Tangem Receives US Patent for Private Key Backup Technology

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Tangem a patent for its private key backup technology. This patent, issued on January 28, recognizes Tangem's secure method for transferring private keys via untrusted devices.

Key Features of the Patented Technology

The patent is titled “Systems and methods for transferring secret data via an untrusted intermediary device.”
The technology enables secure transfers between Tangem's hardware wallets and smartphones.
It allows users to avoid managing private keys directly by creating backup authentication devices.
Features include a seedless backup process and trustless intermediary transfer.
Private keys can be transmitted securely between trusted devices, even using untrusted intermediaries.

Tangem’s Chief Technology Officer Andrey Lazutkin emphasized that the system's encryption prevents key interception, regardless of the intermediary device used.

Community Reactions and Challenges

Private key backup solutions have faced skepticism within the crypto community.
In 2023, Ledger faced backlash over a cloud-based recovery system viewed as a security risk.
Tangem experienced criticism in 2024 after a mobile app issue exposed user private keys via email.
The debate around entrusting private keys remains contentious among crypto users.

Tangem aims to enhance crypto adoption with its patented technology, addressing the ongoing concerns surrounding private key management.