Blockchain systems and methods for user authentication

An authentication system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory containing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the authentication system to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a request from a root system to publish a root system block generated by the root system for a user, the root system:
• being a first member system with access to a private blockchain, the blockchain:
• comprising blocks;
• having miners;
• and
• satisfying a proof-of-work condition;
• being distinct from the user, the root system block comprising:
• index information identifying the user;
• root information;
• and
• an authentication record;
• publishing the root system block to the private blockchain;
• receiving an authentication request for the user;
• determining that the private blockchain comprises at least one root system block for the user;
• and
• providing, in response to the authentication request, the root information to a second member system that is distinct from the root system and the user.

An authentication method comprising:

• receiving, by an authentication system from a root system, a request to publish a root system block generated by the root system for a user to a private blockchain, the root system:
• being a first member system with access to the private blockchain, the private blockchain, the blockchain:
• comprising blocks;
• having miners;
• and
• satisfying a proof-of-work condition;
• being distinct from the user, the root system block comprising:
• index information identifying the user;
• root information identifying the root system;
• and
• an authentication record;
• publishing, by the authentication system, the root system block for the user to the private blockchain;
• receiving, by the authentication system from a second member system with access to the blockchain, a request for the root information for the user, the second member system being distinct from the root system and the user;
• providing the root information to the second member system;
• providing, from the root system, a root system secret;
• and
• receiving, from a database, identification data using the root system secret.