Electronic payment system

Abstract

This electronic payment system includes: a crypto-asset issuing unit that issues crypto-assets having a value equivalent to assets in goods; and an electronic payment unit that executes a payment based on the crypto-assets.

Description

Electronic payment system

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic payment systems.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic payment system in which "there is no need to purchase or exchange cryptocurrency in advance each time, and virtual currency can be freely used for electronic payments within a given limit using cryptocurrency as collateral (summary excerpt)."

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-140376

[0004] In order for electronic payments using cryptocurrencies to become widespread, it is desirable for the value of cryptocurrencies to be stable, but the reality is that the value of cryptocurrencies fluctuates depending on the demand for cryptocurrencies and the amount of cryptocurrencies issued. However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the stability of the asset value of cryptocurrencies, and issues remain.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an electronic payment system that can further stabilize the asset value of cryptocurrency.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an electronic payment system characterized by including a crypto asset issuing unit that issues crypto assets having a value equivalent to physical assets, and an electronic payment unit that executes payments using cryptocurrencies exchanged for the crypto assets.

[0007] Preferably, the physical asset is gold, and the crypto-asset is data including a serial number attached to a gold ingot that uniquely identifies the ingot.

[0008] Preferably, the system further comprises a storage status disclosure unit that discloses the storage status of the physical assets to holders of the crypto assets.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic payment system that can further stabilize the asset value of cryptocurrency.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic payment system using cryptocurrency according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining gold serial numbers. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic payment system 100 using cryptocurrency according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an NFT server. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of a user terminal 20. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a cryptocurrency server 30. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the NFT server 10. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal 20. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the cryptocurrency server 30. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the electronic payment system 100 using cryptocurrency. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a gold convertible NFT ledger. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a gold convertible NFT.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate the same figures, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In a broad sense, "crypto assets" include both cryptocurrencies and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) that have asset value, but in the following description, when it is desired to distinguish between cryptocurrencies and NFTs, they will be referred to as cryptocurrencies and NFTs, respectively.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an electronic payment system using cryptocurrency according to this embodiment.

[0013] In this embodiment, NFTs, which are crypto assets equivalent to physical assets, are used to back the asset value of cryptocurrency. In other words, when cryptocurrency is exchanged for NFTs, the value of the NFTs is equivalent to the value of the physical assets, and therefore the cryptocurrency is backed by the value of the physical assets via the NFTs. This allows the electronic payment system according to this embodiment to increase the stability of the asset value of cryptocurrency and realize an electronic payment system that takes into consideration the safety of transactions using cryptocurrency.

[0014] The "physical assets" referred to here may be mineral resources, such as precious metals such as gold, platinum, silver, copper, and diamonds, or physical assets traded on the international market, such as grains such as wheat and soybeans. In this embodiment, however, gold is used as an example of the physical asset that backs the value of the NFT.

[0015] Therefore, the NFT used in this embodiment has a value equivalent to that of gold, and has the function of being exchanged for an equivalent amount of gold, the function of measuring value based on the equivalent amount of gold, and the function of storing NFTs due to the non-tamperability of NFTs using blockchain technology. Therefore, it can be said that it has all three functions of currency (storage function, exchange function, and value measure function).

[0016] Below, we will explain an electronic payment system that uses NFTs that can be exchanged for gold (hereinafter referred to as ``gold-convertible NFTs'') and cryptocurrency that is secured by gold-convertible NFTs.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of an electronic payment system using cryptocurrency according to this embodiment.

[0018] The general flow of the electronic payment system shown in Figure 1 is that currencies such as dollars, yen, and crypto assets are exchanged for gold (physical) and then exchanged for gold-convertible NFTs or other crypto assets and held. For example, when purchasing crypto assets today, dollars, yen, or crypto assets are first deposited at a centralized exchange and then exchanged for the desired crypto asset. However, this electronic payment system is unique in that the exchange rate is based on gold. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, in this cryptocurrency-based electronic payment system, a gold-convertible NFT issuer 1 issues gold-convertible NFTs equivalent to 1 gold held in a gold vault, supplies them to the NFT market (1), and receives payment in crypto currency (2). Although not shown, payment may also be received in cash.

[0019] Meanwhile, in the cryptocurrency market, multiple cryptocurrency issuers 2 currently issue their own cryptocurrencies and supply them to the cryptocurrency market (3). Therefore, the cryptocurrency issuers 2 exchange their own cryptocurrencies for gold-convertible NFTs and hold the gold-convertible NFTs (4). This allows them to hold gold-convertible NFTs instead of cash to back the asset value of their own cryptocurrencies, i.e., to hold the asset value of gold equivalent to the gold-convertible NFTs. There may also be a form of exchange between cryptocurrencies equivalent to gold-convertible NFTs and cryptocurrencies that are not.

