About CertVera

Documents deserve permanent proof of existence

CertVera anchors document fingerprints to the Bitcoin blockchain, creating immutable, independently verifiable timestamps that outlast any company, server, or certificate authority. Two ways in: a managed dashboard for everyone, and an L402 API for developers and AI agents.

Our Mission

Proof of existence should be a public good, not a subscription service.

Traditional timestamping relies on certificate authorities, notaries, or proprietary platforms. If the company disappears, your proof disappears with it. CertVera takes a different approach: we anchor your document's cryptographic hash directly into a Bitcoin transaction, creating proof that is permanent, public, and verifiable by anyone.

We offer two paths to certification. If you prefer a visual interface, sign in with Google, LinkedIn, or Apple and use our dashboard to upload files, track blockchain confirmations, and manage your certified documents. If you're a developer or AI agent, use our L402 API to timestamp hashes programmatically - pay per request with Lightning, no accounts required.

Either way, the result is the same: a Bitcoin transaction containing your document's SHA-256 hash, permanently recorded on the most secure ledger ever created.

Two Ways to Certify

Choose the path that fits your workflow

Dashboard

A managed experience for individuals and teams. Sign in with OAuth, upload your files, and we handle hashing, blockchain submission, virus scanning, and status tracking.

  • Upload any file up to 25MB
  • Automatic virus scanning
  • Email confirmation on blockchain anchoring
  • Encrypted cloud storage with signed downloads
Create a free account

L402 API

A permissionless API for developers and AI agents. Hash your document locally, submit via REST, pay the Lightning invoice. No accounts, no API keys, no sessions.

  • Simple REST + L402 protocol
  • Pay-per-use with Lightning
  • Compatible with Lightning Wallet MCP servers
  • Free verification endpoint
Read the API docs

How It Works

From document to permanent Bitcoin proof in four steps.

Document Hashing

A SHA-256 hash is generated from your file. This is a unique cryptographic fingerprint - it's impossible to reverse-engineer the original document from the hash. With the dashboard, we hash it server-side. With the API, you hash locally.

Payment

Dashboard users pay via their stored payment method. API users receive a Lightning invoice and pay from any compatible wallet. Typical cost: 25,000-35,000 sats, depending on network fees.

Blockchain Anchoring

CertVera creates a Bitcoin transaction with your hash embedded in an OP_RETURN output. This is broadcast to the network and typically confirms within 10-60 minutes.

Permanent Verification

Once confirmed, your timestamp is immutable. Anyone can verify the hash against the Bitcoin blockchain for free, forever - no account needed, no dependency on CertVera.

The Technology

Built on proven, battle-tested protocols

Blockchain Bitcoin

The most secure, decentralized, and battle-tested blockchain in existence.

Hash Algorithm SHA-256

Industry-standard cryptographic hash. Same algorithm securing Bitcoin itself.

Anchoring OP_RETURN

Standard Bitcoin script opcode for embedding arbitrary data in transactions.

API Protocol L402

HTTP 402-based protocol enabling permissionless, pay-per-use API access via Lightning.

What We Stand For

The principles behind every design decision

Privacy First

API users' documents never touch our servers. Dashboard uploads are virus-scanned and encrypted. We only store what's needed.

Open Verification

Verification is free, public, and independent of CertVera. Your proof exists on Bitcoin, not on our servers.

Trustless Design

The API requires no accounts, tokens, or trust. Payment is authentication. The blockchain is the authority.

Agent Native

Built for the agentic web. Any AI agent with a Lightning wallet can timestamp documents autonomously via L402.

Permanent

Bitcoin transactions are immutable. Your timestamp survives regardless of what happens to CertVera as a company.

Transparent Pricing

Dynamic pricing tied to real Bitcoin network fees. You see the exact cost in the Lightning invoice before you pay.

Ready to certify your first document?

Whether you prefer a visual dashboard or a developer API, your documents get the same Bitcoin-grade proof of existence.