Accurate and decentralized timestamping using smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain

作者：

Highlights：

• In theory, the mean accuracy of Ethereum timestamps can vary in up to tens of seconds.

• In practice, Ethereum block timestamps can allow to backdate transactions.

• A smart contract and distinct witnesses together can issue decentralized timestamps.

• Decentralized timestamps can provide proof of existence with accuracy of milliseconds.

• Decentralized timestamps can be more reliable than RFC3161 timestamps.

摘要

•In theory, the mean accuracy of Ethereum timestamps can vary in up to tens of seconds.•In practice, Ethereum block timestamps can allow to backdate transactions.•A smart contract and distinct witnesses together can issue decentralized timestamps.•Decentralized timestamps can provide proof of existence with accuracy of milliseconds.•Decentralized timestamps can be more reliable than RFC3161 timestamps.

论文关键词：Ethereum,Timestamp,Trusted timestamping,Blockchain,Accuracy,Smart contract

论文评审过程：Received 15 May 2020, Revised 9 December 2020, Accepted 11 December 2020, Available online 6 January 2021, Version of Record 16 March 2021.

论文官网地址：https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2020.102471