In June 2025, Cybernews researchers revealed a massive leak of over 16 billion login credentials, accumulated from years of infostealer malware. Unlike past breaches, many of these credentials remain active, affecting platforms like Google, Apple, and GitHub. The data was easily accessible on exposed servers, highlighting vulnerabilities in traditional identity systems. With 2.1 billion credentials stolen in 2024 alone, the risks of credential stuffing and identity theft are significant. Current defenses, such as two-factor authentication and password managers, are insufficient. Experts advocate for blockchain-based identity solutions that eliminate passwords, shifting from reactive to proactive security measures. This self-sovereign identity (SSI) model empowers users by decentralizing digital identity management. Initiatives like the EU's eIDAS 2.0 and pilot programs in Germany and South Korea are paving the way for blockchain identity systems. However, challenges remain, including the need for interoperability, user-friendly onboarding, legal clarity, and real-world testing. The future of authentication may lie beyond passwords, but achieving this vision requires collaboration among developers, regulators, and platforms. Read more AI-generated news on: https://app.chaingpt.org/news