Share this article

Capital One Seeks Blockchain Patent for 'Collaborative' Authentication Tool

In a patent filing released Thursday, Capital One set out a blockchain system its says allows secure user authentication across multiple platforms.

Updated Sep 13, 2021, 8:17 a.m. Published Aug 17, 2018, 12:30 p.m.
"Unlike many other markets, cryptocurrencies trade 24/7, thereby requiring traders to make decisions at all times throughout the day," Capital One wrote in its filing. (Shutterstock)
"Unlike many other markets, cryptocurrencies trade 24/7, thereby requiring traders to make decisions at all times throughout the day," Capital One wrote in its filing. (Shutterstock)

U.S. banking giant Capital One is working on using blockchain technology to usher in more convenient and secure user authentication methods for instances such as banking security.

In a continuation of a patent application submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in June 2017, Capital One sets out a blockchain system that will receive, store and retrieve encrypted user authentication data, according to a filing released Thursday.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters

The proposed idea is described as "a distributed, non-reputable record of authentication interactions" that allows users to authenticate themselves across multiple platforms, but limits how much personal information is shared between them.

In effect, the method retrieves identification data on a user when they commence the authentication process (assuming the user has a profile set up). The system will authenticate or reject the user based on the received authentication information, but the user data itself is kept securely on the blockchain.

The claimed invention is said to potentially reduce "time and resource burdens" for institutions when on-boarding new clientele. Furthermore, the filing adds, it would be a boon for users that may "resent" having to repeatedly authenticate themselves as they move between different institutions.

Thus, Capital One says, both institutions and clients "may therefore benefit from a collaborative authentication system that handles authentication interactions for multiple institutions."

One business-focused use case for the invention is stated as fulfilling "statutory or regulatory requirements, such as 'Know Your Customer' requirements," which most financial institutions around the world are legally mandated to abide by to reduce the risk of money laundering.

Capital One image via Shutterstock

More For You

KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

16:9 Image

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

  • KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
  • This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
  • Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
  • Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
  • Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.

More For You

Here are the winners and losers (so far) in bitcoin mining from Nvidia's $2B CoreWeave investment

Racks of mining machines.

Nvidia’s deepened partnership with CoreWeave raises pressure on bitcoin miners pivoting to AI infrastructure.

What to know:

  • Shares of most bitcoin miners who have shifted business plans to AI infrastructure fell after Nvidia announced a fresh $2 billion investment in CoreWeave.
  • One analyst says Nvidia’s deepening partnership with CoreWeave could divert GPU access and funding away from independent miners trying to pivot into AI and high-performance computing.
  • Core Scientific, which CoreWeave attempted, but failed, to acquire in 2025, is the only miner posting gains on Monday.