Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a digital proof that verifies an artwork is genuine and created by the artist, ensuring its authenticity and value. It takes the form of a tag or QR label attached to the artwork, which when scanned allows the artwork and its ownership to be verified.

Artist onboarding

The following is the curated onboarding process for an artist.

👤Artist registration

Get to know artist, understand needs / expectations / FAQ
Gather basic info, name, bio etc

  • create "studio" account (aka treasury) - used later to mint COA

  • #xproof socials / webpage -> connect to existing profiles

  • create customer account (helps artist experience customer side)

📁 Portfolio setup

How to organise work eg collections, theme, medium

  • create "collections" / set limited edition sizes

  • (optional) custom key controls

🏵️ Mint COA

Each Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is "minted" as a unique token on the Hedera public network

  • ☁️ mint blank COA into your "studio" account

  • 🖨️ print QR codes or write NFC tags

  • 🏵️ attach QR/tags to artwork

  • ☁️ update blank COA to reflect actual artwork

  • ☁️ freeze COA ➜ transfer to gallery account

🏷️ Sale & ownership management

Pricing and transfer of certificates

  • ☁️ create "smart" pricing tickets - enables split payment, collaboration, commission, sponsorship, royalties etc

  • ☁️ create PayPal links

  • 🖨️ print smart ticket QR labels

  • 🏷️ attach smart tickets to artwork

FAQ

What if someone copies the tag and puts it onto a fake artwork?Scanning the tag should lead you to a trusted website (eg coa.gomint.me) that itself links to multiple other trusted sources (eg hashscan.io lworks.io dragonglass.me) Check that these sources agree on the owner account number, and then ask the owner to prove they control that account (eg check on xproof.live or use a KPOP challenge)What if the genuine certificate owner is holding a fake artwork, eg because it got swapped by a thief?Then the holder of the genuine artwork is NOT holding the certificate. This would make resale of the genuine artwork difficult, as they would not be able to prove its ownership (like trying to sell a car without registration papers) There is an incentive to keep both the certificate and the artwork held by the same owner.Are there any tags that cannot be cloned?Yes - you can tag an artwork with a special chip called an NTAG424 - this cannot be cloned. It is more complex to set up and requires a 3rd party to act as independent verifier. It may be useful if you wish to avoid having to contact the owner to prove possession of the certificate (but if you're in the presence of the physical artwork, you're likely to be in contact with the owner or their agent)