Digital identity meets blockchain: How LEI numbers and Chainlink create trust together

30 June 2025

In the rapidly evolving world of digital assets, verifiable corporate identities are becoming increasingly important. A new partnership between the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) and Chainlink impressively demonstrates how the combination of LEI, blockchain technology and automation of regulatory processes lays the foundation for a secure digital financial system.

What is an LEI, and why is it so crucial for digital assets?

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a globally valid, unique identifier for legal entities involved in financial transactions. It is used to identify companies and uniquely create transparency in global markets. LEI registration is a crucial step towards compliance with regulatory requirements, especially in the environment of digital assets and decentralised financial systems (DeFi).

With an LEI number, companies can prove their identity in digital transactions, automate compliance and strengthen the trust of business partners and authorities alike.

vLEI + Chainlink = Automated Compliance

In the latest GLEIF podcast, CEO Alexandre Kech and Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, discuss the introduction of the verifiable LEI (vLEI). This is a digital, cryptographically secured version of the classic LEI number that can be used directly on the blockchain.

Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and the Automated Compliance Engine enable the use of the LEI across different blockchain networks. This innovation enables organisations to establish a global presence and automatically comply with regulatory requirements uniquely.

LEI registration is the key to the future of digital financial markets

LEI registration plays a central role in this context: only through a standardised and verifiable assignment of LEI numbers can digital identities be reliably transferred to the blockchain. This not only opens up new possibilities for transparent transactions, but also for automated business processes and smart contracts.

Especially in the context of MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets) and KYC/AML regulations, LEIs offer significant added value – both for regulatory authorities and for companies seeking to establish a digital presence.

Conclusion: LEI brings trust to a digital future

The partnership between GLEIF and Chainlink marks a crucial step toward a standardised, trustworthy, and interoperable digital identity framework. With the LEI as a central building block, an ecosystem is being created in which regulatory compliance, technological efficiency and global networking interact harmoniously.

LEI numbers are becoming more than just identifiers – they are the backbone of a new era of digital transparency and automation.