1. Core technology background of BSIM cards

A BSIM (Blockchain SIM) card is a blockchain innovation product jointly developed by China Telecom Research Institute and the Shanghai Shuju Blockchain Research Institute. It was first released in Shanghai on May 16, 2023.

The card looks no different from a standard SIM card, but its storage capacity has been expanded by 10 to 20 times, and its computing capability has increased by tens of times.

“The private key is generated inside the chip, the chip signs inside, and the private key never leaves the card” is the core design of a BSIM card. By leveraging hardware security protection technology, the card generates and stores the user’s public and private keys within the card, and performs digital signatures in a way that keeps the private key from leaving the card. This significantly reduces the risk of attacks by mobile trojans, viruses, and other malicious software.

II. Integration of quantum-safe security technologies

“Quantum-secure chips” and “quantum keys” are important upgrades at the security layer of BSIM cards. With technological advances, quantum encryption has been introduced: companies such as Eastcom Peace and others have combined quantum encryption technology with BSIM cards, extending key cracking time to more than 100 million years, and enabling resilience against quantum computing threats.

This end-to-end encryption capability of “one call, one key” greatly enhances the level of communication security.

III. Application scenarios and deployment progress

When it was released in 2023, Li Anmin, Deputy Director of the China Telecom Research Institute, stated that they would push for the deployment of BSIM cards in Hunan, Hong Kong, and other places, and carry out applications for scenarios such as metaverse digital assets, digital identity authentication, and IoT device data collection.

Digital identity authentication

Real-name registration with mobile phone numbers enables the binding of digital identity to real identity, and can provide real-name verification for Web3.0 / blockchain accounts that meet regulatory requirements

Digital asset management

Built-in encrypted wallet for secure storage of digital assets, balancing real-name requirements and privacy protection

Cross-border payments and stablecoins

Supports holding Hong Kong dollar stablecoins and real-time settlement. It has already piloted SIM card wallets with Postal Savings Bank of China and Bank of Communications in six cities

IoT terminals

Provide digital identity authentication and secure control for drones and IoT devices

In Hong Kong, BSIM cards have already passed compliance certification under the (Stablecoin Issuer Ordinance), becoming the hardware carrier for offshore Renminbi stablecoins (AXCNH).

IV. Significance of industry exemplars

“The first large-scale deployment case in the insurance brokerage sector” is of significant value. As a Web3.0 hardware security entry point, BSIM cards can provide an end-to-end integrated solution for industries with high trust needs such as insurance brokers—enabling trusted data exchange, identity authentication, and privacy protection. It also meets the closed-loop, end-to-end requirements of a digital trust system: identity trustworthy, rules trustworthy, process trustworthy, and results trustworthy.

V. In short

This “digital card” integrating blockchain BSIM and quantum-secure chips is a deeply evolved version of the BSIM technology roadmap.

Its core advantages are:

Hardware-level security

Private keys never leave the card + quantum encryption, a dual hardware security foundation

Compliance and privacy both addressed

Achieve compliant supervision through real-name registration with a mobile phone number, while protecting users’ privacy

All-in-one, easy to推广

No need to change your phone. You can办理 everything in one stop at a China Telecom business hall

The deployment by Hunan Telecom marks a key step for BSIM technology in moving from prototype verification to large-scale commercial applications.

Source of materials: official media / online news. Content is for reference, learning, and交流 only. Please strictly comply with local laws and regulations. This article does not represent any investment advice.