Virtual currency payment method and system for same

Abstract

A computer executes: a first step for performing processing for causing a wallet, which is used by a user, to manage coins issued to the user; a second step for performing processing for causing the coins managed by the wallet to be used for paying a transaction fee for a payment made by the user using the wallet (using a payment card); and a third step for performing processing for burning the coins used for the transaction fee in the second step.

Description

Virtual Currency Settlement Method and System Thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual currency settlement method and a system thereof.

[0002] The settlement market using virtual currency is expanding.

[0003] Patent Publication No. 760891

[0004] However, in settlement using virtual currency, there are problems that the settlement fee becomes high and the substantial value of the virtual currency drops. Also, in virtual currency settlement, there is a problem that the settlement processing time becomes long due to an increase in the settlement processing volume associated with recording on the blockchain.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a virtual currency settlement method and a system thereof that can increase the value of a specific virtual currency in settlement using virtual currency. Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual currency settlement method and a system thereof that can shorten the settlement processing time.

[0006] The present invention is a virtual currency settlement method that performs settlement using a user wallet having a function for exchanging virtual currency into USDT, and includes a first step of setting identification information of the user's credit card in the user wallet of the user, a second step of storing a coin, which is a first virtual currency, in the user wallet, a third step of determining whether the settlement is possible using, as a second settlement limit, the smaller amount of either a first settlement limit of the credit card or the USDT managed by the user wallet in the settlement using the user wallet, a fourth step of performing settlement using the coin managed by the user wallet as a settlement fee when it is determined in the third step that the settlement is possible, and a fifth step of performing a process of burning the coin used as the settlement fee in the fourth step. This is the virtual currency settlement method executed by the virtual currency settlement system.

[0007] Preferably, the cryptocurrency settlement system stores at least one transaction from steps 1 to 5 on the blockchain. Preferably, when the cryptocurrency settlement system confirms that a first transfer transaction to the user wallet has been recorded on the blockchain, it records a second transfer transaction from the user wallet to the management wallet on the blockchain, corresponding to the amount indicated by the first transfer transaction.

[0008] Preferably, when a user of the user wallet sends funds to an external wallet other than the user wallet, the management wallet records a third transfer transaction from the management wallet to the external wallet on the blockchain. Preferably, the first transfer transaction and the third transfer transaction are updated to reflect in the internal management data.

[0009] Preferably, the system updates the internal management data to reflect the fourth transfer transaction between the multiple user wallets. Preferably, the cryptocurrency settlement system has the authority to transfer, view, and manage the user wallets.

[0010] Preferably, the settlement in the third step uses the coin or a second virtual currency other than the coin. Preferably, the credit card is accompanied by an airdrop service that grants the coin to the user wallet, and the computer further performs a fifth step of processing to grant the coin to the user wallet based on the airdrop service. Preferably, the computer further performs a step of determining the settlement fee based on the amount of the coin held in the user wallet.

[0011] The present invention relates to a cryptocurrency settlement method that uses a user wallet equipped with a function for exchanging cryptocurrency for stablecoins, wherein the cryptocurrency settlement system performs the following steps: a first step of setting the user's credit card identification information in the user wallet; a second step of storing a coin, which is a first cryptocurrency, in the user wallet; a third step of determining whether a settlement is possible using the user wallet, by using the smaller of the first settlement limit of the credit card and the stablecoin managed by the user wallet as a second settlement limit; a fourth step of performing the settlement using the coin managed by the user wallet as a settlement fee, if the third step determines that a settlement is possible; and a fifth step of burning the coin used as a settlement fee in the fourth step.

[0012] The present invention relates to a cryptocurrency settlement method that uses a user wallet equipped with a function for exchanging cryptocurrency for USDT, and is a cryptocurrency settlement system in which a computer performs the following steps: a first step of setting the user's credit card identification information in the user wallet; a second step of storing a first cryptocurrency coin in the user wallet; a third step of determining whether a settlement is possible in a settlement using the user wallet, using the lesser of the first settlement limit of the credit card and the USDT managed by the user wallet as the second settlement limit; a fourth step of performing the settlement using the coin managed by the user wallet as a settlement fee if the third step determines that a settlement is possible; and a fifth step of burning the coin used as the settlement fee in the fourth step.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cryptocurrency settlement method and system that can increase the value of a specific cryptocurrency in a settlement using cryptocurrency. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cryptocurrency settlement method and system that can shorten the settlement processing time.

