Service Overview

Eternity Bits is a Bitcoin-native timestamping service that creates permanent, cryptographic proof-of-existence for any digital document. Unlike traditional cloud storage, we never store your actual files—only cryptographic hashes that prove your document existed at a specific point in time.

How It Works

1. Client-Side Hashing

When you upload a document to Eternity Bits:

• SHA-256 computation happens entirely in your browser
• Your original file never leaves your device
• Only the 64-character hash is transmitted to our servers
• This ensures complete privacy and security

2. Payment Processing

Once your document is hashed:

• A Stripe PaymentIntent is created with the hash as metadata
• Payment is processed securely through Stripe’s infrastructure
• The hash, filename, file size, and timestamp are stored as payment metadata
• No sensitive file content is ever stored

3. Bitcoin Anchoring

After successful payment:

• The document hash is queued for Bitcoin blockchain anchoring
• This creates an immutable timestamp proving your document’s existence
• The proof becomes permanently accessible through the Bitcoin network
• Multiple hashes are typically batched together in a single Bitcoin transaction for efficiency

Core Architecture

Frontend Components

• DocumentSigner.tsx: Main React component handling file upload, hashing, and payment
• File Processing: Client-side SHA-256 computation using Web Crypto API
• Payment Integration: Stripe Elements for secure payment processing

Backend Services

• Payment API (/api/pay): Creates Stripe PaymentIntents with document metadata
• Webhook Handler (/webhooks/stripe): Processes successful payments and queues timestamping
• Configuration: Product definitions and pricing in centralized config

Data Flow

1. User selects document → SHA-256 hash computed in browser
2. Hash sent to payment API → Stripe PaymentIntent created
3. User completes payment → Webhook receives success notification
4. Hash queued for Bitcoin timestamping → Permanent proof created

Security Model

Privacy by Design

• No file storage: Original documents never leave your device
• Hash-only processing: Only cryptographic fingerprints are handled
• Metadata privacy: Filenames and sizes are encrypted in payment metadata

Cryptographic Guarantees

• SHA-256 integrity: Any file modification changes the hash completely
• Bitcoin immutability: Once anchored, proofs cannot be altered or deleted
• Timestamp accuracy: Bitcoin block timestamps provide chronological proof

Trust Minimization

• Open verification: Anyone can verify proofs using Bitcoin blockchain data
• No single point of failure: Proofs survive even if Eternity Bits ceases operation
• Cryptographic certainty: Mathematical proof eliminates need for trust

Use Cases

Legal and Compliance

• Intellectual property protection: Prove creation date of designs, writings, code
• Contract timestamping: Establish when agreements were drafted
• Evidence preservation: Create tamper-proof records for litigation

Personal and Professional

• Digital inheritance: Timestamp important documents for estate planning
• Research documentation: Prove priority for scientific discoveries
• Whistleblower protection: Create verifiable evidence with plausible deniability

Business Applications

• Audit trails: Immutable records for compliance and governance
• Version control: Timestamp software releases and updates
• Supply chain: Track document authenticity in complex processes

Benefits Over Traditional Solutions

Compared to Cloud Storage

• Permanent: Cannot be deleted or taken offline
• Private: No access to actual file contents
• Censorship-resistant: Proofs exist on decentralized network

Compared to Traditional Timestamping

• Cryptographically verifiable: No need to trust timestamp authorities
• Globally accessible: Proofs available to anyone with Bitcoin node access
• Cost-effective: Single payment for permanent proof

Compared to Other Blockchains

• Maximum security: Bitcoin’s unmatched network effect and hash rate
• Long-term reliability: 15+ year track record of continuous operation
• Universal acceptance: Bitcoin is globally recognized and regulated

This architecture ensures that your documents receive the strongest possible proof-of-existence while maintaining complete privacy and security throughout the process.