[0020] A general user 3 pays cash to a bank 4 (5) and obtains cryptocurrency (6). The cryptocurrency is then used to trade in the cryptocurrency market (7) and to purchase gold-convertible NFTs in the NFT market (8). This purchase may be made using either cryptocurrency (9) or cash (10). Strictly speaking, the cash payment is made from a cash deposit the user has opened at a bank, so it would be correct to illustrate the process via the bank 4. However, for ease of explanation, Figure 1 shows a connection between the general user 3 and the NFT market.

[0021] When cryptocurrency issuers 2 and general users 3 wish to convert their gold convertible NFTs into cash, they can exchange the gold convertible NFTs (11), (13) for cash (12), (14) at the gold NFT exchange 5. In doing so, the cryptocurrency issuers 2 and general users 3 notify the gold NFT exchange 5 in advance of the gold serial number included in the gold convertible NFTs they hold, and the gold NFT exchange 5 then takes out from the gold vault 1S of the gold convertible NFT issuer 1 an ingot engraved with the same gold serial number as that notified, and exchanges it for the gold convertible NFT. When the ingot is exchanged for the gold convertible NFT, the gold convertible NFT with the gold serial number printed on the ingot disappears, i.e., the NFT data becomes invalid.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the gold serial number.

[0023] When gold is stored as a physical asset, it is molded into ingots, and a serial number is issued by the Gold Serial Number Management Center 6 to uniquely identify the ingots in the international market (11). For example, in Africa, the "eyes of Africa" ​​is known.

[0024] The gold (12) excavated at the gold refinery 7 is molded into ingots at the ingot manufacturing plant 8. At this time, a serial number issued by the gold serial number management center 6 is engraved on the ingot, thereby certifying that the gold ingot (13) is genuine and enabling it to be managed as a commodity.

[0025] The gold convertible NFT issuer 1 acquires gold ingots 1G engraved with serial numbers from an ingot manufacturing plant 8 and stores them in a gold vault 1S. The gold ingots 1G may also be acquired from a gold sales company 9 (14).

[0026] Gold Convertible NFT Issuer 1 issues a Gold Convertible NFT containing the serial number engraved on gold ingot 1G stored in Gold Vault 1S as data. This associates the Gold Convertible NFT with the value of the unique gold ingot, thereby confirming its value as a cryptocurrency. In other words, there is a one-to-one relationship between the Gold Convertible NFT and actual gold, similar to the relationship between a diamond and its certificate. The trading price of gold is determined in units of one troy ounce (31.1035 grams), and is set in the base currency, such as the US dollar, for gold trading on the international market. Generally, the value of a gold ingot is determined by multiplying the gold's mass number by the gold's trading price (current market value), which is the value of the Gold Convertible NFT.

[0027] Figure 3 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic payment system 100 using cryptocurrency according to this embodiment. The electronic payment system 100 using cryptocurrency is configured by an NFT server 10 operated by a gold-convertible NFT issuer 1, a user terminal 20 used by a general user 3, and a cryptocurrency server 30 operated by a cryptocurrency issuer 2, all communicatively connected to one another via a network 40. Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the NFT server.

[0028] The NFT server 10 includes a processor 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a storage 104, a display 105, a real-time clock (RTC) 106, and a communication I / F 107, which are connected to each other via a bus 108.

[0029] The communication I / F 107 is connected to a wired or wireless network communication device 109 for connecting to the network 40 and the camera 1C. The camera 1C is connected to the user terminal 20 and the cryptocurrency server 30 via the network communication device 109.

[0030] Furthermore, a camera 1C is installed inside the gold vault 1S and generates live images of the storage status of the gold ingots. This live image is distributed to a user terminal 20.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 20. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The user terminal 20 includes a processor 201 , a RAM 202 , a ROM 203 , a storage 204 , a display 205 , a speaker 206 , and a network communication device 207 , which are connected to each other via a bus 208 .

[0033] FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the cryptocurrency server 30.

[0034] The cryptocurrency server 30 includes a processor 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, a storage 304, a display 305, and a network communication device 306, which are connected to each other via a bus 307.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the NFT server 10.

[0036] The NFT server 10 includes a serial number registration unit 110, a gold-convertible NFT issuing unit 120, an NFT settlement unit 130, and a storage status disclosure unit 140. Each of these units is realized by the processor 101 loading a program installed in the ROM 103 or storage 104 of the NFT server 10 into the RAM 102 and executing the program.

[0037] Furthermore, the NFT server 10 further includes a gold convertible NFT ledger recording unit 150 and a cryptocurrency storage unit 160. The gold convertible NFT ledger recording unit 150 and the cryptocurrency storage unit 160 are formed in the memory area of ​​the storage 104.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal 20.

