What Is Timestamp Authority (TSA)?
Traditional trusted timestamp providers in the RFC 3161 standard and how blockchain evolves this concept.
Identity verification is essential for connecting timestamps to real people. Timestamp Authority (TSA) is part of how TimeProof ensures that timestamps are attributable to verified individuals.
Why Timestamp Authority (TSA) Matters
In the context of digital evidence and file protection, timestamp authority (tsa) plays a critical role. Here is why you should understand it:
For Creators and Professionals
When you need to prove that a file existed at a specific time, the underlying technology must be trustworthy. Timestamp Authority (TSA) is part of what makes TimeProof timestamps independently verifiable — anyone can check the proof without trusting any single company or authority.
For Legal and Compliance Teams
Evidence must be reliable, understandable, and verifiable. Understanding timestamp authority (tsa) helps legal professionals explain to courts and regulators how blockchain-based evidence works and why it should be trusted.
For Developers and Technical Teams
If you are integrating timestamping into your application or workflow, understanding timestamp authority (tsa) helps you make informed architectural decisions and explain the technology to stakeholders.
How TimeProof Uses Timestamp Authority (TSA)
TimeProof integrates timestamp authority (tsa) into its identity attestation system. This ensures that timestamps can be attributed to verified individuals, and that third parties can independently verify the identity connection.
How Blockchain Timestamping Works
When you timestamp a file with TimeProof, TimeProof uses client-side file hashing (SHA-256). That 64-character value is the unique fingerprint for the exact version you selected, and if even one byte changes, the hash changes too. Your file never leaves your device.
TimeProof proves file existence by anchoring file hashes to the Polygon blockchain. The blockchain records the hash, timestamp, and transaction ID permanently, so anyone can verify the record independently on Polygonscan.
This is where timestamp authority (tsa) stops being theory and becomes a usable proof workflow.
Practical Example
Consider a photographer who timestamps their portfolio images. The timestamp authority (tsa) connects the timestamp to the photographer’s verified identity, so anyone verifying the proof knows not just when the image was timestamped, but who timestamped it.
Key Takeaway
Timestamp Authority (TSA) is not something you need to understand to use TimeProof — the platform handles all technical details automatically. But understanding it builds confidence in the technology and helps you explain it to others when your proof is challenged.
Learn More
TimeProof packages this live workflow into one unified credit system, so you can apply the concept above to real files without needing crypto expertise.
- Scheduled timestamps: 1 credit per file - available to everyone, with proof available within 6 hours.
- Instant timestamps: 2 credits per file - available to verified subscribers, anchored in about 2 seconds.
- Legal-Grade: Starter and Pro: 50 credits up to 25 files, then +2/file. Business: 25 credits up to 25 files, then +1/file. Enterprise: included.
One-time packs start at $15 for 100 credits. Verified monthly plans start at $19/month and include identity verification for instant timestamps and Legal-Grade.
Scheduled timestamps handle routine proof, verified instant timestamps handle immediate needs, and Legal-Grade adds the formal evidence package when the matter is higher stakes.
Start creating tamper-proof proof for your files today.