Custodial vs External Wallets
Two Ways to Connect
TimeProof supports two wallet types. Both provide identical feature access — the same timestamp types, the same certificates, the same verification. The difference is who manages the cryptographic keys behind the wallet.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Custodial Wallet | External Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Google/Apple login | Install MetaMask or similar |
| Key management | Handled for you | You manage your own keys |
| Seed phrase | None (managed by provider) | You must back up securely |
| Crypto knowledge needed | None | Basic wallet usage |
| Security depends on | Your Google/Apple account | Your seed phrase and key management |
| Customer crypto payments | Not used | Not used |
| Hardware wallet | Not applicable | Supported (Ledger, Trezor via MetaMask) |
| TimeProof features | All | All |
| Account recovery | Via Google/Apple recovery | Via seed phrase only |
Custodial Wallets
How They Work
When you click “Sign in with Google” (or Apple, or another social provider), the Reown AppKit system creates an Ethereum wallet for you behind the scenes. The private key is managed by the wallet infrastructure — you never see it, store it, or interact with it.
From your perspective, it’s a normal social login. From the blockchain’s perspective, you have a real Ethereum address that can sign messages and interact with smart contracts.
Who Should Choose Custodial
- Non-crypto users — you’ve never used MetaMask and don’t want to learn
- Convenience-first users — you want one-click sign-in
- Low-risk users — your current Google/Apple account security is sufficient
- Quick testing — you want to try TimeProof without installing anything
Custodial Considerations
- Your wallet is only as secure as your social account. Enable two-factor authentication on Google/Apple
- You cannot export the private key or use the wallet outside of TimeProof
- Customer crypto payments aren’t available because TimeProof bills through Stripe regardless of wallet type
- If you lose access to your social account, you lose access to your TimeProof account
External Wallets
How They Work
You install a wallet application (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, etc.) and manage your own cryptographic keys. When you connect to TimeProof, you authorize the connection and sign the SIWE authentication message using your wallet.
Your private key never leaves your wallet. TimeProof only sees your public address and the signatures you approve.
Who Should Choose External
- Existing crypto users — you already have MetaMask or a similar wallet
- Control-first users — you want to own your keys and manage your security
- Self-custody users — you prefer direct key control even though billing still runs through Stripe
- Hardware wallet users — you use a Ledger or Trezor for maximum security
- Multi-platform users — you want to use the same wallet address across multiple services
Supported External Wallets
| Wallet | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MetaMask | Browser extension, mobile | Most popular Ethereum wallet |
| Coinbase Wallet | Browser extension, mobile | Backed by Coinbase exchange |
| WalletConnect | Any compatible wallet | Protocol that connects mobile wallets to web apps |
| Ledger (via MetaMask) | Hardware | Connect Ledger to MetaMask for hardware-level security |
| Trezor (via MetaMask) | Hardware | Connect Trezor to MetaMask for hardware-level security |
External Wallet Considerations
- You are responsible for your seed phrase. If you lose it and lose access to your wallet, your TimeProof account and all associated timestamps become inaccessible. TimeProof cannot recover your wallet
- Keep your wallet software updated to avoid security vulnerabilities
- Only sign transactions and messages you understand — review SIWE messages before approving
Choosing the Right Wallet
Decision Matrix
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Never used crypto | Custodial (Google/Apple) |
| Have MetaMask with funds | External (MetaMask) |
| Want the simplest experience | Custodial |
| Want direct key control | External |
| Need hardware wallet security | External (Ledger/Trezor via MetaMask) |
| Testing TimeProof before committing | Custodial |
| Building an enterprise integration | External (matches existing key infrastructure) |
The Permanence of Your Choice
Your wallet address is your permanent TimeProof identity. Credits, timestamps, organizations, and verification status are all tied to that address.
If you later want to switch from custodial to external (or vice versa), you’d be creating a new account with a new address. There’s no account migration path because wallet addresses are cryptographic identities — they can’t be transferred.
Choose carefully, but don’t stress: both options provide identical TimeProof functionality. The difference is purely in key management and convenience.
After Connecting
Regardless of wallet type, your next steps are the same:
- Add credits — purchase a one-time pack or start a verified monthly plan
- Create a timestamp — prove your first file
- Configure settings — set your display name and notification preferences
Related Guides
- Wallet Setup Guide — step-by-step connection instructions
- Account Settings — configure your profile
- Security Architecture — how TimeProof secures your data
- Buying Credits — purchase your first credit pack
Use the live product for timestamping and verification.
The company site owns the technical reference. The app handles runtime workflows.