Welcome to Aqua Protocol
Account & verify data in seconds using cryptographic proof
Aqua Protocol is an open, private, and decentralized solution for data accountability and governance. Built with modern cryptographic standards, Aqua enables you to verify data integrity and provenance without relying on centralized authorities.
Powered by Cryptography, Not Blockchain
Aqua Protocol is made possible by crypto as in cryptography! While it can use Ethereum for timestamping, the protocol itself neither is nor requires blockchain technology. It's a privacy-preserving, open-source protocol built on modern cryptographic methods.
Account & Verify Data in Seconds
What is Aqua Protocol?
The Aqua Protocol is a foundational framework for building distributed trust networks. By leveraging hash-chains, cryptographic signatures, and optional blockchain timestamping, Aqua enables scalable, trustless verification of data integrity and provenance. It empowers developers and innovators to create applications that certify, attest, and secure data in an open and decentralized way.
Core Idea
Building trust through cryptographic proof and verifiable data structures.
Trust can be built by relying on hashing and encryption mechanisms or by delegating to a mutually trusted party. Aqua Protocol handles both scenarios, giving you flexibility in how you establish and verify trust.
How It Works
At its core, Aqua creates portable hash-chains called AquaTrees that record a gapless history of data revisions. These trees can be timestamped on Ethereum for immutability, exchanged across services, and verified automatically. Whether securing documents, systems, or identities, Aqua liberates the certification process from institutional gatekeepers, making trust accessible through open cryptographic standards.
Key Features
- Tamper-Proof Records: Cryptographic hashes ensure any modification is immediately detectable
- Multi-Party Signatures: Collect signatures from multiple parties for authentication and non-repudiation
- Blockchain Timestamping: Optional anchoring to Ethereum, Nostr, or TSA for provable timestamps
- Portable Verification: AquaTrees can be exchanged, stored, and verified anywhere
- Privacy-Preserving: Only hashes are stored on-chain, keeping your data private
Try Aquafier
Want to see Aqua Protocol in action? Try Aquafier, our reference implementation that lets you upload, verify, and notarize any file:
Aquafier (Production)
Try the live demo - upload and notarize files instantly
Aquafier (Testing)
Experiment in the development environment
Getting Started
Quick Start Guide
Get up and running with Aqua Protocol in minutes
Understand the Schema
Learn about the components that make up the protocol
Explore Examples
Browse curated examples in different programming languages
Developer Tools
Get started with our SDK, CLI, and development tools
Use Cases
Discover real-world applications and implementation patterns
View the Code
Dive into the source code and contribute
The Vision of Aqua
Aqua Protocol is still evolving, and we're discovering the full scope of its potential. Here's what Aqua represents:
An Open Framework
Enabling private, decentralized solutions for general data notarization and verification
A Verifiable Data Structure
Linking and certifying data with cryptographic precision through AquaTrees
A Protocol for Provenance
Ensuring clear attribution and integrity of data origins across systems
A Foundation for Trust
Powering distributed networks where trust is built-in, not assumed
Current Version
Aqua Protocol v4 (Beta) - Built with Rust, featuring:
- Template system with JSON Schema validation
- Enhanced revision types and canonicalization
- Cross-platform support via WASM
- Improved scalability and flexibility
Aqua Protocol v3 (Stable) - Production-ready JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
We're excited to see where this journey takes us and invite you to explore, build, and contribute to the future of decentralized trust with Aqua Protocol!
Community & Contributions
Aqua Protocol is open source and community-driven. We welcome:
- Feedback: Share your thoughts and suggestions
- Bug Reports: Help us improve by reporting issues
- Code Contributions: Submit pull requests and improvements
- Documentation: Help make Aqua more accessible
GitHub Repositories
Browse our open-source code and contribute
Example Projects
Explore complete examples and implementation patterns
Follow Updates
Stay updated with announcements and progress
Get Support
Need help? Reach out to our team
Next Steps
Ready to dive deeper?
- Start Building: Follow the Quick Start Guide to create your first Aqua chain
- Understand the Protocol: Read the Schema Reference for technical details
- Explore Use Cases: See how others are using Aqua in real-world applications
- Join the Community: Connect with developers on GitHub
Need Help?
Email us at info@inblock.io to talk to our team, or open an issue on GitHub for technical questions.