Systems and methods for cryptographic authentication of contactless cards

A system for card activation, comprising:

• a contactless card comprising a card substrate, a card processor, and a card memory,
• wherein the contactless card:
• generates card data,
• encrypts the card data to yield encrypted card data, and
• transmits, after entry into a contactless communication field, the encrypted card data to a user device for communication to a server;
• and
• the server, comprising a server processor and a server memory,
• wherein the server:
• receives the encrypted card data,
• decrypts the encrypted card data to yield the card data,
• compares the card data to record data,
• activates, upon a successful comparison, the contactless card, and
• transmits a return message based on the activation of the contactless card, and
• wherein the contactless card discontinues the generation of card data after activation by the server.

A system for card activation, comprising:

• a server, comprising a processor and a memory,
• wherein the server:
• receives encrypted card data,
• decrypts the encrypted card data to yield the card data,
• compares the card data to record data,
• activates, upon a successful comparison, a contactless card, and
• transmits a return message based on the activation of the contactless card, wherein the return message prompts the contactless card to discontinue the generation of card data.

A contactless card, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory,
• wherein the contactless card:
• generates card data,
• encrypts the card data to yield encrypted card data,
• transmits, after entry into a near field communication range, the encrypted card data to a client device for authentication by a server, and
• discontinues the generation of card data after activation by the server.