DuoKey

Swiss fintech bank · Banking · Digital assets

Blockchain transactions signed without a complete key ever existing.

A leading Swiss fintech bank secures its blockchain transactions with DuoKey MPC: signing keys are split into shares, and a transaction is signed only when policy and approvers agree.

The problem

On a blockchain, a signed transaction is final. A stolen private key or a single rogue operator can move client assets, and nothing reverses it. Single HSM keys and manual approvals do not keep pace with transaction volume and approval rules.

How DuoKey helps

DuoKey Multi-Party Computation splits each signing key into shares held in separate environments. The complete key never exists, not even while signing. Approval policies are checked before every signature, and each signature leaves an audit record.

How it works

Step by step, where the keys go

Transfer requestAWAITING POLICY2.5 BTC → bc1q…9f2kPolicyBEFORE SIGNINGAmount within limitAddress whitelistedApprovals 2 of 3APPROVERS2 / 3 ✓Full key never assembledASite 1BSite 2CSite 3σBLOCKCHAINσ · tx
  1. 01 / 04

    A transfer is requested

    A client or treasury system submits a blockchain transfer. Nothing is signed yet.

  2. 02 / 04

    Policy and approvers decide

    Amount limits, whitelisted addresses and a 2-of-3 approval quorum are checked before any key material is used.

  3. 03 / 04

    Key shares sign together

    Three MPC key shares in separate sites compute the signature jointly. The full private key is never assembled, not even in memory.

  4. 04 / 04

    The transaction reaches the chain

    The signed transaction is broadcast and recorded on chain, with an audit record that ties the signature to its policy and approvers.

Security leadership

The questions this programme had to answer

What changed

How DuoKey secures the bank's blockchain transactions

  • MPC

    No complete private key, ever

    Key shares sign together. There is no single key to steal, copy or lose.

  • Policy

    Rules checked before every signature

    Amounts, destinations and approvers are verified before a transaction is signed.

  • Quorum

    No single person can move assets

    A threshold of approvals is required, so one compromised account is not enough.

  • Audit

    A record for auditors and the supervisor

    Each signature is tied to its policy decision and approvers.

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