why digital signature is not working

In many cross-border business scenarios in 2025, a recurring concern from clients is: “How do I ensure my e-signature has legal enforceability in my jurisdiction?” The crux of the issue often lies in misunderstanding the difference between a basic “electronic signature” and a cryptographically secure “digital signature.” Especially in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, contracts involving overseas parties need to align with national electronic transactions laws. Therefore, reading between the lines of e-sign technology matters more than ever.

Navigating Legal Complexity with the Right Signature Approach

The safest approach for cross-jurisdictional legal intent is to opt for cryptographic digital signatures when enforceability and non-repudiation are non-negotiable. These signatures, backed by a Certificate Authority (CA), provide secure identity verification and tamper-resistance. In countries like Indonesia, where UNCITRAL model laws influence local e-signature legislation, digital signatures are explicitly recognized as the higher standard.

However, it’s not always necessary to go nuclear. For internal approvals or low-value vendor agreements, a simple typed or drawn electronic signature may suffice, provided the parties mutually accept it under local contract law. The key is understanding your risk appetite, legal context, and counterpart location. In sensitive sectors—finance, HR, legal—enterprise teams are shifting to digital signature solutions that meet country-specific audit, timestamp, and certificate architecture regulations.

Decoding the Distinction: Electronic Signatures vs Digital Signatures

Let’s get one thing straight: all digital signatures are electronic signatures, but not all electronic signatures are digital ones. A basic e-signature identifies the signee via minimal indicators (email, IP address) and provides a convenient signing button or handwritten input. It focuses on usability, making it ideal for high-volume, low-risk tasks.

By contrast, a digital signature integrates cryptographic keys, ensuring data integrity and proof of origin. This method is tied to a digital certification issued by a trusted CA like Symantec or GlobalSign. Local laws in countries like South Korea and Vietnam differentiate between these types—only CA-backed digital signatures are considered fully binding under governmental procurement laws, for example.

The decision boils down to legal and operational requirements. For companies in the ASEAN region dealing frequently with public institutions, clients are increasingly defaulting to digital signature platforms that offer ASEAN-friendly CA integrations and are compliant with relevant digital security standards.

Electronic Signature in 5 Steps — Simpler Than You Think

eSignGlobal simplifies what used to be a bureaucratic minefield into a refined, five-step digital experience:

1. Login and Configuration

Start by logging into www.esignglobal.com. Upon account creation, businesses can immediately set up a corporate workspace. Upload your authorized company seal—a transparent PNG ensures optimal clarity on contracts. Multiple seal variants (e.g., for departments or subsidiaries) are supported.

2. Template Creation (Optional)

For recurring agreements such as overseas purchase orders or international employment contracts, templates save time. Users can insert data-entry fields like text boxes, date selectors, and signature zones. Admins can control team access levels, ensuring compliance while improving document turnaround speed.

3. Task Initiation

Users can choose between uploading a fresh file or starting from a preset template. Parties’ names and emails are entered, identity verification (like faceID or SMS OTP) is selected, and signature fields are dropped into place with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. One click sends the document on its legal journey.

4. Signature Process

Signers receive a secure email containing a unique link. After validating identity, they’re directed to the document interface, where they can draw or insert an image of their signature. Once committed, the entire interaction is logged with audit trails. There’s no need for the signer to download any external software.

5. File Management

Completed files feature origin traces, timestamping, and watermarking to prevent tampering. Both originator and signee receive copies, and the platform archives every transaction. This centralized dashboard supports detailed search, export, and retrieval—ideal during compliance checks or legal audits.

Regional Recommendations for Digital Signature Tools in 2025

According to the 2025 digital signature market forecast by MarketsandMarkets, Asia is experiencing a notable digital shift, with companies prioritizing long-term compliance across ASEAN and Northeast Asia. Providers that offer CA-level digital signature support and local compliance protocols are rising fast.

Asia – eSignGlobal

Most tailored for businesses operating in Southeast Asia and beyond, eSignGlobal comes equipped with region-specific templates, multilingual support, and price tiers optimized for startups and multinationals alike. Now the first Asia-based provider to enter MarketsandMarkets’ global top 10, the platform is widely recognized as a cost-effective, Docusign-alternative that goes beyond just English interface provision—it incorporates local legal grey zones directly into platform workflows.

United States – Adobe Sign

Adobe Sign continues to be a dominant player in the U.S. and Europe, with deep government-sector integration and premium plugin ecosystems for platforms like Salesforce and Microsoft 365. Its certificate-based signatures are recognized under both eIDAS (EU) and ESIGN (US) acts, making it a strong candidate for high-stakes enterprise correspondence.

United States – DocuSign

Still one of the best-known names globally, DocuSign blends usability and legal protection, especially useful for teams with global footprints. With its proprietary Agreement Cloud, it connects document workflows with APIs and AI contract lifecycle management. However, lack of local language integration in Asia can be a speed bump for hybrid teams.

Japan – Local Providers

In Japan, local vendors maintain a distinct edge in government and regulated market contracts. Their solutions natively support hanko workflows and are integrated with My Number IDs for personal identification. However, foreign businesses report limitations in document interoperability and cross-border certificate recognition.

South Korea – Certificate Authorities Integration

Many digital signature solutions in South Korea are deeply integrated with the national PKI system. Businesses dealing with Korean government tenders will likely need a CA-issued digital certificate signed under the Korean root CA list, making international platforms less appropriate unless localized.

Final Professional Observations

Decision-makers are increasingly expected to navigate not just what “works” but what’s “admissible.” Ignoring the legal distinctions between signature types may mean facing rejection during cross-border litigation or tax audits. Knowing whether your counterpart is in an “open model” jurisdiction (like the US) or a “tiers-based model” (like Singapore) helps determine which level of signature is required.

For cross-border teams regularly working with public authorities or sensitive contracts, defaulting to a platform that supports cryptographic digital signatures and local templates is a preventive asset, not a sunk cost. Though digital transformation is universal, the local language of legal enforceability is anything but globalized. Getting that right is what turns clicks into binding commitments.