As the crypto community struggles to recover from the shock and losses of the current crypto winter, proof of reserves (PoR) has gone from a buzzword to a roar in recent weeks. Criteria and rankings for acceptable PoR are starting to emerge after a frenzy of discussion and study, but the specifics of how to perform proof of reserves or even who should do it are still up for debate.
The distinction between proof of assets and proof of reserves was soon made, as were the individual shortcomings of each. The attempts of traditional auditors to provide POR were promptly thwarted, with large firms stepping forward and swiftly receding.