5.1 Content Hashing System

The integrity of ProofLayer relies on cryptographic hashing to create unique digital fingerprints of content:

• Deterministic: The same input always produces the same hash
• Collision-resistant: Practically impossible to find two different inputs with the same hash
• Avalanche effect: Even minor changes to input create entirely different hashes
• One-way function: Cannot derive the original content from the hash

ProofLayer utilizes SHA-256, a widely-adopted and secure hashing algorithm, to generate these digital fingerprints.

5.2 Decentralized Storage

Content storage leverages the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS):

• Content-addressing: Files are retrieved based on their content, not location
• Distributed storage: No single point of failure for content access
• Immutability: Content cannot be changed without changing its identifier
• Deduplication: Identical content is only stored once across the network

5.3 Blockchain Attestation Layer

The Polygon blockchain serves as the immutable ledger for ProofLayer:

• Transaction efficiency: Fast confirmation times and low transaction costs
• Smart contract support: Programmable verification logic
• EVM compatibility: Interoperability with Ethereum ecosystem
• Sustainability: Energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus