diff --git a/pkg/args/args.go b/pkg/args/args.go
index 3cee3ce..a840c6e 100644
--- a/pkg/args/args.go
+++ b/pkg/args/args.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/basicnode"
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/printer"
 
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/literal"
 )
 
@@ -62,6 +63,10 @@ func (a *Args) Add(key string, val any) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	if err := limits.ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(node); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("value for key %q: %w", key, err)
+	}
+
 	a.Values[key] = node
 	a.Keys = append(a.Keys, key)
 
@@ -164,3 +169,14 @@ func (a *Args) Clone() *Args {
 	}
 	return res
 }
+
+// Validate checks that all values in the Args are valid according to UCAN specs
+func (a *Args) Validate() error {
+	for key, value := range a.Values {
+		if err := limits.ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(value); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("value for key %q: %w", key, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/args/args_test.go b/pkg/args/args_test.go
index 2a44d0f..938151f 100644
--- a/pkg/args/args_test.go
+++ b/pkg/args/args_test.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/args"
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/literal"
 )
 
@@ -185,6 +186,71 @@ func TestInclude(t *testing.T) {
 	}, maps.Collect(a1.Iter()))
 }
 
+func TestArgsIntegerBounds(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		key     string
+		val     int64
+		wantErr string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "valid int",
+			key:  "valid",
+			val:  42,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "max safe integer",
+			key:  "max",
+			val:  limits.MaxInt53,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "min safe integer",
+			key:  "min",
+			val:  limits.MinInt53,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "exceeds max safe integer",
+			key:     "tooBig",
+			val:     limits.MaxInt53 + 1,
+			wantErr: "exceeds safe integer bounds",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "below min safe integer",
+			key:     "tooSmall",
+			val:     limits.MinInt53 - 1,
+			wantErr: "exceeds safe integer bounds",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "duplicate key",
+			key:     "duplicate",
+			val:     42,
+			wantErr: "duplicate key",
+		},
+	}
+
+	a := args.New()
+	require.NoError(t, a.Add("duplicate", 1)) // tests duplicate key
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := a.Add(tt.key, tt.val)
+			if tt.wantErr != "" {
+				require.Error(t, err)
+				require.Contains(t, err.Error(), tt.wantErr)
+			} else {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				val, err := a.GetNode(tt.key)
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				i, err := val.AsInt()
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				require.Equal(t, tt.val, i)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 const (
 	argsSchema = "type Args { String : Any }"
 	argsName   = "Args"
diff --git a/pkg/policy/ipld.go b/pkg/policy/ipld.go
index 9d52d4d..752dd96 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/ipld.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/ipld.go
@@ -9,10 +9,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/must"
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/basicnode"
 
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/selector"
 )
 
