Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

ABOUT ARTTS

ARTTS is a Belgian company specializing in the certification of artworks. It combines a rigorous approach—including identity verification of involved parties, data security via blockchain, and reliance on a neutral trusted third party (a bailiff/notary)—to ensure provenance, traceability, and legal validity of the artwork.

ARTTS is supported by professionals from multiple countries and diverse backgrounds: art connoisseurs and enthusiasts, security and technology experts, legal and financial professionals. The company is incorporated under Belgian law with VAT number BE0775 360 392.

We validate our clients’ identities through a basic KYC (“know your customer”) procedure and certify the artwork’s information, which is then submitted to a bailiff (trusted third party) who validates the operation and secures it on the blockchain. Recording the operation on-chain ensures data immutability and verifiability.

Your data are confidential and safeguarded at multiple levels:

  • Immutability: no risk of tampering.

  • Trusted third party: entry by a bailiff confers legal validity.

  • Enhanced confidentiality: use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) protects sensitive data.

We serve a wide spectrum of arts stakeholders:

  • Living artists, artisans, designers, and contemporary creators.

  • Art professionals: dealers, galleries, auction houses, experts.

  • Private and corporate collectors.
  • Cultural institutions.

 

Individual collectors cannot certify a work themselves: the artist, their representative, or rights‑holders (estate or committee) must agree and sign. If needed, we can refer you to recognized associations that can assist with certification and signing the certificates via ARTTS.

CLIENT BENEFITS & REGISTRATION

Artists, experts, and gallery owners still sign certificates of authenticity and assume responsibility for their contents. ARTTS provides a legal framework and chain of responsibility that enhances trust and legal protection by combining technology and a neutral third party—but does not alter existing art‑world norms: credentials and authority remain with individuals who understand the work.

  • For art professionals (dealers, advisors, auction houses): protect against fraud, deter forgers, reassure buyers, and establish a presumption of good faith in documentation.

  • For artists: reinforce buyer confidence and ensure the secure identity of your works.

Generally: provide legal security protecting authenticity and value.

Until December 31, 2025, new clients must register manually by contacting us via email (hello@artts.io). We deliberately operate within a strict trust framework. Automatic onboarding is not available.
 Clients then complete a form with personal details—including passport or ID—to verify identity. This information is kept confidential and validated by a bailiff, since the certification is tied to a person’s legal responsibility.
 We typically arrange a video or phone call to verify registration reasons and build trust. ARTTS is also accountable to bailiffs for whom it decides to enroll.

You may receive certificates via email, including the blockchain node URL with public operation details and bailiff contact information for proof or duplicate requests.
 Alternatively, you may access our client platform at https://www.artts‑pro.com/ to securely store your certificates and never lose them.

A certificate of authenticity for a unique artwork costs €39 (VAT incl.). This includes the bailiff’s involvement, personalized processing, and access to your documentation via artts‑pro.com or by email. This rate is valid until December 15, 2025.

WORKING WITH TRUSTED THIRD PARTIES

Public and ministerial officers (e.g. bailiffs in Belgium, commissioners of justice in France) impart legal value to certificates issued via ARTTS.
 Key reasons:

  • Trusted third party: neutral, independent, impartial, with strict ethical standards.

  • Legal responsibility: their acts have probative value and can be used in court.

  • Continuity: their files are transferred at retirement, ensuring long-term preservation.

  • International validity: recognized in many jurisdictions (especially EU).

  • Strict oversight: their activities are regulated by the state (e.g. sworn appointment).

A bailiff is a public ministerial officer appointed by judicial authorities (e.g. Ministry of Justice). They have exclusive legal authority for serving legal documents and enforcing court decisions. Bailiffs are crucial to the justice system, performing authentication (service, official reports), enforcement (seizures, evictions), and supplementary tasks (auctions, mediation, debt collection). Their credibility rests on training, ethics, and neutrality.

 

A bailiff provides these key services:

  • Identity verification (creator KYC)

  • Certificate validation (content, date, signature)

  • Blockchain anchoring (timestamping, file hashes)

  • Secure digital vault for sensitive data

Legal support in disputes or forgery cases
 Their participation adds legality, credibility, and protection well beyond what technology alone provides.

Yes—our technology and network of bailiffs enable certification services in many countries, especially within the European Union. Legal acts by bailiffs are widely recognized across EU jurisdictions.

DNA MARKING OF ARTWORKS

Since July 2025, ARTTS offers an optional feature to complement certification: marking artworks with a specific DNA sequence. This allows linking three elements: the person involved, object data, and the object itself via a unique, invisible, traceable DNA tag developed by Haelixa, under independent legal supervision.

This proprietary tagging solution, developed by Swiss company Haelixa, is backed by multiple patents (WO2013143014, WO2016169904, WO2020011807 covering the EU, US, and China). Haelixa is the world’s only provider offering this proven, high-performance technology. Any comparable solution likely infringes on Haelixa’s patented innovations.

You request the test through ARTTS; a bailiff authorizes sending a test kit. Two options:

  • A forensic kit can be sent to you and returned for analysis at Haelixa labs.
  • An on-site test may be performed by Haelixa at an agreed location, depending on your needs.

This premium option is currently reserved for large collections of multiple objects. Pricing is available on request.

If you have further questions send us an email hello@artts.io.  We are here to make your experience safe and easy.