Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: storing an encryption public key that is associated with a group of nodes, each node in the group associated with a private key share, the private key shares associated with a threshold private key reconstruction scheme for the group to allow an encryption private key associated with the encryption public key to be determined from at least a threshold of the private key shares; iteratively obtaining a plurality of indicators provided by a plurality of nodes of the group, each of the indicators representing one of an encryption private key share or a dummy signal; and identifying the encryption private key by iteratively: i) selecting a subset of the indicators; ii) calculating a possible shared secret; and iii) evaluating each possible shared secret against the encryption public key to determine whether the possible shared secret is the encryption private key. The invention is suited for implementation on a blockchain.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide enhanced security solutions which are enforced through the use of cryptographic techniques. It is suited for, but not limited to, use with blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin blockchain. Methods and devices for generating an elliptic curve digital signature algorithm signature (r, w) are described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for generating a encryption public key on a blockchain network and enabling access to a corresponding encryption private key after a specified time period. The method comprising constructing a digital time-lock contract between an agent and a client on the blockchain network, the agent having an agent address on the blockchain network and an associated agent signature, and the client having a client address on the blockchain network and an associated client signature. The digital time-lock contract specifies that the agent holds the encryption private key corresponding to the encryption public key on the blockchain network and then releases the encryption private key to the blockchain network within a specified time window.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain network such as, for example, the Bitcoin network.