 func FromIPLD(node datamodel.Node) (Policy, error) {
+	if err := limits.ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(node); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("policy contains integer values outside safe bounds: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	return statementsFromIPLD("/", node)
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/policy/limits/int.go b/pkg/policy/limits/int.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91dd135
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/policy/limits/int.go
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+package limits
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/must"
+)
+
+const (
+	// MaxInt53 represents the maximum safe integer in JavaScript (2^53 - 1)
+	MaxInt53 = 9007199254740991
+	// MinInt53 represents the minimum safe integer in JavaScript (-2^53 + 1)
+	MinInt53 = -9007199254740991
+)
+
+func ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(node ipld.Node) error {
+	switch node.Kind() {
+	case ipld.Kind_Int:
+		val := must.Int(node)
+		if val > MaxInt53 || val < MinInt53 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("integer value %d exceeds safe bounds", val)
+		}
+	case ipld.Kind_List:
+		it := node.ListIterator()
+		for !it.Done() {
+			_, v, err := it.Next()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(v); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	case ipld.Kind_Map:
+		it := node.MapIterator()
+		for !it.Done() {
+			_, v, err := it.Next()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if err := ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(v); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/policy/limits/int_test.go b/pkg/policy/limits/int_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de3f21e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/policy/limits/int_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package limits
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/datamodel"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/fluent/qp"
+	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/basicnode"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(t *testing.T) {
+	buildMap := func() datamodel.Node {
+		nb := basicnode.Prototype.Any.NewBuilder()
+		qp.Map(1, func(ma datamodel.MapAssembler) {
+			qp.MapEntry(ma, "foo", qp.Int(MaxInt53+1))
+		})(nb)
+		return nb.Build()
+	}
+
+	buildList := func() datamodel.Node {
+		nb := basicnode.Prototype.Any.NewBuilder()
+		qp.List(1, func(la datamodel.ListAssembler) {
+			qp.ListEntry(la, qp.Int(MinInt53-1))
+		})(nb)
+		return nb.Build()
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		input   datamodel.Node
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "valid int",
+			input:   basicnode.NewInt(42),
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "max safe int",
+			input:   basicnode.NewInt(MaxInt53),
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "min safe int",
+			input:   basicnode.NewInt(MinInt53),
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "above MaxInt53",
+			input:   basicnode.NewInt(MaxInt53 + 1),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "below MinInt53",
+			input:   basicnode.NewInt(MinInt53 - 1),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "nested map with invalid int",
+			input:   buildMap(),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "nested list with invalid int",
+			input:   buildList(),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := ValidateIntegerBoundsIPLD(tt.input)
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				require.Error(t, err)
+				require.Contains(t, err.Error(), "exceeds safe bounds")
+			} else {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/policy/literal/literal.go b/pkg/policy/literal/literal.go
index 33b0904..333ade3 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/literal/literal.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/literal/literal.go
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/fluent/qp"
 	cidlink "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/linking/cid"
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/node/basicnode"
+
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 )
 
 var Bool = basicnode.NewBool
@@ -58,8 +60,6 @@ func List[T any](l []T) (ipld.Node, error) {
 // Any creates an IPLD node from any value
 // If possible, use another dedicated function for your type for performance.
 func Any(v any) (res ipld.Node, err error) {
-	// TODO: handle uint overflow below
-
 	// some fast path
 	switch val := v.(type) {
 	case bool:
@@ -67,7 +67,11 @@ func Any(v any) (res ipld.Node, err error) {
 	case string:
 		return basicnode.NewString(val), nil
 	case int:
-		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(val)), nil
+		i := int64(val)
+		if i > limits.MaxInt53 || i < limits.MinInt53 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("integer value %d exceeds safe integer bounds", i)
+		}
+		return basicnode.NewInt(i), nil
 	case int8:
 		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(val)), nil
 	case int16:
@@ -75,6 +79,9 @@ func Any(v any) (res ipld.Node, err error) {
 	case int32:
 		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(val)), nil
 	case int64:
+		if val > limits.MaxInt53 || val < limits.MinInt53 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("integer value %d exceeds safe integer bounds", val)
+		}
 		return basicnode.NewInt(val), nil
 	case uint:
 		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(val)), nil
@@ -85,6 +92,9 @@ func Any(v any) (res ipld.Node, err error) {
 	case uint32:
 		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(val)), nil
 	case uint64:
+		if val > uint64(limits.MaxInt53) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsigned integer value %d exceeds safe integer bounds", val)
+		}
 		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(val)), nil
 	case float32:
 		return basicnode.NewFloat(float64(val)), nil
@@ -168,9 +178,17 @@ func anyAssemble(val any) qp.Assemble {
 	case reflect.Bool:
 		return qp.Bool(rv.Bool())
 	case reflect.Int, reflect.Int8, reflect.Int16, reflect.Int32, reflect.Int64:
-		return qp.Int(rv.Int())
+		i := rv.Int()
+		if i > limits.MaxInt53 || i < limits.MinInt53 {
+			panic(fmt.Sprintf("integer %d exceeds safe bounds", i))
+		}
+		return qp.Int(i)
 	case reflect.Uint, reflect.Uint8, reflect.Uint16, reflect.Uint32, reflect.Uint64:
-		return qp.Int(int64(rv.Uint()))
+		u := rv.Uint()
+		if u > limits.MaxInt53 {
+			panic(fmt.Sprintf("unsigned integer %d exceeds safe bounds", u))
+		}
+		return qp.Int(int64(u))
 	case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64:
 		return qp.Float(rv.Float())
 	case reflect.String:
diff --git a/pkg/policy/literal/literal_test.go b/pkg/policy/literal/literal_test.go
index 45d7c6c..9f7e1f2 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/literal/literal_test.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/literal/literal_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	cidlink "github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/linking/cid"
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/printer"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 )
 
 func TestList(t *testing.T) {
@@ -214,7 +216,7 @@ func TestAny(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.True(t, asLink.(cidlink.Link).Equals(cid.MustParse("bafzbeigai3eoy2ccc7ybwjfz5r3rdxqrinwi4rwytly24tdbh6yk7zslrm")))
 
