Comparison
Attested vs. unattested agent
An attested agent carries its provider's confirmation (did:web) that it originates from and is operated by that provider. An unattested agent — a self-built one, for example — works technically the same, but verifiers can reject it by policy (MD-502).
| Dimension | Attested agent | Unattested agent |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of origin | Provider signature (did:web) | None |
| Acceptance | Broad — meets attestation policies | Depends on the counterparty's policy |
| Typical use | Commercial agent platforms | In-house builds, experiments |
| Mandate labelling | No note | Label «unattested agent» at issuance |
Verdict
Attestation is not a requirement but a market signal: it lowers the rejection rate on the verifier side. For production agents with external effect it is effectively mandatory; for experiments the unattested route stays open.