Finally, Amazon acquires a patent for its cryptographic system which it filed way back in 2016. This system will incorporate the proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm. The patent plea was approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on the 14th of May. The document says one can generate the Merkle trees as a solution to a proof-of-work challenge.

Proof-of-work is an algorithm which usually protects a network. Its function involves using computing to solve complex problems. Even Bitcoin blockchain network makes use of the PoW. As per the Abstract of the patent, the system will involve two parties. One will be the client requesting access to computing resources. The second one will be the service provider which will determine the challenge and generate a solution. The challenge will consist of a message and a seed. The seed will derive info which will contribute in providing a solution.

The patent document has mention of the terms like cryptographic key and digital signatures etc. There is, of course, no direct reference to blockchain and cryptocurrencies. However, this clearly induces that the tech giant is taking a major step into the blockchain domain.