-	v, err = Any(data["func"])
+	_, err = Any(data["func"])
 	require.Error(t, err)
 }
 
@@ -254,6 +256,56 @@ func BenchmarkAny(b *testing.B) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestAnyAssembleIntegerOverflow(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		input     interface{}
+		shouldErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:      "valid int",
+			input:     42,
+			shouldErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "max safe int",
+			input:     limits.MaxInt53,
+			shouldErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "min safe int",
+			input:     limits.MinInt53,
+			shouldErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "overflow int",
+			input:     int64(limits.MaxInt53 + 1),
+			shouldErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "underflow int",
+			input:     int64(limits.MinInt53 - 1),
+			shouldErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "overflow uint",
+			input:     uint64(limits.MaxInt53 + 1),
+			shouldErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := Any(tt.input)
+			if tt.shouldErr {
+				require.Error(t, err)
+			} else {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func must[T any](t T, err error) T {
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
diff --git a/pkg/policy/match.go b/pkg/policy/match.go
index 59316ed..648b877 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/match.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/match.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package policy
 import (
 	"cmp"
 	"fmt"
+	"math"
 
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime"
 	"github.com/ipld/go-ipld-prime/datamodel"
@@ -249,10 +250,22 @@ func matchStatement(cur Statement, node ipld.Node) (_ matchResult, leafMost Stat
 	panic(fmt.Errorf("unimplemented statement kind: %s", cur.Kind()))
 }
 
+// isOrdered compares two IPLD nodes and returns true if they satisfy the given ordering function.
+// It supports comparison of integers and floats, returning false for:
+//   - Nodes of different or unsupported kinds
+//   - Integer values outside JavaScript's safe integer bounds (±2^53-1)
+//   - Non-finite floating point values (NaN or ±Inf)
+//
+// The satisfies parameter is a function that interprets the comparison result:
+//   - For ">" it returns true when order is 1
+//   - For ">=" it returns true when order is 0 or 1
+//   - For "<" it returns true when order is -1
+//   - For "<=" it returns true when order is -1 or 0
 func isOrdered(expected ipld.Node, actual ipld.Node, satisfies func(order int) bool) bool {
 	if expected.Kind() == ipld.Kind_Int && actual.Kind() == ipld.Kind_Int {
 		a := must.Int(actual)
 		b := must.Int(expected)
+
 		return satisfies(cmp.Compare(a, b))
 	}
 
@@ -265,6 +278,11 @@ func isOrdered(expected ipld.Node, actual ipld.Node, satisfies func(order int) b
 		if err != nil {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("extracting selector float: %w", err))
 		}
+
+		if math.IsInf(a, 0) || math.IsNaN(a) || math.IsInf(b, 0) || math.IsNaN(b) {
+			return false
+		}
+
 		return satisfies(cmp.Compare(a, b))
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/policy/selector/parsing.go b/pkg/policy/selector/parsing.go
index 05ab092..5ccc771 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/selector/parsing.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/selector/parsing.go
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"regexp"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -56,6 +58,9 @@ func Parse(str string) (Selector, error) {
 				if err != nil {
 					return nil, newParseError("invalid index", str, col, tok)
 				}
+				if idx > limits.MaxInt53 || idx < limits.MinInt53 {
+					return nil, newParseError(fmt.Sprintf("index %d exceeds safe integer bounds", idx), str, col, tok)
+				}
 				sel = append(sel, segment{str: tok, optional: opt, index: idx})
 