[0039] The user terminal 20 includes a cryptocurrency payment unit 210 and a gold convertible NFT payment unit 220. These units are realized by the processor 201 loading a program installed in the ROM 203 or storage 204 of the user terminal 20 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

[0040] The user terminal 20 further includes a cryptocurrency storage unit 230 and a gold-exchangeable NFT recording unit 240. The cryptocurrency storage unit 230 and the gold-exchangeable NFT recording unit 240 are formed in the memory area of ​​the storage 204.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the cryptocurrency server 30.

[0042] The cryptocurrency server 30 includes a cryptocurrency settlement unit 210 and a gold convertible NFT settlement unit 220. Each of these units is realized by the processor 301 loading a program installed in the ROM 303 or storage 304 of the cryptocurrency server 30 into the RAM 302 and executing the program.

[0043] The cryptocurrency server 30 further comprises a cryptocurrency storage unit 330 and a gold-exchangeable NFT recording unit 340. The cryptocurrency storage unit 330 and the gold-exchangeable NFT recording unit 340 are formed in the memory area of ​​the storage 304.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the electronic payment system 100 using cryptocurrency.

[0045] When the gold convertible NFT issuer 1 obtains a gold ingot, the serial number registration unit 110 of the NFT server 10 registers the serial number in the gold convertible NFT ledger of the gold convertible NFT ledger recording unit 150 (S01).

[0046] The gold convertible NFT issuing unit 120 generates token data including a serial number. This corresponds to the gold convertible NFT (S02). The serial number and the token ID are associated in the gold convertible NFT ledger, thereby corroborating the gold convertible NFT with physical gold.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gold convertible NFT ledger.

[0048] The gold convertible NFT ledger contains records such as a "token ID" that uniquely identifies the gold convertible NFT, the "serial number" engraved on the gold ingot, a "branch number" that indicates how many gold convertible NFTs have been issued for one ingot, the "data creator" and "data creation date and time" (detailed down to the second) of the gold convertible NFT, and "rights holder 1" that indicates the first rights holder.

[0049] When a gold ingot is obtained in step S01, only the serial number may be input to manage the location of the gold ingot in the gold vault.

[0050] When the asset value of a gold ingot becomes high and the unit price of the gold-convertible NFT becomes high, the gold-convertible NFT issuing unit 120 may issue multiple gold-convertible NFTs from a single gold ingot. In this case, the value of one gold-convertible NFT is calculated by dividing the value by the number of divisions of the gold ingot. For example, the gold-convertible NFTs identified by "aaid2" to "aaid5" in FIG. 11 are equivalent to one-quarter of the asset value of a gold ingot with gold serial number "111112." The gold-convertible NFT identified by "aaid1" is equivalent to the full asset value of a gold ingot with gold serial number "111111."

[0051] The gold-exchangeable NFT issuing unit 120 issues a gold-exchangeable NFT using data including at least a token ID, a gold serial number, and a branch number if the token may be divided.

[0052] The storage status disclosure unit 140 photographs the gold vault 1S with the camera 1C, broadcasts live video, and broadcasts information that gold is being held to the user terminal 20 and the cryptocurrency server 30 (S03). For ease of explanation, this step is described, but the live video may be broadcast periodically, or continuously while the NFT server 10 is running.

[0053] When the NFT server 10 receives a buy order for the gold-convertible NFT, the NFT settlement unit 130 transmits the gold-convertible NFT using the blockchain system and receives cryptocurrency as payment (S04). The sales record is recorded in the gold-convertible NFT ledger, and the received cryptocurrency is stored in the cryptocurrency storage unit 160. Similarly, when the NFT server 10 receives a sell order for the gold-convertible NFT, the NFT settlement unit 130 receives the gold-convertible NFT using blockchain technology and pays the cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency storage unit as payment. When trading gold-convertible NFTs using blockchain technology, the gold serial number and branch number are always passed on to the next owner of the gold-convertible NFT. This allows the final owner of the gold-convertible NFT to obtain an equivalent amount of gold based on the gold serial number and branch number when exchanging it for physical gold.

[0054] The gold-convertible NFTs are traded in the NFT market and the cryptocurrency market using blockchain technology (S05). Cryptocurrency issuers 2 and users 3 exchange the gold-convertible NFTs for cryptocurrency and hold the gold-convertible NFTs, and may use the gold-convertible NFTs as a means of holding assets or as a means of payment. In either case, because the gold-convertible NFTs have a value equivalent to gold, the asset value of the gold-convertible NFTs themselves and the cryptocurrency exchanged for them is backed by gold, a physical asset, and the value of the cryptocurrency is stabilized.

