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This paper presents research exploring the balancing of interactive friction and value proposition in the context of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technology adoption. This work extends a related investigation of a full agency engagement with a User-Centred Data Ecosystem utilising what is described as a Sovereign Boundary Mechanism (SBM). An SBM is a standardised collection of SSI interactions, which can collectively be described as a metaphorical ring of sovereignty between the participant and the wider network. Within this model participants control identity, relationships, credentials, data streams, and access control. This related work concludes that the developing trend poses significant interactive friction, and that clear and substantive value proposition would be required to drive and sustain participant adoption. This paper explores potential value propositions for SSI, considering theory relating to Privacy, Surveillance Capitalism, and Human Data Interaction; in parallel opinions are drawn from the thematic analysis of interviews with experts in the decentralised field and results from a public survey. This research concludes that the value proposition is unlikely to come from the direct perceived protection of privacy. Also, that the decentralised technologies cannot be marketed solely on the fact that it is decentralised. Instead, value will emerge from the capability of SSI functionality to supersede the centralised model, offering innovation and reduced transactional friction across individual, business and wider society. This research suggests that the SSI community needs to develop a cohesive design strategy, a clear narrative and vocabulary. Value needs to be defined across cultural context, while targeting accessible, high value niche opportunities to build momentum toward sustainable adoption.

The mechanisms and evolving standards collectively known as self-sovereign identity (SSI) offer the prospect of a decentralized Internet by providing a central pillar for a human-centered data ecosystem (HCDE). Once established this technology promises to afford participants the same agency in the digital realm as individuals experience in the real world. Investigation suggests that the domain is now sufficiently mature to realize practically the principles of SSI, but in order to achieve sustainable adoption, significant design focused work needs to be undertaken at the interface layer. This paper presents recent practice-led research designed to project current SSI prototypes to scale through conceptual modeling, preliminary user interface, and critical analysis. This research introduces the term sovereign boundary mechanism (SBM), a standardized collection of SSI interactions, which can be described as a metaphorical ring of sovereignty between the participant and the wider network. Within this model, participants control identity, relationships, and data streams and access control. This research identifies the domains of interaction and the minimum required objects for a full-scale SSI engagement through an SBM. It defines the component parts and functionality of a wider HCDE which require further consideration, and it identifies emergent concepts for which a participant may lack mental model and understanding. The research considers human computer interaction (HCI) theory across internalized, external, and distributed cognition, arguing that the current trajectory of SSI requires significant internalized representations, prior knowledge, and participant responsibility. This research argues that these elements are problematic and pose a significant barrier to sustainable adoption. In conclusion, this research suggests that the decentralized community needs to recognize the obstacle potentially posed at the interface layer and engage in collective standardization, strategy, and design thinking to increase the probability of sustainable adoption.