 			// explicit field, ["abcd"]
@@ -77,6 +82,9 @@ func Parse(str string) (Selector, error) {
 					if err != nil {
 						return nil, newParseError("invalid slice index", str, col, tok)
 					}
+					if i > limits.MaxInt53 || i < limits.MinInt53 {
+						return nil, newParseError(fmt.Sprintf("slice index %d exceeds safe integer bounds", i), str, col, tok)
+					}
 					rng[0] = i
 				}
 				if splt[1] == "" {
@@ -86,6 +94,9 @@ func Parse(str string) (Selector, error) {
 					if err != nil {
 						return nil, newParseError("invalid slice index", str, col, tok)
 					}
+					if i > limits.MaxInt53 || i < limits.MinInt53 {
+						return nil, newParseError(fmt.Sprintf("slice index %d exceeds safe integer bounds", i), str, col, tok)
+					}
 					rng[1] = i
 				}
 				sel = append(sel, segment{str: tok, optional: opt, slice: rng[:]})
diff --git a/pkg/policy/selector/parsing_test.go b/pkg/policy/selector/parsing_test.go
index b84ad52..2810227 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/selector/parsing_test.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/selector/parsing_test.go
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 package selector
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"math"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 )
 
 func TestParse(t *testing.T) {
@@ -572,4 +574,23 @@ func TestParse(t *testing.T) {
 		_, err := Parse(".[foo]")
 		require.Error(t, err)
 	})
+
+	t.Run("integer overflow", func(t *testing.T) {
+		sel, err := Parse(fmt.Sprintf(".[%d]", limits.MaxInt53+1))
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, sel)
+
+		sel, err = Parse(fmt.Sprintf(".[%d]", limits.MinInt53-1))
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, sel)
+
+		// Test slice overflow
+		sel, err = Parse(fmt.Sprintf(".[%d:42]", limits.MaxInt53+1))
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, sel)
+
+		sel, err = Parse(fmt.Sprintf(".[1:%d]", limits.MaxInt53+1))
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Nil(t, sel)
+	})
 }
diff --git a/pkg/policy/selector/selector.go b/pkg/policy/selector/selector.go
index 149078d..249cd44 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/selector/selector.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/selector/selector.go
@@ -266,19 +266,32 @@ func resolveSliceIndices(slice []int64, length int64) (start int64, end int64) {
 	case slice[0] == math.MinInt:
 		start = 0
 	case slice[0] < 0:
-		start = length + slice[0]
+		// Check for potential overflow before adding
+		if -slice[0] > length {
+			start = 0
+		} else {
+			start = length + slice[0]
+		}
 	}
+
 	switch {
 	case slice[1] == math.MaxInt:
 		end = length
 	case slice[1] < 0:
-		end = length + slice[1]
+		// Check for potential overflow before adding
+		if -slice[1] > length {
+			end = 0
+		} else {
+			end = length + slice[1]
+		}
 	}
 
 	// backward iteration is not allowed, shortcut to an empty result
 	if start >= end {
 		start, end = 0, 0
+		return
 	}
+
 	// clamp out of bound
 	if start < 0 {
 		start = 0
@@ -286,11 +299,14 @@ func resolveSliceIndices(slice []int64, length int64) (start int64, end int64) {
 	if start > length {
 		start = length
 	}
+	if end < 0 {
+		end = 0
+	}
 	if end > length {
 		end = length
 	}
 
-	return start, end
+	return
 }
 
 func kindString(n datamodel.Node) string {
diff --git a/pkg/policy/selector/selector_test.go b/pkg/policy/selector/selector_test.go
index 184b7b3..fdd18ec 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/selector/selector_test.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/selector/selector_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package selector
 
