USPTO granted patent US12591891B2 to Black Gold Coin, Inc. for a personal identification and verification protocol for cryptocurrency-based electronic money transactions. The invention—called a 'legal identity-linked credential authentication protocol'—provides a system for monitoring and restricting cryptocurrency transactions while addressing KYC and AML requirements and maintaining user privacy. The patent includes 8 claims and was granted as Kind B2.

This patent grant does not impose direct compliance obligations on regulated entities. However, it may be relevant to compliance technology vendors developing KYC/AML solutions for cryptocurrency platforms, financial institutions offering digital asset services, and RegTech companies. Patent grants can influence the competitive landscape for compliance tools and may affect future enforcement approaches to identity verification in crypto markets. The filing date was May 17, 2022, with application number 17663765.