It is literally TLS in a trench coat with some json sprinkled on top.

Where I think we are not in agreement the question of "who to trust" and "for what purposes".

Are you going to trust me when I tell you that I'm over 18 if I provide you with the document signed by my cousin, Honest Ahmed?

Are you going to trust me when I show you the document signed by my government?

(this is the trick question, you don't have a choice, law says you must; there's a list of who you need to trust and for what purposes; like a certificate root store in your browser)