TrustVault

TrustVault is a decentralized content ownership platform that allows users to upload files, store them on IPFS via Pinata, and generate verifiable proof of ownership using the Sui blockchain.

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Inspiration

In the digital age, creators constantly struggle to prove ownership of their work. Images, documents, research papers, and digital art can be copied and redistributed without clear proof of origin. We wanted to build a system where creators could upload their work and instantly generate a transparent, verifiable proof of ownership. TrustVault was inspired by the idea of combining decentralized storage with blockchain verification to create a trustworthy platform where ownership of digital content can be proven and verified by anyone.

What it does

TrustVault is a decentralized content ownership platform that allows users to upload files and generate permanent proof of ownership.

When a user uploads a file, the platform:

• Stores the file on IPFS through Pinata • Generates a unique Content Identifier (CID) • Calculates a SHA256 hash of the file • Records ownership metadata such as wallet address and timestamp • Optionally registers the proof on the Sui blockchain

Each file gets a public verification page that displays:

• CID (Content Identifier) • Owner wallet address • Upload timestamp • File hash • IPFS storage link • Blockchain verification status

Anyone can open the verification page and independently verify that the file exists on IPFS and belongs to the recorded owner.

TrustVault also prevents duplicate uploads because IPFS uses content addressing, meaning identical files always produce the same CID.

How we built it

We built TrustVault using a full-stack architecture that combines decentralized storage, blockchain verification, and a modern web interface.

Frontend We used Next.js and React to build the user interface. The frontend allows users to upload files, connect their Sui wallet, and view verification pages. Tailwind CSS was used for styling and building a clean UI.

Backend The backend was built with FastAPI and SQLAlchemy. It handles file uploads, interacts with the Pinata API to store files on IPFS, calculates file hashes, manages metadata in a SQLite database, and exposes APIs for verification.

Decentralized Storage Files are uploaded to IPFS through Pinata. IPFS generates a CID that uniquely identifies the file based on its content.

Blockchain Layer We deployed a Move smart contract on the Sui blockchain. The contract allows us to register file proofs containing the CID and hash, creating an immutable record of ownership.

Verification System The verification page fetches metadata from the backend and cross-checks blockchain registration to display transparent proof of ownership.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was integrating multiple decentralized technologies into a single workflow. Coordinating interactions between IPFS, the backend server, and the Sui blockchain required careful handling of asynchronous processes.

Another challenge was ensuring duplicate detection. Because IPFS generates the same CID for identical files, we had to design logic that prevents duplicate records while still allowing users to verify existing uploads.

We also had to manage wallet integration and blockchain transactions from the frontend, ensuring that ownership registration worked smoothly with the Sui wallet.

Debugging interactions between the frontend, backend APIs, and blockchain transactions took significant effort during development.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud that we built a working system that combines decentralized storage and blockchain verification into a simple and intuitive platform.

Some highlights include:

• Successfully uploading files to IPFS using Pinata • Generating unique CIDs and file hashes • Preventing duplicate uploads through content addressing • Building a public verification page for any uploaded file • Deploying and interacting with a Sui Move smart contract • Creating a complete full-stack decentralized ownership platform

TrustVault demonstrates how decentralized technologies can be used to protect digital creators and provide transparent ownership verification.

What we learned

This project taught us how to design systems that combine decentralized infrastructure with traditional web technologies.

We learned how IPFS content addressing works and how CIDs uniquely identify files. We also gained hands-on experience with the Sui blockchain and Move smart contracts, including how to register and verify data on-chain.

Additionally, we learned how to integrate blockchain wallets into web applications and manage the interaction between frontend transactions and backend APIs.

Most importantly, we learned how decentralized systems can be combined to build real-world applications that solve practical problems.

What's next for TrustVault

There are several exciting improvements we plan to add to TrustVault.

Future upgrades include:

• NFT-based ownership certificates • AI-powered plagiarism and similarity detection • Full on-chain verification of file records • Support for more file types and previews • Decentralized identity integration for creators • Licensing and ownership transfer features • Deployment of the platform for public use

Our long-term goal is to make TrustVault a platform where creators, researchers, and developers can securely register and prove ownership of their digital work.

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