Digital promissory notes
– the simplest way to record debt
Paper slows finance. trace:original makes it move.
With Enigio’s trace:original, you can create, issue, and manage digital promissory notes that carry full legal effect under MLETR or contract law through the ITFA DNI Initiative’s ePU standard.
It’s faster, safer, more cost-efficient, and more sustainable — without giving up legal certainty.
Why paper promissory notes hold finance back
Promissory notes are one of the most efficient tools in trade finance — a single document that records debt clearly and is recognised worldwide. But paper limits their potential.
Traditional promissory notes must be printed, signed in wet ink, and physically couriered between parties. They take time, invite errors, and create unnecessary costs and risk.
trace:original keeps the legal strength of promissory notes — and removes the inefficiency of paper.
Meet trace:original – the digital, original, and open promissory note
trace:original creates digital originals that are legally valid, tamper-proof, and transferable across any system. It replicates the legal properties of paper — originality, possession, and transfer — but removes physical handling entirely.
Only the creator needs to be an Enigio customer.
Once issued, the document can be received and managed by anyone, anywhere.
It’s as easy as sending a PDF — except this one holds legal value.
Key benefits of using
digital promissory notes
-
Faster, seamless transactions
Create and transfer promissory notes in seconds instead of days.
No courier, no waiting, no lost paperwork. -
Lower costs and fewer errors
Courier costs drop from around €150 to roughly €22.
Lead times fall from 12 days to zero — with fewer manual steps and reconciliation errors. -
Secure and tamper-proof
Each note is cryptographically secured with a full audit trail.
Only the holder can modify, transfer, or invalidate it — ensuring integrity throughout its life cycle.
-
Accessible and interoperable
trace:original promissory notes are PDFs with structured data for straight-through processing (STP).
Readable by humans and machines, they can move freely between systems, banks, and platforms — instantly.
-
Sustainable and inclusive
No paper. No shipping. No emissions.
Digital promissory notes make smaller, faster transactions viable — helping SMEs access financing opportunities once limited by manual processing.
How trace:original eBLs ensure safety, transparency, and control
Traceability
complete audit trail of all actions
Integrity
only the holder can amend or transfer the note
Authenticity
verifiable via blockchain evidence at any time
Transparency
visibility throughout the transaction
Storage
owner-controlled with optional digital backups
No central database. No intermediaries. Just verifiable trust.
Legal frameworks that make it possible
MLETR – recognising digital negotiable instruments
The UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) ensures that digital documents like promissory notes have the same legal standing as paper — provided they maintain:
- A single, original version
- Clear and verifiable possession
- Secure transferability between holders
trace:original meets these requirements, making digital promissory notes legally enforceable wherever MLETR-based legislation applies.
ITFA’s DNI Initiative – valid under contract law
For jurisdictions that haven’t yet adopted MLETR, the International Trade and Forfaiting Association (ITFA), under the DNI Initiative introduced the electronic payment undertaking (ePU) — a binding digital equivalent to a promissory note under contract law.
trace:original supports both frameworks, ensuring global enforceability — whether through legislation or contract law.
Ditch the paper,
keep the trust.
Ready to make your trade faster, safer, and paper-free?
Schedule a one-on-one session to see how trace:original can digitise your documentation from day one — without disrupting how you work.
By selecting submit you consent to the Enigio Privacy Policy
Quick facts
FEATURE
Drop-in replacement for paper
BENEFIT
No process change
FEATURE
Legally valid
BENEFIT
MLETR and ITFA ePU compliant
FEATURE
Secure and traceable
BENEFIT
Full audit trail and blockchain verification
FEATURE
Open network
BENEFIT
Only the creator needs an Enigio account
FEATURE
Cost-efficient
BENEFIT
Up to 90% lower processing costs
FEATURE
Sustainable
BENEFIT
Eliminates paper and courier emissions
Frequently asked questions
A digital promissory note is an electronic record of debt that carries the same legal and commercial functions as its paper counterpart. With trace:original, it can be issued, transferred, and held entirely digitally without losing legal enforceability.
