SEALSQ Expands Protection of Luxury and Valuable Assets with Patented Advanced Digital Certification and NFT Technology

Geneva, Switzerland , April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

SEALSQ and WISeKey have a rich portfolio of over 46 patent families encompassing more than 100 fundamental individual US & Swiss patents with an additional 22 patents currently under review

SEALSQ Corp ("SEALSQ" or "Company") (NASDAQ: LAES), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, in collaboration with its parent company WISeKey International Holding Ltd. (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions operating as a holding company, today announced its patented integration of Digital Identification with NFT technology, a groundbreaking solution in the realm of asset protection. This innovation builds on the Company’s already extensive experience in securing luxury items, particularly Swiss watches, through advanced technology.

This integration of Digital Identification with NFT technology is poised to transform the verification of ownership for valuable assets. Through this approach, assets such as luxury watches or renowned artworks that require authentication can now utilize NFTs to demonstrate ownership. These digital assets contain digitally signed information that is easily verifiable, significantly enhancing security and making duplication virtually impossible.

As the NFT market experiences exponential growth, driven by the need to combat fraud and forgery not only in the art world but across various industries, WISeKey and SEALSQ’s technology offers a robust, non-cloneable digital certificate of authenticity that is proving essential.

The Company’s method for the digital certification of authenticity of physical objects involves a sophisticated process. This includes issuing a storage device with a digital certificate containing encrypted information unique to the object. The validity of this certificate can be checked in real-time via a network computer cooperating with the storage device and a certifying authority, ensuring the highest level of security and trust.

WISeKey and SEALSQ are committed to advancing security solutions that meet the evolving needs of a digital and physically interconnected world, safeguarding the value and integrity of priceless assets across the globe.

Utilization
NFTs are distinctive digital assets that symbolize ownership or proof of authenticity of a unique item, using the revolutionary blockchain technology now gaining monumental traction in the art and collectibles domain. Unlike fungible cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, NFTs are non-fungible, signifying each token's distinctness and non-interchangeable nature. Beyond digital art and collectibles, NFTs have vast potential, and can be used to tokenize assets ranging from digital artwork, music, videos, virtual real estate, in-game virtual goods, and domain names, as well as tangible assets such as real estate and luxury goods. 

Ensuring the distinctiveness, origin, and permanence of NFTs, blockchain technology embeds each token with a unique identifier and ownership details, ensuring easy verification and nullifying unauthorized duplications or alterations. Capitalizing on this, WISeKey provides a seamless bridge between luxury items and the digital metaverse. Luxury brands, without the need for a physical product, can now create unalterably registered NFTs on a blockchain, a move aligned with the digital preferences of the younger generation.

Notably, SEALSQ’s VaultIC155 NFC secure element can be integrated into luxury items, enabling secure authentication when accessed by an NFC device. Furthermore, the technology grants brands the prowess to issue, validate, and adjust digital certificates of authenticity, fortifying against counterfeiting.

These capabilities empower brands to:

• Issue storage devices with a digital certificate of authenticity.
• Verify the authenticity of the digital certificate as needed.
• Update the status of the digital certificate's validity when necessary.
• Initiate the dematerialization of a product and its Digital Twin transformation into a corresponding NFT.

These tags, akin to an embedded ePassport, can be affixed to any product. When tapped by an NFC-enabled phone, they securely authenticate and trace the item, registering its identity on the blockchain ledger. This innovative approach is patented in the US by WISeKey.

Introduction of the Product Birth Certificate
WISeKey offers a groundbreaking concept: the Product Birth Certificate. This digital identifier is comparable to a product's birth certificate, complete with details such as its manufacturing date and company. By transitioning into a "Trusted Object" on the Internet, it equips the luxury product with a robust digital identity, furnishing verifiable data throughout its lifecycle.

The essence of this Product Birth Certificate lies in its unique cryptographic key pair. While its public key is shared openly as part of the certificate, the private key operates in the background to validate the IoT device's identity and guarantee data's cryptographic integrity. This private key is the very crux of the IoT device's identity.

Patents
SEALSQ, together with WISeKey, boasts a rich portfolio of over 46 patent families encompassing more than 100 fundamental individual patents, with an additional 22 patents currently under review. These patents cover a diverse range of technologies, including secure chip design, Near Field Communication (NFC), security firmware and backend software development, secure data management, enhancement of security protocols among connected objects, and advanced cryptography.

For additional details on WISeKey's patented technologies and innovations, please refer to the following patent resources:

• US Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8954742B2/en?assignee=wisekey&oq=wisekey
• Swiss Patent: https://database.ipi.ch/database-client/register/detail/patent/1202306542?lang=en

The Company’s patented technology already provides security solutions for millions of objects worldwide, including luxury products like jewelry, collector’s items, high-end watches, and art pieces. With the integration of Non-Fungible Token (NFT) applications powered by Digital Identification technology, SEALSQ and WISeKey, are setting new standards in securing, authenticating, and proving ownership of both digital and tangible assets.

About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, and (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions.

Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

About SEALSQ
SEALSQ is at the forefront of technological innovation in digital security and semiconductor technology. With a focus on developing solutions that address the challenges of the post-quantum era, SEALSQ is committed to ensuring the security and integrity of digital interactions and transactions across various industries.

SEALSQ focuses on selling integrated solutions based on Semiconductors, PKI and Provisioning services, while developing Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products. Our solutions can be used in a variety of applications, from Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Smart Home Appliances, and IT Network Infrastructure, to Automotive, Industrial Automation and Control Systems.

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic methods that are secure against an attack by a quantum computer. As quantum computers become more powerful, they may be able to break many of the cryptographic methods that are currently used to protect sensitive information, such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). PQC aims to develop new cryptographic methods that are secure against quantum attacks.

For more information, please visit www.sealsq.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipates will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the success and timeline of SEALCOIN's launch; the timeline for and the successful release of the Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Proof of Concept (PoC); SEAL’s token Issuance and Exchange Listing before the end of 2024; SEALSQ's ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ's filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC.

SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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