Systems and techniques for a physical access control systems with localization-based intent detection are described herein. In an example, an access control system may regulate access to an asset. The access control system is adapted to receive a credential for the asset from a key device associated with a user using a first wireless connection. The access control system may be further adapted to store the credential in a cache of memory. The access control system may be further adapted to establish a second wireless connection with the key device. The access control system may be further adapted to request a validation of the credential from an authorization service in response to establishing the second wireless connection with the key device. The access control system may receive a validation token from the authorization service. The access control system may be further adapted to store the validation token in the cache.