Share this article
Microsoft Looks to Trusted Computing for Blockchain Security Boost
The phrase "trusted execution environment" is identified in two Microsoft patent applications to be a key component in future blockchain projects.
Updated Sep 13, 2021, 8:16 a.m. Published Aug 13, 2018, 2:00 a.m.
Make us preferred on Google
Two newly published patent applications from Microsoft suggest that the software giant is looking at the use of trusted execution environments, or TEEs, within its blockchain offerings.
According to information gathered from two filings published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Thursday, a TEE is specified to store "a pre-determined type of blockchain or other security protocol code" in a "validation node."
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
With this kind of data, a "TEE attestation" is able to verify participants of the system who possess matching information held within the node. In blockchain, a node is simply a point of connection able to receive, store and send data within the network.
And how all this might prove to be useful is explained in two ways.
, a TEE may assist in the establishment of a "consortium blockchain network." By setting up the first node of the blockchain to store "a pre-determined membership list" among other pieces of information, a TEE attestation could be used to securely onboard members of the "consortium network."
, a TEE may also assist in verifying blockchain transactions on a similar network in which multiple pre-authorized entities must interact. For example, using this process of attestation through programmed TEEs once more, certain encrypted transactions on the network could be processed and confirmed "directly" to the official state of the blockchain without any need for decryption.
The patent reads:
"In some examples, the entire network accepts the transactions, including chaincode transactions, and blockchain states are directly updated. In some examples, there is no need for a copy of the transaction in order to confirm a block."
Aside from these two use cases, both applications also give mention to the process of TEE attestation in context of a "Confidential Consortium (COCO) Blockchain framework" which would potentially allow more complex systems of verification requiring the consensus of a multiplicity of validation nodes.
While these filings were submitted by the licensing arm of the company as early back as June of last year, Microsoft has since began offering blockchain applications through its Azure platform. This month, it was announced Microsoft has updated additional features to the product specifically for clients working off of public blockchains such as ethereum.
Tee image via Shutterstock
More For You
Pudgy Penguins is building a multi-vertical consumer IP platform — combining phygital products, games, NFTs and PENGU to monetize culture at scale.
What to know:
Pudgy Penguins is emerging as one of the strongest NFT-native brands of this cycle, shifting from speculative “digital luxury goods” into a multi-vertical consumer IP platform. Its strategy is to acquire users through mainstream channels first; toys, retail partnerships and viral media, then onboard them into Web3 through games, NFTs and the PENGU token.
The ecosystem now spans phygital products (> $13M retail sales and >1M units sold), games and experiences (Pudgy Party surpassed 500k downloads in two weeks), and a widely distributed token (airdropped to 6M+ wallets). While the market is currently pricing Pudgy at a premium relative to traditional IP peers, sustained success depends on execution across retail expansion, gaming adoption and deeper token utility.
More For You
BNB rises 2.5%, nears $900 mark as prediction market growth signals utility expansion
A new physically backed BNB exchange-traded product launched on Nasdaq Stockholm, adding to existing investment options.
What to know:
- BNB token climbed 2.5% to $89e, approaching the $900 resistance level, with increased trading volume suggesting fresh buying interest.
- A new physically backed BNB exchange-traded product launched on Nasdaq Stockholm, adding to existing investment options like Grayscale's pending ETF filing.
- BNB Chain saw significant growth in prediction markets, with platforms like Opinion Labs logging over $700 million in 7-day trading volume and cumulative trading volumes crossing $20 billion.
Top Stories