[0014] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of an environment to which a cryptocurrency payment method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the wallet function provided by the cryptocurrency payment system 25 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the function of a user wallet 41 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the currency stored in the user wallet 41. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the initial operation of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the payment process of the cryptocurrency payment method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the airdrop service of this embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process when coins used as payment fees are burned in this embodiment. Figure 9 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal device 11 shown in Figure 1. Figure 10 is a functional block diagram of the cryptocurrency payment system 25 shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The following describes an example of a virtual currency payment method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of an environment to which the virtual currency payment method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the system uses, for example, a user terminal device 11, a card issuing company device 21, a virtual currency payment system 25, and a virtual currency issuing station device 31. Here, for example, the card issuing company device 21 and the virtual currency payment system 25 are operated by one business operator providing the service of this embodiment, or by different business operators.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the wallet function provided by the cryptocurrency payment system 25 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the cryptocurrency payment system 25 provides the functions of a user wallet 41 used by the user using the user terminal device 11 and a management wallet 45 used by the cryptocurrency payment system 25.

[0017] <Functions of User Wallet 41> Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the functions of the user wallet 41 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the currencies stored in the user wallet 41. The user wallet 41 stores the virtual currency held by the user and the USDT obtained by exchanging the virtual currency. The user wallet 41 has an address used for sending and receiving money. The virtual currency settlement system 25, in response to the user's operation instructions for the user terminal device 11, exchanges the first virtual currency coins stored in the user wallet 41 for USDT and stores them. The virtual currency settlement system 25 also, in response to the user's operation instructions, has the virtual currency stored in the user wallet 41 exchanged for USDT at the virtual currency issuing device 31 and stores them.

[0018] In this embodiment, the virtual currency settlement system 25 issues coins. The second virtual currency other than coins is issued by the virtual currency issuing device 31.

[0019] Furthermore, the cryptocurrency payment system 25 stores the cryptocurrency purchased by the user at the cryptocurrency issuing device 31 in the user wallet 41 in response to the user's operational instructions. In other words, the cryptocurrency payment system 25 stores the coins shown in Figure 4, general cryptocurrency, and USDT in the user wallet 41.

[0020] Based on Figure 3, the functions of the user wallet 41 will be further explained. As shown in Figure 3, the user wallet 41 has functions for managing cryptocurrencies and coins, sending and receiving funds, managing transaction history, currency exchange, security, and other management functions.

[0021] The user wallet 41 is a place for securely storing coins and the second cryptocurrency. The address of wallet 49 is the public key, and the private key used to access the user wallet 41 is used. The user wallet 41 sends coins and the second cryptocurrency to other wallets and receives them from other wallets.

[0022] The user wallet 41 checks and manages the transaction history of sent and received cryptocurrencies. It records transaction details so that they can be easily referenced later. The user wallet 41 provides security features such as two-factor authentication and biometric authentication to enhance the security of assets. The user wallet 41 sends funds to other user wallets 41 managed by the cryptocurrency payment system 25 via the management wallet 45. The user wallet 41 also uses the functions of the cryptocurrency payment system 25 to exchange its held coins and cryptocurrencies for USDT.

[0023] The user wallet 41 features a dashboard that allows users to check their balance and asset details in real time, as well as portfolio management functions.

[0024] <Functions of the Management Wallet 45> In addition to the functions of the user wallet 41 described above, the management wallet 45 holds the private key used for sending funds from the user wallet 41. The management wallet 45 manages the holdings and deposit status of coins and cryptocurrencies in the user wallet 41. In other words, the management wallet 45 has the authority to send funds from the user wallet 41, as well as the authority to view and manage it.

[0025] When the management wallet 45 confirms that the first transfer transaction to the user wallet 41 has been recorded on the blockchain, it records a second transfer transaction from the user wallet 41 to the management wallet 45 on the blockchain, corresponding to the amount indicated by the first transfer transaction. At this time, the transfer amount is, for example, the same as the amount received by the user wallet 41.

[0026] When a user wallet 41 sends funds to another external wallet other than the user wallet 41, the management wallet 45 records a third transfer transaction from the management wallet 45 to the external wallet on the blockchain.

[0027] The cryptocurrency settlement system 25 updates its internal management data to reflect the first and third remittance transactions. At this time, it does not record the transactions on the blockchain. This reduces processing time.

