The End of Screenshots: Why Proof-of-Funds Must Be Verifiable
Screenshots can be faked in seconds. Here’s why lenders, investors, and institutions are moving to verifiable proof-of-funds-and how self-custody tools make it secure.
For years, crypto holders have relied on screenshots to prove they own digital assets. A wallet balance on MetaMask, a line on an exchange dashboard-sent as an image to a lender, investor, or lawyer.
The problem? Screenshots aren’t proof. They’re unverifiable, easily manipulated, and meaningless in compliance workflows.
As crypto wealth enters the financial mainstream, proof-of-funds must evolve - from screenshots to cryptographic verification.
The Problem With Screenshots
Screenshots are convenient, but they fail every test of integrity:
- They’re editable - anyone can change a number with basic software.
- They’re static - no way to confirm when or where they were taken.
- They’re unlinked - no cryptographic tie between the user and the data shown.
- They’re non-compliant - regulators and auditors can’t verify their authenticity.
For individuals, screenshots create friction and mistrust. For institutions, they’re a compliance nightmare.
What Makes a Proof “Verifiable”
A verifiable proof connects three things:
- Ownership - cryptographic evidence that the user controls the wallet.
- Balance - the on-chain amount associated with that wallet.
- Timestamp - confirmation that the data was captured at a specific moment.
Combined, these create an immutable proof-of-funds that anyone can verify-without exposing private keys or personal data.
Why Institutions Are Moving Away From Screenshots
Banks, lenders, and funds are realising screenshots don’t hold up under scrutiny. Instead, they need:
- Auditable trails - digital proofs that can be traced, logged, and verified.
- Regulatory confidence - AML/KYC compliance that doesn’t depend on user honesty.
- Automation - the ability to verify multiple users or wallets instantly via API.
In short: screenshots don’t scale.
Modern compliance needs machine-verifiable, cryptographically signed proofs.
How Accredifi Replaces Screenshots
Accredifi was built to eliminate screenshots entirely.
Here’s how:
-
Cryptographic Signatures
Users sign a unique message from their wallet-proving ownership without revealing private keys. -
On-Chain Verification
Accredifi fetches live balances directly from the blockchain, ensuring data integrity. -
Access Requests
Institutions send time-limited, permissioned links instead of emails or attachments. -
API-First Design
Verification results can be pulled into compliance systems automatically-no manual review required.
Each proof is tamper-proof, timestamped, and independently verifiable.
Why It Matters for Compliance
Under frameworks like the EU’s MiCA and the UK’s AML regulations, institutions must be able to demonstrate that client funds are authentic and traceable.
A cryptographically verified proof-of-funds delivers:
- Regulatory-grade evidence
- User privacy (no need to expose wallet seed or identity)
- Institutional efficiency (API-ready proofs for onboarding, lending, or investment)
This is how trustless verification becomes compliant verification.
The Future Is Verifiable
Screenshots belong to crypto’s early days.
Verification belongs to its future.
As more lenders, funds, and legal firms adopt non-custodial verification, users will finally be able to prove what they hold-without giving up control.
That’s what Accredifi enables today.
Learn more about Proof of Funds in Crypto and Crypto Wallet Verification.
Related Articles
- Proof of Funds in Crypto: Why Screenshots Don’t Cut It
- Crypto Wallet Verification: How to Prove Ownership Without Risking Your Funds
- Crypto Access Requests: How to Share Wallet Data Without Losing Control
- API-First Compliance: How Institutions Can Verify Crypto Funds Without Taking Custody
- MiCA Enforcement Begins: What It Means for Crypto Proof of Funds
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.