qqantiq

qqantiq is a fictional open-source platform described here as a decentralized system for documenting provenance and authenticity of antiques and collectibles. The project is imagined as a tool to combat counterfeiting by providing tamper‑evident records that span manufacture, sale, and subsequent ownership transfers.

The concept envisions a modular architecture that combines a metadata schema for item identifiers, photographs, appraisal notes, and transfer events with a distributed ledger that records immutable timestamps and cryptographic signatures.

Technically, qqantiq would support interoperability with existing provenance standards and offer client libraries, a web interface, and mobile apps. Core data would be stored with privacy controls, allowing selective disclosure of sensitive ownership information, while large media files could be kept off-chain with cryptographic hashes to verify integrity.

History and status: The concept originated in 2020 within hobbyist and museum discussion groups and remains fictional. It is used in this article as a thought experiment to illustrate how distributed ledgers might assist authentication and provenance in the art and antiques market, without implying real deployments.

Reception and outlook: Proponents note potential gains in transparency and trust, while critics warn of privacy risks, data quality reliance, and governance challenges. The entry highlights the importance of standardization, user education, and careful implementation to prevent misuse.

See also: provenance, blockchain in art, digital certificates, anti-counterfeiting in collectibles.