CBDC Collateral Exchange and Liquidation Threshold Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Financial institutions face challenges in managing balances in multiple currency denominations, particularly with the rise of digital currencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), as users need to swiftly exchange funds between different currencies, and collateral values fluctuate due to currency volatility, posing risks to financial instruments.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to swiftly exchange balances among CBDCs and digital currencies, utilizing a network environment with computing devices, digital currency market systems, and blockchain networks to facilitate transactions, including the generation of collateralized instruments with liquidation conditions and exchange services that manage currency conversions and update liquidation thresholds based on exchange rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If financial institutions hold balances in a single currency denomination, then account management is simple, but users cannot swiftly exchange funds between different currencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrency exchange capabilityVSAvoidmulti-currency account management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The account is segmented into multiple currency denominations (e.g., USD balance, EUR balance, CBDC balance) within a single account structure. Each currency denomination is managed as a separate sub-account or balance tier, allowing users to hold and exchange multiple currencies while maintaining a unified account interface. This segmentation enables swift currency exchanges without requiring users to navigate complex external exchange platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The financial institution's account system is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple currency denominations simultaneously. The same account infrastructure supports both traditional fiat currencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), enabling users to perform exchanges between different currency types through a single unified platform. This universal design eliminates the need for separate exchange mechanisms for each currency pair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital currencies are used as collateral, then lending flexibility increases, but collateral values fluctuate due to currency volatility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollateral flexibilityVSAvoidcollateral value stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts liquidation conditions and collateral thresholds in response to real-time currency volatility. When digital currency collateral values fluctuate, the system automatically recalculates liquidation thresholds and can trigger partial liquidations or adjustments to maintain adequate collateral coverage. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability while preserving lending flexibility across volatile digital currency markets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor collateral values in real-time. When the value of digital currency collateral approaches liquidation thresholds, the system sends feedback signals to trigger protective actions, such as requiring additional collateral, adjusting loan terms, or executing partial liquidations. This feedback loop ensures that collateralized instruments remain secure against currency fluctuations while maintaining maximum lending flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If users exchange currencies through digital exchanges, then currency conversion is possible, but the process is complicated and overwhelming for everyday users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrency exchange simplicityVSAvoidexchange speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The financial institution provides self-service currency exchange functionality directly within its account system. Users can initiate currency exchanges between different denominations (e.g., converting USD to EUR or CBDC) through simple interface elements within their existing account dashboard. The system automatically handles exchange rate calculations, executes the conversion, and updates balances without requiring users to navigate complex external exchange platforms. This self-service approach makes currency conversion as simple as checking the account balance and initiating a transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If liquidation conditions are updated based on exchange rates, then collateral security is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollateral securityVSAvoidliquidation condition management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes liquidation thresholds and condition rules before currency volatility occurs. When digital currency collateral is deposited, the system automatically calculates and sets appropriate liquidation thresholds based on current market conditions and risk parameters. These pre-configured conditions are then automatically enforced during volatility events, eliminating the need for complex real-time manual adjustments. The preliminary setup of liquidation conditions simplifies system operation while maintaining robust collateral security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4390825A1Method of allowing selectable currency within an account
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES CO INC
  • EP4390825A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390825A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390825A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are various embodiments for allowing selectable currency within an account. In at least some embodiments, a system (106) can receive a first request to exchange central bank digital currencies, CBDCs, within a collateral account from a first CBDC denomination to a second CBDC denomination. The system can then obtain, from a market application (151), an exchange rate that can be used to calculate an exchange between the first CBDC denomination and the second CBDC denomination. The system (106) can identify a first amount of the first CBDC denomination within the collateral account and calculate a second amount of the second CBDC denomination. The system (106) can obtain the second amount of the second CBDC denomination and credit the second amount of the second CBDC denomination to the collateral account. The system (106) can also debit the first amount of the first CBDC denomination from the collateral account.