 import (
 	"errors"
+	"math"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -356,3 +357,57 @@ func FuzzParseAndSelect(f *testing.F) {
 		}
 	})
 }
+
+func TestResolveSliceIndices(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		slice     []int64
+		length    int64
+		wantStart int64
+		wantEnd   int64
+	}{
+		{
+			name:      "normal case",
+			slice:     []int64{1, 3},
+			length:    5,
+			wantStart: 1,
+			wantEnd:   3,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "negative indices",
+			slice:     []int64{-2, -1},
+			length:    5,
+			wantStart: 3,
+			wantEnd:   4,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "overflow protection negative start",
+			slice:     []int64{math.MinInt64, 3},
+			length:    5,
+			wantStart: 0,
+			wantEnd:   3,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "overflow protection negative end",
+			slice:     []int64{0, math.MinInt64},
+			length:    5,
+			wantStart: 0,
+			wantEnd:   0,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "max bounds",
+			slice:     []int64{0, math.MaxInt64},
+			length:    5,
+			wantStart: 0,
+			wantEnd:   5,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			start, end := resolveSliceIndices(tt.slice, tt.length)
+			require.Equal(t, tt.wantStart, start)
+			require.Equal(t, tt.wantEnd, end)
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/token/delegation/delegation.go b/token/delegation/delegation.go
index 959a40a..110b8e1 100644
--- a/token/delegation/delegation.go
+++ b/token/delegation/delegation.go
@@ -215,8 +215,15 @@ func tokenFromModel(m tokenPayloadModel) (*Token, error) {
 
 	tkn.meta = m.Meta
 
-	tkn.notBefore = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Nbf)
-	tkn.expiration = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Exp)
+	tkn.notBefore, err = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Nbf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse notBefore: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	tkn.expiration, err = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Exp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse expiration: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	if err := tkn.validate(); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/token/internal/parse/parse.go b/token/internal/parse/parse.go
index 147b308..27af240 100644
--- a/token/internal/parse/parse.go
+++ b/token/internal/parse/parse.go
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 package parse
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/did"
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
 )
 
 func OptionalDID(s *string) (did.DID, error) {
@@ -13,10 +15,15 @@ func OptionalDID(s *string) (did.DID, error) {
 	return did.Parse(*s)
 }
 
-func OptionalTimestamp(sec *int64) *time.Time {
+func OptionalTimestamp(sec *int64) (*time.Time, error) {
 	if sec == nil {
-		return nil
+		return nil, nil
 	}
+
+	if *sec > limits.MaxInt53 || *sec < limits.MinInt53 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("timestamp value %d exceeds safe integer bounds", *sec)
+	}
+
 	t := time.Unix(*sec, 0)
-	return &t
+	return &t, nil
 }
diff --git a/token/internal/parse/parse_test.go b/token/internal/parse/parse_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9db6474
--- /dev/null
+++ b/token/internal/parse/parse_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+package parse
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/ucan-wg/go-ucan/pkg/policy/limits"
+)
+
+func TestOptionalTimestamp(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		input   *int64
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "nil timestamp",
+			input:   nil,
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "valid timestamp",
+			input:   int64Ptr(1625097600),
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "max safe integer",
+			input:   int64Ptr(limits.MaxInt53),
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "exceeds max safe integer",
+			input:   int64Ptr(limits.MaxInt53 + 1),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "below min safe integer",
+			input:   int64Ptr(limits.MinInt53 - 1),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			result, err := OptionalTimestamp(tt.input)
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				require.Error(t, err)
+				require.Contains(t, err.Error(), "exceeds safe integer bounds")
+				require.Nil(t, result)
+			} else {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				if tt.input == nil {
+					require.Nil(t, result)
+				} else {
+					require.NotNil(t, result)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func int64Ptr(i int64) *int64 {
+	return &i
+}
diff --git a/token/invocation/invocation.go b/token/invocation/invocation.go
index ee85a94..4ab7b8b 100644
--- a/token/invocation/invocation.go
+++ b/token/invocation/invocation.go
@@ -272,11 +272,22 @@ func tokenFromModel(m tokenPayloadModel) (*Token, error) {
 	tkn.nonce = m.Nonce
 
 	tkn.arguments = m.Args
+	if err := tkn.arguments.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid arguments: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	tkn.proof = m.Prf
 	tkn.meta = m.Meta
 
-	tkn.expiration = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Exp)
-	tkn.invokedAt = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Iat)
+	tkn.expiration, err = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Exp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse expiration: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	tkn.invokedAt, err = parse.OptionalTimestamp(m.Iat)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse invokedAt: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	tkn.cause = m.Cause