QUESTIONS / SHORT ANSWERS WITH THEIR LIMITS
Before you
rely on it.
The protocol, the implementation, the money and the practical limits.
What is URMA?
An open protocol and a Rust implementation for writing encrypted files and signed public records into blockchain transactions, verifying them with any compatible reader, and recovering them without the original host, account or application.
Can a published record be deleted?
Not individually. A confirmed record is inside a block that every full copy of the chain carries. The protocol has no delete operation and no central provider who could perform one. Removing it would mean reorganizing the chain from that block onward, for everyone.
Where exactly is the data stored?
Inside Taproot transactions on Bitcoin-family blockchains, Litecoin first. Private content is encrypted before it is published; public records are signed in the clear. Larger objects span several transactions tied together by a root manifest.
How do I get it back?
Point a compatible reader at any chain source, such as your own node or a public source that returns transactions. It verifies the proofs and reassembles the parts; private content opens with your key. No account, no URMA service, no original app.
Is it only for photographs?
No. The protocol carries any bytes. Capture, the journalism workflow for photos, video and documents, is the first use case. Git snapshots, public text, private archives and site packages use the same records.
Who pays for publication?
The publisher pays ordinary network fees; the CLI quotes them before broadcasting. Reading and recovery are free.
Who funds URMA?
ROSINT.org invested USD 25,000 to reach V0. Five further stages take URMA to 1.0 and its own device; see the funding page.
Does URMA guarantee permanent availability?
It guarantees that a confirmed record cannot be erased on its own. Reaching a chain source stays on your side.
Does verification prove a statement is true?
No. It proves the bytes are intact and who authorized them.
What does V0 mean?
The protocol’s current stage, not a package version.
Which network does the CLI use?
Litecoin mainnet when no network flag is supplied. Choose the network explicitly.
Where should I start?
Install the CLI and read urma --help, or pick one of the crates on the Build page. The public repository holds the implementation and its tests.