Executive Summary
Exhibi.Tech is an innovative platform designed to bridge the gap between digital art and traditional gallery models, offering true exclusivity, robust security, and seamless ownership transfers without the volatility and environmental concerns associated with NFTs. By converting digital artworks into encrypted raw RGB pixel data, storing them securely, and enabling display on simple, single-button frames, Exhibi.Tech ensures that digital art feels as tangible and unique as physical pieces. This solution empowers digital artists to achieve gallery prestige while allowing dealers and operators to curate hybrid exhibitions with proven provenance.
In a market where NFT sales reached $574 million in July 2025 but face projected revenue of $504.3 million globally with a -5% growth rate into 2026, Exhibi.Tech provides a stable alternative, prioritizing data exclusivity through escrow mechanisms and encryption. This white paper outlines the challenges in digital art, Exhibi.Tech's technical architecture, benefits, pricing model, and implementation, positioning it as a viable evolution for the art world.
Problem Statement
Digital art has revolutionized creation and distribution, but it faces significant barriers in traditional gallery settings. Unlike physical works, digital files are easily copied, leading to a lack of scarcity and perceived value. NFTs attempted to address this through blockchain-based tokens, but they have been plagued by issues: market volatility (e.g., a 24% trading volume drop in Q1 2025), high transaction fees, environmental impact from energy-intensive mining, plagiarism risks, and a stigma from speculative scams.
For artists, this means limited access to exclusive gallery experiences, where provenance and uniqueness drive prestige. Galleries struggle to exhibit digital art without it feeling like a mere file copy, and collectors hesitate due to crypto complexity and lack of tangibility. With 11.58 million NFT users in 2025 projected to reach only 11.64 million, and global NFT revenue at $34.1 billion but facing slowdowns, there's a clear need for a secure, non-blockchain alternative that aligns with traditional art dealing's trust and compliance standards.
Solution Overview
Exhibi.Tech offers a secure digital art storage and display system that mimics physical art ownership. Artworks are converted to a universal numerical standard (raw RGB pixel data), encrypted, and stored with metadata in a protected database. Display occurs on dedicated frames with a single push button to "release" or "open" the frame, ensuring local rendering and memory wiping for exclusivity.
Key components:
- Encryption and Rekeying: AES-256 symmetric Image Key, encrypted with RSA/ECC owner public keys. Transfers re-encrypt the key, revoking old access.
- Exclusivity Mechanism: Escrow deletes/holds data during transfers, ensuring one copy exists at a time.
- Network Security: Wi-Fi hotspot (hidden SSID, WPA3) connects to closed LTE (eSIM, EIN lock).
- User Interface: Web UI for management; frames use purpose-specific 64-bit SBC for button detection.
This enables seamless integration into galleries, with hybrid physical-digital shows.
Loaning Provisions
To further emulate the physical art world's high-trust dynamics, Exhibi.Tech includes loaning provisions allowing owners (individuals or galleries) to temporarily share works while maintaining control. Loans are initiated via the web UI, where the owner grants access by rekeying the Image Key to the borrower's frame for a specified duration. The work remains owned by the lender but is displayed on the borrower's frame.
Return requires physical interaction: the borrower must "release" the work using the frame's button, which wipes the data from memory and notifies the system. Only then is the Image Key rekeyed back to the lender, ensuring the digital asset's return mirrors physical handover. This preserves "high trust" by tying control to tangible actions, preventing unauthorized retention and reinforcing the platform's emphasis on exclusivity.
Technical Details
Storage and Conversion
Artworks are processed to raw RGB (or grayscale) pixel arrays, independent of original formats. Each pixel is numerically represented (R, G, B values 0-255), flattened into a 1D array, and stored as an encrypted BLOB in a secure database. Metadata such as resolution, artist, and title is maintained alongside for provenance.
Encryption and Ownership
- Initial Encryption: Generate AES-256 Image Key, encrypt pixel data, then encrypt the Image Key with owner's public key.
- Rekeying: Decrypt Image Key (client-side for zero-knowledge), re-encrypt with new owner's public key.
- Key Management: Single private key per user, copied to frames in secure enclave.
Frame Operation
Hardware: Purpose-specific 64-bit SBC with GPIO for button, display driver, LTE modem.
Workflow: Button press releases art (clears display, wipes memory, sends "open" status). Web UI assigns encrypted data; frame decrypts/renders locally.
General Description: The system uses event detection to handle button presses, clearing displays and notifying the server, while decryption occurs in memory for security.
Security and Network
- End-to-End Encryption: TLS 1.3 for delivery.
- Exclusivity: Escrow confirms release before transfer, deletes old data.
Benefits and Comparison
Exhibi.Tech excels for artists (scarcity like physical art, royalties) and galleries (hybrid curation, compliance). Galleries gain a unique opportunity to mint artists' exclusive digital works, lending credibility and reputation to emerging creators who may have viewed physical gallery placement as unattainable. This not only elevates digital artists but allows galleries to generate revenue through minting fees and transfers while cultivating interest in a new demographic of talent, expanding their reach and influence.
| Aspect | Exhibi.Tech | NFTs |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership & Exclusivity | Encrypted key; escrow ensures single copy. | Token-based; files copyable. |
| Security | AES-256, closed LTE. | Blockchain hacks common. |
| Cost | Low; no fees. | High fees, volatility (24% Q1 2025 drop). |
| Environmental Impact | Minimal. | High energy use. |
| Provenance | Database tracking. | Token tracking, plagiarism risks. |
With NFT revenue at $504.3 million in 2025 and -5% growth, Exhibi.Tech offers stability.
Pricing Model
Exhibi.Tech employs a transparent, low-cost pricing structure designed to support artists, galleries, and the platform's sustainability without influencing artwork values.
- Minting Fees: $100 per artwork, split evenly between the minter (e.g., artist or gallery) and Exhibi.Tech for network maintenance.
- Ownership Transfers: $50 per transfer, payable by the seller post-sale. Exhibi.Tech does not require disclosure of the sale amount and does not intend to influence the overall value of works in the network.
- Frame Fees: Range from $250 to $1,500, based on unit size.
- Nodes: Required at each site for frame connectivity and minting. Supplied free with frame purchases; $25/month for network service.
This model ensures accessibility while funding ongoing development.
Implementation and Use Cases
Setup
Case-specific content server for hosting, with DNS configuration and HTTPS for security.
Use Cases
- Artist uploads art; gallery assigns to frame for exhibit.
- Collector buys, rekeys ownership without copies.
- Gallery loans work to an individual for temporary display; return triggered by physical release on borrower's frame.
Conclusion
Exhibi.Tech transforms digital art for traditional galleries, providing exclusivity and trust. With NFT markets cooling, it's a timely alternative. Contact us to partner.