[0055] FIG. 12 shows an example data structure of a gold-convertible NFT.

[0056] At the time of issuance, the gold-convertible NFT includes the "token ID," "gold serial number," "branch number," "data creator," "data creation date and time," and "rights holder 1 (ZZ)." When transferred from "rights holder 1 (ZZ)" to "rights holder 2 (WW)," the "token ID," "gold serial number," and "branch number" are included, followed by "rights holder 1 (ZZ)" and "rights holder 2 (WW)." Next, when transferred from "rights holder 2 (WW)" to "rights holder 3 (YY)," the "token ID," "gold serial number," and "branch number" are included, followed by "rights holder 2 (WW)" and "rights holder 3 (YY)." In this way, blockchain inherits previous data and manages it in a decentralized manner within the data system, but the "token ID," "gold serial number," and "branch number" may be included at any stage. Note that this is merely one example of blockchain technology, and the data structure during a transaction is not limited to this, as long as the "gold serial number" and "branch number" linked to the gold-convertible NFT can ultimately be determined.

[0057] In particular, by holding gold-convertible NFTs equivalent to the cryptocurrency issued by cryptocurrency issuer 2, the gold-convertible NFTs can be used as collateral for the cryptocurrency, making it possible to provide collateral for the cryptocurrency without depositing cash in a bank.

[0058] When a request for an exchange of gold convertible NFTs is made to the Gold NFT Exchange 5, the Gold NFT Exchange 5 retrieves from the gold vault 1S a gold ingot with the same serial number as the gold convertible NFT for which an exchange request has been made to the Gold NFT Issuer 1, and exchanges it for the gold convertible NFT at the Gold NFT Exchange 5. This completes the exchange of the gold convertible NFT for gold, which is a physical asset. Once the exchange is complete, the gold convertible NFT disappears, and the Gold NFT Issuer 1 records that the gold convertible NFT has disappeared in the gold convertible NFT ledger (S06).

[0059] According to this embodiment, by issuing a crypto asset with a value equivalent to a physical asset, the value of the crypto asset can be backed by the physical asset. Then, by exchanging this crypto asset for a cryptocurrency and making an electronic payment using the cryptocurrency secured by the crypto asset, a payment based on the crypto asset can be made, and the value of the cryptocurrency can be stabilized.

[0060] The above-described embodiments do not limit the present invention, and modifications that do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0061] For example, gold-convertible NFTs may be distributed as in-game items, allowing items acquired in virtual games to be exchanged for cash in the real world.

[0062] The structure, system, program, and the like of the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0063] For example, two or more members can be combined into one, or conversely, one member can be made up of two or more separate members and connected together.

[0064] Furthermore, the above embodiment is merely one of the best modes currently available.

[0065] Furthermore, the control may be performed by a higher-level control section, or by a more distal control section.

[0066] Furthermore, the order of control can be changed as appropriate as long as it has a predetermined effect.

[0067] 1: Gold convertible NFT issuer 1C: Camera 1G: Gold ingot 1S: Gold vault 2: Cryptocurrency issuer 3: Rights holder 3: User 4: Bank 5: Gold NFT exchange 6: Gold serial number management center 7: Gold refinery 8: Ingot manufacturing plant 9: Gold sales company 10: NFT server 20: User terminal 30: Cryptocurrency server 40: Network 100: Electronic payment system 101: Processor 102: RAM 103: ROM 104: Storage 105: Display 107: Communication I / F 108: Bus 109: Network communication device 110: Serial number registration unit 120: Gold convertible NFT issuing unit 130: NFT payment unit 140: Storage status disclosure unit 150: Gold convertible NFT ledger recording unit 160: Cryptocurrency storage unit 201: Processor 202: RAM 203: ROM 204: Storage 205: Display 206: Speaker 207: Network communication device 208: Bus 210: Cryptocurrency settlement unit 220: Gold convertible NFT settlement unit 230: Cryptocurrency storage unit 240: Gold convertible NFT recording unit 301: Processor 302: RAM 303: ROM 304: Storage 305: Display 306: Network communication device 307: Bus 330: Cryptocurrency storage unit 340: Gold convertible NFT recording unit

Claims

1. An electronic payment system comprising: a crypto asset issuing unit that issues crypto assets having a value equivalent to physical assets; and an electronic payment unit that executes payments based on the crypto assets.

2. An electronic payment system as described in claim 1, characterized in that the physical asset is gold, and the crypto asset is data including a serial number affixed to a gold ingot that uniquely identifies the ingot.

3. An electronic payment system as described in claim 1, further comprising a storage status disclosure unit that discloses the storage status of the physical assets to holders of the crypto assets.

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