Keybase: File Sharing with Bitcoin Blockchain Encryption

There’s a new application in crypto-land called Keybase.io a platform that promises cryptographically ensured file sharing. The service boasts a system of verifiable signed directories that also using the Bitcoin blockchain to anchor a user’s keys. This, in turn, allows people to encrypt file sharing with a public and private folder, providing blockchain-based end-to-end encryption.

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Big news, everyone, — Alpha releases of the Keybase app are starting to come with a cryptographically secure file mount. It is brand new. And very different.

Blockchain Enhanced File Sharing

The alpha release of Keybase will offer users 10GB of storage, and the service may introduce paid plans and upgrades in the future. Users can share data with other Keybase users in an encrypted fashion knowing that the content is secure. This is due to the fact the keys that go with your content is hashed into the Bitcoin blockchain and will remain there forever.

“Thanks to Bitcoin, we are now unforkable,” stated the developers on their page, adding that it would be perfect for users who would like to keep information safeguarded forever like activists, and government 2.0 projects. Keybase’s website states:  

Since 16 June 2014, Keybase has been regularly pushing its Merkle Root into the Bitcoin blockchain.— Now, Alice and Bob can consult the blockchain to find a recent root of the Keybase Merkle tree. Unless Eve can fork the Bitcoin blockchain, Alice and Bob will see the same value, and can catch Eve if she tries to fork Keybase.

Keybase was founded by Chris Coyne and Maxwell Krohn, who created the startup in 2014. The service has raised over $10 million USD in Series A funding last year and has been developing the application ever since. Currently, users can easily encrypt, decrypt and share between Keybase accounts and data can also be tethered to Twitter and GitHub. Keybase has no initial plans to how it will profit off the model. However, the company isn’t concerned about profiting and aims to please the globe. Coyne’s announcement reads:  

“We’re a long way off from worrying about this, but we’ll never run an ad-supported business again. And Keybase will never sell data. These are our constraints: no ads, no selling data, we want free, easy public keys for everyone in the world.”

The project has quite a bit of literature on the subject for those interested in researching the platform. This includes how to use the API, the command line and other features involved with the Keybase system. Everything is also viewable on GitHub and issues can be reported there. You can find out how to gain access to the service now via the website, but you might have to wait to get an invite from a Keybase user.

Those who want to use a system similar to Dropbox but with cryptographic security will likely enjoy this new service when it’s fully released. Bitcoin.com will be keeping an eye out on this project and keep our readers informed.

What do you think about the Keybase service? Let us know in the comments below.

Images courtesy of Keybase.io website, and Shutterstock 

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