[0028] When the cryptocurrency payment system 25 performs a fourth transfer transaction between multiple user wallets 41, it does not record the transaction on the blockchain, but instead updates (records) the internal management data. This reduces processing time. The management data managed by the cryptocurrency payment system 25 records transactions such as transfers within the user wallets 41 managed by the cryptocurrency payment system 25.

[0029] In this way, by recording transfers between multiple user wallets 41 in internal management data rather than recording them in a transaction, the transaction processing time can be reduced. In other words, the amount of data processing associated with the transaction can be reduced.

[0030] <Initial Operation> Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the initial operation of an embodiment of the present invention. Step ST11: The user operates the user terminal device 11 to access the card issuing company device 21 and requests the credit card company to issue a credit card. The card issuing company issues a credit card to the user after a predetermined review. The card issuing company device 21 issues a credit card number and provides it to the user terminal device 11. At this time, a first payment limit, which is the maximum amount that the user can pay with their credit card, is set. The amount indicated by this first payment limit indicates the maximum amount that the user can pay with their credit card.

[0031] Step ST12: The user operates the user terminal device 11 to access the cryptocurrency payment system 25 and installs the user wallet 41, for example, as an application. This installation provides the user with the user wallet 41. The cryptocurrency payment system 25 comprehensively executes the processing of the user wallet 41 as described in this embodiment. The cryptocurrency payment system 25 also sets the card number of the credit card issued to the user in step ST11 in the user wallet 41.

[0032] Step ST13: The user operates the user terminal device 11 to purchase coins from the cryptocurrency payment system 25. The cryptocurrency payment system 25 records the transaction (history) of the user's coin purchase in its internal management data (performs an update to reflect the data). At this time, no record is made on the blockchain.

[0033] The user purchases cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency issuing device 31 as follows: When purchasing cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency issuing device 31, the user operates the user terminal device 11 to send a cryptocurrency purchase request to the cryptocurrency settlement system 25, specifying the cryptocurrency they wish to purchase. Cryptocurrencies include, for example, Bitcoin (trademark) and Ethereum (trademark).

[0034] The cryptocurrency payment system 25 accesses the cryptocurrency issuing device 31 that issues the cryptocurrency the user wishes to purchase and buys the amount of cryptocurrency the user wishes. At this time, the card issuing company device 21 records the purchase history in its internal management data. In the internal management data, the system updates the data by subtracting the purchase amount from the USDT in the user's wallet 41 and adding the amount of cryptocurrency purchased.

[0035] The cryptocurrency payment system 25 makes the purchase of the cryptocurrency using the address of the management wallet 45. The transaction for this purchase is recorded on the blockchain.

[0036] In this embodiment, using a credit card offers the following advantages compared to commonly used cryptocurrency-denominated debit cards: It can be used in many places and stores through partnerships with VISA (trademark), monthly payments can be deducted for subscriptions, no KYC application or screening is required, fees are low, it has an airdrop function, it supports cashless payments, and it can be resold because it is anonymous.

[0037] Furthermore, the cryptocurrency payment system 25 makes payments to the card issuing company's device 21 by the user using USDT held by the user, and records the transaction history on the blockchain as well as in internal management data.

[0038] <Settlement Processing> Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the settlement processing of a virtual currency settlement method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Step ST21: The user makes a payment using a credit card at a store or online. The payment operation is transmitted to the card issuing company device 21 and the virtual currency settlement system 25. It may be transmitted to either one of them.

[0039] Step ST22: The cryptocurrency settlement system 25 obtains information on the user's coin holdings based on internal management data and determines the settlement fee based on said holdings. At this time, the settlement fee may also be determined based on the settlement amount related to the settlement operation. Alternatively, the settlement fee may be a fixed amount.

[0040] Step ST23: The virtual currency payment system 25 acquires the credit payment limit (amount) (payable amount) of the user from the card issuing company device 21. The virtual currency payment system 25 checks whether the payment amount indicated in the above payment operation satisfies the payment conditions. Specifically, for example, the virtual currency payment system 25 uses, as the second payment limit, the smaller amount between the first payment limit, which is the above payment amount, and the USDT stored in the user wallet 41 of the user, to determine whether the payment is possible. Also, as a payment condition, the condition that there are coins equal to or more than the payment fee determined in step ST22 stored in the user wallet 41 is further used. When all the above conditions are satisfied, it is determined that the payment conditions are satisfied.

[0041] Step ST24: When the virtual currency payment system 25 determines in step ST23 that the payment conditions are satisfied, it proceeds to step ST25.

