Christie’s Introduces Blockchain-Powered Certificates for Art Ownership

Blockchain technology has entered the art ownership space thanks to a partnership between prominent auction house Christie’s and cryptocurrency wallet company Kresus. Through this partnership, collectors will be able to more easily and securely preserve ownership records by having access to a cutting-edge digital solution for maintaining and authenticating art collections.

As part of the photography auction An Eye Towards the Real: Photographs from the Collection of Ambassador Trevor Traina, Kresus will issue digital Certificates of Ownership for more than 130 pieces of art. According to a press release shared with crypto.news, these certificates will be minted on the Base blockchain, a platform developed by Coinbase.

The use of blockchain technology ensures that each certificate is unique and tamper-proof, providing an unchangeable record of ownership and provenance for the artworks. Buyers can access these digital certificates through the Kresus wallet, offering a reliable and secure alternative to traditional paper records.

Blockchain Simplifies Art Collection Management

For collectors, using blockchain to track art ownership eliminates the risks associated with paper-based documentation, such as loss or forgery. Trevor Traina, founder of Kresus, highlighted how this technology streamlines the process. He explained, “As an art collector, I am well aware of the burden of managing and maintaining provenance and proper documentation—often in paper form and in file cabinets. This partnership with Christie’s exemplifies how technology can enhance the experience for collectors, providing a secure, digital way to manage physical assets.”

Works by well-known photographers like Diane Arbus and Cindy Sherman will be up for auction, and Kresus’ digital certificates highlight the trend toward a safer and more effective approach to managing art collections.