Blockchain Privacy Transaction Protocol Using UTXO Merkle Tree Data Structures
Summary
The USPTO published patent application US20260111876A1, filed by inventors Shihang YU, Ruxin HOU, Wei Ming ZHUANG, Yuan LI, and Shiqian ZHONG on April 23, 2026, disclosing a blockchain privacy transaction protocol using paired UTXO Merkle tree data structures with zero-knowledge proof-based authentication nullifiers and public-private key pairs. The invention describes storing transaction amounts as UTXOs in a first Merkle tree and confirming ownership via private tokens before moving UTXOs to a second Merkle tree for redemption, enhancing computational privacy in distributed ledger transactions. The application was originally filed on December 18, 2025 under application number 19425253.
“An improved computational privacy based approach is proposed to allow for a blockchain privacy enabled transaction protocol for processing distributed ledger transactions of a specially configured blockchain smart contract, the approach describing a cryptographic process, along with a corresponding apparatus and computer program products using a pair of specialized UTXO merkle tree data structures, authentication nullifiers based on zero-knowledge proofs and sets of public-private key pairs.”
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GovPing monitors USPTO Patent Applications - Business Methods (G06Q) for new banking & finance regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 33 changes logged to date.
What changed
The USPTO published patent application US20260111876A1 disclosing a blockchain privacy transaction protocol for distributed ledger systems. The invention employs two specialized UTXO Merkle tree data structures: a first tree receives and stores transaction amounts as UTXOs, while a second tree holds UTXOs after redemption. Ownership confirmation uses private tokens over UTXOs in the first tree, with authentication nullifiers based on zero-knowledge proofs and sets of public-private key pairs. The protocol is implemented via a specially configured blockchain smart contract.
Technology companies developing blockchain, distributed ledger, or cryptocurrency systems should monitor this application as it may signal USPTO's willingness to grant patents covering privacy-preserving transaction mechanisms using cryptographic proofs. Competitors in the blockchain payments space should review their own IP portfolios for potential overlap with the claimed UTXO Merkle tree and zero-knowledge proof combination.
Archived snapshot
Apr 25, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BLOCKCHAIN DISTRIBUTED LEDGER-BASED TRANSACTIONS USING UTXO MERKLE TREE DATA STRUCTURES
Application US20260111876A1 Kind: A1 Apr 23, 2026
Inventors
Shihang YU, Ruxin HOU, Wei Ming ZHUANG, Yuan LI, Shiqian ZHONG
Abstract
An improved computational privacy based approach is proposed to allow for a blockchain privacy enabled transaction protocol for processing distributed ledger transactions of a specially configured blockchain smart contract, the approach describing a cryptographic process, along with a corresponding apparatus and computer program products using a pair of specialized UTXO merkle tree data structures, authentication nullifiers based on zero-knowledge proofs and sets of public-private key pairs. The process includes storing a transaction amount as UTXOs into a first merkle tree data structure and confirming the transaction by claiming ownership using private tokens over the UTXOs in the first merkle tree data structure and moving the UTXOs to a second merkle tree data structure for redemption.
CPC Classifications
G06Q 20/367 G06Q 20/389
Filing Date
2025-12-18
Application No.
19425253
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