[0042] Step ST25: The virtual currency payment system 25 executes the payment process for the above payment amount. The virtual currency payment system 25 records, on the blockchain, a transfer transaction that transfers the USDT of the above payment amount to the wallet of the card issuing company device 21 by the function of the management wallet 45. Thereby, the transfer to the card issuing company device 21 is realized. Also, the virtual currency payment system 25 reduces the USDT in the user wallet 41 of the user by the above payment amount and records the transfer transaction in the internal management data.

[0043] Step ST26: The virtual currency payment system 25 performs a process of burning the coins of the payment fee determined in step ST22. The process of burning coins will be described later.

[0044] <Airdrop process> The credit card issued by the card issuing company device 21 is accompanied by an airdrop service that grants coins to the wallet 49 of the holder of the credit card. The amount of coins to be granted is changed, for example, according to the grade of the card.

[0045] Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining the air drop service of this embodiment. Step ST31: The device 21 for the card issuing company determines whether the conditions for performing an air drop are satisfied. If it is determined that the conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST32. The said conditions are, for example, dates several times a year determined in advance.

[0046] Step ST32: The device 21 for the card issuing company performs a process for providing coins in a predetermined amount (amount of money) for air drop to the user wallet 41 of the user. Specifically, the device 21 for the card issuing company transmits a coin issuance request to the virtual currency settlement system 25. When the virtual currency settlement system 25 receives the coin issuance request, it records the coins in the amount for air drop included in the request in the user wallet 41. Specifically, the virtual currency settlement system 25 records the said transaction in the internal management data. It does not record it on the blockchain. Thereby, coins in the amount for air drop are stored in the user wallet 41.

[0047] By providing the air drop function as described above to the credit card, the value of the said service can be enhanced. Also, as described above, when the virtual currency settlement system 25 provides coins for air drop to the user, it records the transaction in the internal management data, but does not record it on the blockchain. Thereby, the processing time of the transaction can be shortened. That is, the amount of data processing associated with the said transaction can be reduced.

[0048] <Coin burning process>Hereinafter, the process when the user makes a payment and burns the coins used as the payment fee will be explained. Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the process when burning the coins used as the payment fee in this embodiment.

[0049] Step ST41: The virtual currency settlement system 25 determines whether the burning conditions are satisfied. If it is determined that the conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST42. The burning conditions are, for example, conditions such as that coins are used as the payment fee.

[0050] Step ST42: The cryptocurrency settlement system 25 processes the transfer of coins deposited into the user wallet 41, equivalent to the settlement fee, to a predetermined burn address. Specifically, the management wallet 45 records the transfer transaction of the coins to the burn address on the blockchain.

[0051] Step ST43: The cryptocurrency settlement system 25 records the transaction from step ST42 in its internal management data. As a result, the amount of coins recorded in the user wallet 41 decreases by the amount burned.

[0052] In this way, burning a coin makes it permanently unusable. This reduces the supply of the coin and increases its value.

[0053] <Configuration of User Terminal Device 11> Figure 9 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal device 11 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 9, the user terminal device 11 includes, for example, a display 51, an operation / input unit 54, a communication unit 55, a memory 59, and a processing unit 61.

[0054] The display 51 displays an image based on a signal from the processing unit 61. The communication unit 55 communicates with the card issuing company device 21, the coin issuing station device 23, the cryptocurrency settlement system 25, and the cryptocurrency issuing station device 31. The operation / input unit 54 is an operating means such as a touch panel, keyboard, or mouse. The memory 59 stores the program executed by the processing unit 61. The processing unit 61 executes the program PRG stored in the memory 59 to perform the processing of the user terminal device 11 as defined in this embodiment.

[0055] <Configuration of the Cryptocurrency Payment System 25> Figure 10 is a functional block diagram of the card issuing company device 21 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 10, the cryptocurrency payment system 25 includes, for example, a communication unit 75, an input unit 77, a memory 79, and a processing unit 81.

[0056] The communication unit 75 communicates with the user terminal device 11 and the card issuing company device 21. The input unit 77 is a terminal, etc., for inputting data from the outside. The memory 79 stores the program to be executed by the processing unit 81. The processing unit 81 executes the program PRG stored in the memory 79 to perform the processing of the virtual currency settlement system 25 as defined in this embodiment.

[0057] The card issuer's device 21 has essentially the same configuration as the virtual currency payment system 25 shown in Figure 10, and performs the processing specified in the card issuer's device 21 described above.

