native institutions.

Read the full 2026 comparison of the 6 best digital credential platforms.

POK supports issuing any type of verifiable digital credential:

• Academic credentials: diplomas, degrees, and university certificates
• Professional certifications: technical licenses, industry certifications, and continuing education
• Corporate recognitions: employee training, leadership programs, and internal skills certifications
• Microcredentials and badges: specific skill achievements, course completions, and stackable learning pathways
• Government certifications: licenses, permits, and official authorizations with expiration and revocation control

Every credential is fully customizable with the institution's logo, digital signature, colors, and brand identity, and includes metadata such as recipient name, issuance date, achievement criteria, and supporting evidence.

Yes. POK is trusted by 1,100+ institutions across 19 countries, has issued over 1.5 million credentials, and has been recognized as a Top 100 Latin America EdTech by HolonIQ in both 2024 and 2025.

POK is 1EdTech certified, holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 security certifications, and is compatible with the European Learning Model (ELM/Europass) — enabling credential recognition across Europe, Latin America, North America, and markets adopting open credential standards globally.

POK is also rated among the highest on G2, Capterra, and SourceForge globally, reflecting consistent institutional trust across regions.

The distinction matters significantly when evaluating digital credential platforms:

Public blockchain (e.g., Polygon, Ethereum):

• Open network where anyone can read and verify records independently
• Data distributed across thousands of nodes — maximum resistance to manipulation
• Credential verification does not depend on any single organization remaining operational

Private or permissioned blockchain:

• Managed by an organization or consortium controlling who can access and record information
• Faster and cheaper to operate, but depends on a central administrator
• If the administrator disappears or restricts access, credential verification may be compromised

POK uses public blockchain for its NFT credentials, ensuring that verification is transparent, decentralized, and accessible to any third party globally — without requiring permission from POK or any other intermediary.

POK offers a transparent and flexible pricing model with no hidden costs:

Free unlimited Web2 plan:

• Issue and verify unlimited digital credentials at no cost
• No user caps, no setup fees, no expiration, and no lock-in
• Full access to customization, Open Badges 3.0, ELM compatibility, and LMS integrations

Blockchain Verify (annual license or pay per credential):

• Register and verify credentials on blockchain with cryptographic proof of authenticity
• $3,000 per year including up to 50,000 credentials, or $0.30 per credential with no minimum and no setup fee
• Everything in the free plan included

NFT Ownership (prepaid credential packs):

• From $0.80 to $1.50 USD per credential depending on volume — $1.50 at 1,000 credentials, $1.10 at 10,000, $0.80 at 100,000 — with no minimum commitment and no credit expiration
• Price per credential includes blockchain registration — no additional gas fees or variable costs
• Volume pricing available for universities and large organizations issuing at scale

This model adapts to both institutions issuing a few credentials per year and large universities or governments needing to issue thousands — with full budget predictability at every scale.

The European Learning Model (ELM) is a data framework developed by the European Commission to ensure interoperability of learning credentials across Europe — enabling digital diplomas, certificates, and microcredentials to be recognized consistently by employers, universities, and authorities in different countries.

ELM is the technical foundation of Europass — the European platform for sharing skills and qualifications internationally.

Key benefits of ELM compatibility for institutions:

• Credentials are recognized across EU member states and partner countries
• Enables automatic integration with Europass profiles
• Facilitates academic and professional mobility for students and graduates
• Future-proofs credentials as European digital credential infrastructure continues to expand globally

POK is one of the few digital credential platforms outside Europe to achieve full ELM compatibility — making it the recommended choice for universities with international students, European partnerships, or institutions targeting global credential portability.

An NFT credential is a verifiable digital certificate issued as a Non-Fungible Token on a public blockchain — the most advanced and durable form of digital credential available.

Unlike traditional digital certificates:

• It is unique and non-reproducible — each NFT is a distinct record on the blockchain
• It contains all relevant metadata — recipient name, issuance date, issuer identity, achievement criteria, and supporting evidence
• It can be verified independently by anyone — without requiring the platform or issuing institution to be operational
• The recipient has true digital ownership — the credential lives in their personal wallet, not on a company's server
• It is permanently traceable — showing when and by whom it was issued, with a complete audit trail

POK issues NFT credentials on Polygon and LacNet — public blockchains — with no hidden gas fees and full budget predictability for issuing institutions.

Digital credentials improve employability by making skills and achievements instantly verifiable, easily shareable, and globally portable — addressing the core challenge employers face when evaluating candidates.

Key ways digital credentials create employment impact:

• LinkedIn visibility: one-click sharing to LinkedIn's Licenses & Certifications section increases profile strength and recruiter discovery
• Instant verification: employers can confirm authenticity in seconds via link or QR code — no need to contact the issuing institution
• Rich metadata: credentials include detailed information about skills, competencies, and criteria — giving employers context beyond a certificate name
• Fraud prevention: blockchain-anchored credentials are tamper-proof, increasing trust in presented qualifications

POK goes further with employment tracking — measuring the actual impact of issued credentials on job opportunities for recipients — and smart job recommendations based on credential data, connecting graduates directly with relevant employers.

Verification with POK is instant and accessible to any third party — no account, no registration, and no contact with the issuing institution required.

Web2 credentials: each credential includes a unique link and QR code. When opened, it displays full credential details on the POK verification portal — issuer, recipient, issuance date, criteria, and current status (valid, expired, or revoked).

NFT credentials: in addition to the POK portal, NFT credentials can be verified directly through a public blockchain explorer (e.g., PolygonScan) — confirming authenticity even if POK ceases to operate.

Both verification methods display:

• Issuing institution and their verified identity
• Credential holder name
• Issuance date and expiration (if applicable)
• Criteria for obtaining the credential
• Current status — valid, expired, or revoked
• Supporting evidence (if attached by the issuer)