Stamp an Object

The vBase Stamper records a file’s timestamp, author, and digital fingerprint (SHA3 hash) on a public blockchain. This metadata—known as provenance—provides permanent, verifiable proof of a file’s authenticity and timestamp.

How to Make a Stamp

For a quick overview, 🎥 Watch the How-to Video

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Visit the vBase App

2. Sign in or register for a free account

3. Go to the Stamper page: app.vbase.com/stamp

4. Click “Browse for File” and select your file

5. (Optional) Check the box if the file belongs to a Collection

6. (Optional) Select or create the relevant Collection

7. Click “Make a Stamp”

What Happens When You Stamp a File

When you click “Make a Stamp”, the following process occurs:

• Your file’s SHA3 hash (also called the content ID) is calculated locally in your browser

• This hash is published to a public blockchain, where it’s permanently recorded

• A timestamp is returned, reflecting when the blockchain included your content ID

• This becomes an independently verifiable record of your file’s existence and integrity

The following data is recorded to the blockchain:

• Blockchain Address: Your vBase account’s public blockchain address

• Content ID: The file’s SHA3 hash, serving as its unique digital fingerprint

• Collection ID (if applicable): The identifier of the Collection the file belongs to

Example of a vBase Stamp

• Blockchain Address: 0x0bf1504fB66c716161A8bc60906eC38792eA2000

• Content ID: 0x49adefb456c981ec67ab09b2b301b22a434922456169244e1f3b7e51d9fe54ee

• Collection ID: 0x9c22ff5f21f0b81b113e63f7db6da94fedef11b2119b4088b89664fb9a3cb658

• Timestamp: 2023-08-08 21:34:00+00:00

Note: vBase does not publish or share your actual file, filename, or personal information on-chain. Only cryptographic identifiers are recorded to preserve privacy and ensure long-term verifiability.

What Is a Collection?

A Collection groups related files—such as portfolios, observations, documents, data points, or project files—under a single identifier. When a file is stamped with a Collection, the blockchain record reflects that relationship, and this relationship itself becomes verifiable.

Why Use Collections?

• 📦 Dataset Integrity: Prove a file was part of a specific group (e.g. a portfolio belongs to a particular strategy, or an observation belongs to a particular experiment)

• ✅ Collection Verification: Validate the completeness of a Collection. Using Collection stamping, you can assure a verifier that they're seeing all the data associated with a particular Collection, and no extra or missing data.

• 🧩 Better Organization: Track provenance across a project, experiment, strategy, or dataset

📌 Tip: Collections are optional. Files not in a collection are still independently verifiable.

File Backups and Data Integrity

By default, vBase saves a secure backup of your file to help prevent data loss. You can enable or disable this setting in your Account Settings under your profile.

Important: If backups are disabled, be sure to store your file safely. If the file is lost or changed, its provenance can no longer be verified.

Quick FAQs

Can a Stamp Be Revoked?

No. Blockchain stamps are permanent and immutable. You can stamp a new version of a file, but existing stamps cannot be changed or deleted.

How Do I Verify a Stamped File Later?

You’ll need the original file and access to the blockchain record. Follow the guide here: How to Verify a Stamped File

Additional Notes

• Your file’s content ID (aka hash) is calculated locally in your browser. If backup is disabled, your file is never uploaded or seen by vBase

• 🔗 View a sample stamp on Polygonscan

• Stamps are stored on the Polygon blockchain and can be independently verified using tools like Dune Analytics or by querying Polygon nodes directly

• 🔒 SHA3 is a widely trusted cryptographic standard used in banking, telecom, and secure systems