What is Proofenance?
Proofenance defines and manages ProofMarked , standards and workflows that meet the level UK regulations require of galleries, dealers, and auction houses (art market participants).
We are not a bank, not the seller of the work, and not a data broker.
Art market participants run eligible sales on Proofenance so each step follows those standards; you will be asked to complete only what applies to your purchase.
What you are being asked to do
When a dealer invites you to Proofenance, they are usually meeting duties under UK art-market anti–money laundering (AML) rules: confirming who is buying, whether extra steps apply for higher-value works, and sometimes how funds are moving. Proofenance applies defined standards so that duty becomes a clear sequence on your phone , with an access code, explained steps, and a record the dealer can defend later.
Your purchase contract remains with the gallery or dealer. Proofenance holds and processes compliance material for that transaction, under the rules that apply to an art market participant.
Why this is relevant to you as a collector
- Clarity before you upload. You should see what is being asked and why, tied to a named sale , not a one-size-fits-all form in someone's inbox.
- Stronger handling than email. Passport scans and bank details sent as attachments are easy to forward, lose, or store indefinitely in the wrong place. Proofenance is designed for sensitive documents.
- Evidence the dealer takes compliance seriously. A structured process (and often a Powered by Proofenance mark) signals they are not improvising at the last moment.
Why information security matters →
What Proofenance is not
- Not a payment institution , card and bank flows use regulated partners where applicable.
- Not a marketplace , we do not sell art or match buyers and sellers.
- Not an advertising network , we do not sell your data or build marketing profiles from your ID.
What happens technically (in brief)
You open a link, enter a six-character access code, and complete only the steps required for your sale (identity, address, open-banking check, or payment). Each step is logged; access is limited to people the dealer authorises. When regulators or auditors require it, the dealer can show what was collected, when, and by whom , without digging through email threads.