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词汇表Proof of Reserves (PoR)
Proof of Reserves (PoR)
Proof of Reserves (PoR) is a method of using cryptographic verification to demonstrate possession of digital assets.
What Is Proof of Reserves (PoR)?
Proof of Reserves (PoR) is a method of using cryptographic verification to demonstrate possession of digital assets. It is used by
centralized exchanges to demonstrate their solvency and assure clients that the exchange will be able to pay out customer deposits in times of market volatility.
PoR refers to digital assets that can be verified through on-chain methods like tracking wallets. It does not include
off-chain assets like cash reserves or other
fiat assets.
What Does Proof of Reserves Mean?
Proof-of-Reserves gained in popularity following the collapse of
FTX, which went insolvent by using customer funds to cover balance sheet holes for its trading arm, Alameda Research. Other centralized exchanges reacted to the call for public attestations to their reserves by publishing or promising to publish proof of reserves.
In theory, proof of reserves should assure customers of a custodian's solvency and increase confidence in their business. In practice, however, proof of reserves can be manipulated or tampered with or can simply not reveal the full picture.
For instance, PoR can be tampered with by borrowing assets on a short-term basis while the balance sheet snapshot is provided. Thus, PoR should always include wallet addresses to enable the tracking of fund movements.
PoR also says nothing about off-chain assets or liabilities. A custodian may hold additional assets off-chain or in undeclared wallets. Therefore, a full audit would be needed to guarantee complete information in a PoR testament. It can be seen as an attempt at self-regulation and increasing user confidence in the face of distrust over the business practices of
custodial crypto companies.
Who Does Proof of Reserves?
According to blockchain insider
Nick Carter, several exchanges and lenders have voluntarily provided a PoR as of November 2022:
Exchanges
Kraken (auditor-assisted, user validation with merkle approach, point in time) (11/2022)
BitMex (self-assessment, user validation with merkle approach, ongoing) (11/2022)
Coinfloor (self-assessment, user validation with merkle approach) (08/2021)
Gate.io (auditor-assisted, user validation with merkle approach, point in time) (05/2020)
HBTC (self-assessment, user validation with merkle approach, point in time) (05/2021)
Lenders
CakeDeFi (quarterly attestations with proof of assets) (11/2022)
Nexo (auditor-assisted, ongoing) (daily attestation)
Ledn (user validation with merkle approach, ongoing [semi-annually]) (08/2021)
Another set of exchanges provided a proof of assets with no corresponding liabilities:
Why Do We Need Proof of Reserves?
PoR is useful for several reasons:
A PoR attestation signals vigilance regarding an exchange's solvency. It increases user confidence in a custodian and testifies to a certain degree of transparency the custodian guarantees.
PoR is a means of self-regulation. Even though some exchanges are not regulated in the United States, PoR may result in more favorable treatment by US regulators and more confidence from their user base.
PoR makes it more difficult to obscure illegal and unethical business practices like rehypothecating user deposits.
Still, PoR is not trustless. It relies on voluntary engagement and does not guarantee full transparency of a custodian's financial situation. However, given the industry's poor record of transparency concerning customer funds, it is, by many, considered a start to establishing a minimum standard of self-regulation. Moreover, exchanges and lenders are encouraged and free to seek additional regulation to increase their reputation in the market, and in doing so, gain their customers' trust.
Benefits of Proof of Reserves
The benefits of PoR can be summarized as follows:
Trust: PoR attestations increase the trust of customers and industry operators alike.
Auditability: PoR is a first step toward demonstrating full solvency and allows the tracing of digital assets owned by a company.
Fraud: PoR establishes a baseline for best practices regarding financial transparency and disincentivizes users from engaging with companies that don't provide such attestations.
Customer Protection: PoR demonstrates a willingness to protect customer assets and put the customer's interest first.
Counterparty Risk: PoR can help mitigate fear-driven
bank runs that result from uncertainty over the solvency of a custodian's asset holdings.