What is the signature protocol (SIGN)?
The protocol is based on the idea of schemes, which form templates for how to organize and verify data.
Before creating any certificate, you must follow a registered scheme to ensure that all parties understand and agree to the format of the information.
These certificates can be stored entirely on the blockchain for maximum security, or partially off it to reduce costs while maintaining verifiability.
This model supports a wide range of use cases, from verifying identities and reputations to enabling decentralized governance systems and maintaining transparent records.
One of the key features of the Sign protocol is its ability to operate across different blockchains.
Whether on Ethereum, Solana, Ton, or other networks, users and developers can create and interact with certificates seamlessly.
This cross-chain support enables the Sign protocol to function as a bridge between different blockchain systems, providing a unified way to manage verifiable information.
By establishing a common standard for certificates, the Sign protocol aims to make trust systems based on blockchain more accessible, scalable, and reliable in the broader decentralized economy.
How banners work
The signature protocol works by providing a clear structure for creating, verifying, and managing certificates across multiple blockchain systems:
1. Creating a schema
Before issuing any certificate, a schema must be defined. The schema acts as a guideline that specifies the type of information to be included in the certificate.
It defines data fields, their formats, and relationships, ensuring that each certificate built upon it is easy to understand and verify.
Developers can create their own schemas or use publicly available schemas, depending on their project or application needs.
2. Issuing a certificate
After preparing the schema, users can create a certificate - a signed proof that confirms the validity of a specific piece of information.
This certificate includes the actual data and a digital signature, ensuring its validity.
Small certificates can be fully stored on-chain for maximum security, while larger certificates can be stored off-chain (on Arweave or IPFS) with an encrypted link that returns them to the blockchain. This flexibility helps achieve a balance between security, cost, and ease of access.
3. Data storage
The signature protocol supports two main storage options:
● On-chain storage: Best for small and sensitive data that must remain permanently available on the blockchain.
● Off-chain storage: Suitable for large files or less sensitive data, where essential information is stored in decentralized networks like Arweave or IPFS, while only necessary proofs are kept on-chain. In both cases, the data remains verifiable through blockchain records, ensuring it is tamper-proof.
4. Reading and querying certificates
Retrieving certificates is facilitated through several methods:
● Direct reading of smart contracts: Access certificates directly from the blockchain.
● Access to decentralized storage: Pull essential data from Arweave or IPFS.
● SignScan Service: A dedicated explorer and API that indexes certificates, allowing users and developers to search for, filter, and retrieve data more efficiently.
5. Cross-chain compatibility
The signature protocol is designed to operate across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Ton, and others.
This feature enables seamless transitions between chains, ensuring the reliability of information for users even when interacting across different platforms. It also helps reduce fragmentation and build a more interconnected decentralized world.
What is token economics (SIGN)?
SIGN is the native digital currency that powers the Sign protocol ecosystem.
It serves as a foundational token for all Sign applications and infrastructure, supporting actions like creating certificates, accessing decentralized storage, and participating in ecosystem services.
In addition to its core function, SIGN plays an economic and governance role, allowing community members to earn rewards, store tokens, spend them within the network, and contribute to shaping the future of the protocol by holding and participating in it.