Blockchain identity safe and authentication system

A method for authenticating a user logging into an online service provider, comprising the steps of:

• the online service provider sending an authorization request for user identity data stored in an identity safe on a blockchain ledger;
• the online service provider receiving user identity data, retrieved from the identity safe on the blockchain ledger, that has been encrypted and signed with a private/public key pair of the user, whereby the private key is securely maintained by the user;
• and
• the online service provider verifying the signature and decrypting the user identity data with the user's private/public key pair, thereby permitting the online service provider to authenticate the user.

A method for paying an online service provider, comprising the steps of:

• the online service provider sending an authorization request for user identity and payment data stored in an identity safe on a blockchain ledger;
• the online service provider receiving user identity and payment data, retrieved from the identity safe on the blockchain ledger, that has been encrypted and signed with a private/public key pair of the user, whereby the private key is maintained by the user;
• the online service provider verifying the signature and decrypting the user identity and payment data with the user's private/public key pair to authenticate the user and form of payment;
• and
• the online service provider completing the payment.

A method for authenticating a user logging into an online service provider, comprising the steps of:

• an identity safe service provider receiving from the online service provider an authorization request for user identity data stored in an identity safe on a blockchain ledger;
• the identity safe service provider retrieving from the identity safe on the blockchain ledger user identity data that has been encrypted and signed with a private/public key pair of the user, whereby the private key is maintained by the user;
• and
• the identity safe service provider sending the signed, encrypted user identity data to the online service provider, the signature to be verified and the user identity data to be decrypted with the user's private/public key pair to permit the online service provider to authenticate the user.

A method for paying an online service provider, comprising the steps of:

• an identity safe service provider receiving from the online service provider an authorization request for user identity and payment data stored in an identity safe on a blockchain ledger;
• the identity safe service provider retrieving from the identity safe on the blockchain ledger user identity and payment data that has been encrypted and signed with a private/public key pair of the user, whereby the private key is maintained by the user;
• and
• the identity safe service provider sending the signed, encrypted user identity and payment data to the online service provider, the signature to be verified and the user identity and payment data to be decrypted with the user's private/public key pair, to permit the online service provider to authenticate the user and form of payment and complete the payment.