[0058] As explained above, according to the cryptocurrency payment method of this embodiment, as the amount of payment increases by users using coins for cryptocurrency payments and burning those coins, the market value of the coins increases, providing benefits to users who hold the coins.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by providing an airdrop function, it is possible to provide economic benefits to credit card holders and increase the number of credit card subscribers.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by lowering the settlement fee according to the amount of coins held, the incentive to hold coins can be increased.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and substitutions with respect to the components of the embodiments described above, within the technical scope of the present invention or its equivalents.

[0062] For example, in the embodiment described above, a credit card was used as an example of a payment medium, but a debit card or any other card may also be used.

[0063] Furthermore, the airdrop function is not limited to those mentioned above; for example, it could also be a system that awards points based on the total payment amount.

[0064] In this embodiment, the coin is a different virtual currency from the virtual currency described above. That is, the virtual currency described above may be referred to as the first virtual currency, and the coin as the second virtual currency.

[0065] Furthermore, while USDT was used as an example of a series of stablecoins in the embodiment described above, other stablecoins may also be used.

[0066] This invention is applicable to services denominated in cryptocurrency.

[0067] 11...User terminal device 21...Device for card issuing company 25...Cryptocurrency payment system 25 49...Wallet

Claims

1. A cryptocurrency payment method in which a cryptocurrency payment system performs a payment using a user wallet equipped with a function for exchanging cryptocurrency for USDT, the method comprising: a first step of setting the user's credit card identification information in the user wallet; a second step of storing a coin, which is a first cryptocurrency, in the user wallet; a third step of determining whether a payment is possible in a payment using the user wallet, using the lesser of the first payment limit of the credit card and the USDT managed by the user wallet as a second payment limit; a fourth step of performing a payment using the coin managed by the user wallet as a payment fee if it is determined in the third step that the payment is possible; and a fifth step of burning the coin used as a payment fee in the fourth step.

2. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 1, wherein the cryptocurrency settlement system stores at least one transaction of the first to fifth steps on a blockchain.

3. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 2, wherein when the cryptocurrency settlement system confirms that a first remittance transaction to the user wallet has been recorded on the blockchain, a second remittance transaction from the user wallet to the management wallet corresponding to the amount indicated by the first remittance transaction is recorded on the blockchain.

4. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 3, wherein when a user of the user wallet sends funds to an external wallet other than the user wallet, the management wallet records a third transfer transaction from the management wallet to the external wallet on the blockchain.

5. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 4, which includes updating the internal management data to reflect the first remittance transaction and the third remittance transaction.

6. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 5, which includes updating the internal management data to reflect a fourth transfer transaction between a plurality of user wallets.

7. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 6, wherein the cryptocurrency settlement system has the authority to send, view, and manage the user wallet.

8. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 1, wherein the settlement of the third step is performed using the coin or a second cryptocurrency other than the coin.

9. The virtual currency payment method according to claim 1, wherein the credit card is accompanied by an airdrop service for awarding the coins to the user wallet, and the computer further performs a fifth step of processing to award the coins to the user wallet based on the airdrop service.

10. The cryptocurrency settlement method according to claim 1, wherein the computer further performs the step of determining the settlement fee based on the amount of coins held in the user wallet.

11. A cryptocurrency payment method in which a cryptocurrency payment system performs a payment using a user wallet equipped with a function for exchanging cryptocurrency for stablecoins, the method comprising: a first step of setting the user's credit card identification information in the user wallet; a second step of storing a coin which is a first cryptocurrency in the user wallet; a third step of determining whether a payment is possible in a payment using the user wallet, using the lesser of the first payment limit of the credit card and the stablecoins managed by the user wallet as a second payment limit; a fourth step of performing a payment using the coins managed by the user wallet as a payment fee if it is determined in the third step that the payment is possible; and a fifth step of burning the coins used as a payment fee in the fourth step.

12. A cryptocurrency payment method for making a payment using a user wallet equipped with a function for exchanging cryptocurrency for USDT, the method comprising: a first step of setting the user's credit card identification information in the user wallet; a second step of storing a coin, which is a first cryptocurrency, in the user wallet; a third step of determining whether a payment is possible in a payment using the user wallet, using the lesser of the first payment limit of the credit card and the USDT managed by the user wallet as a second payment limit; a fourth step of making a payment using the coin managed by the user wallet as a payment fee, if the third step determines that a payment is possible; and a fifth step of burning the coin used as a payment fee in the fourth step, the computer performing these steps.

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