WO2023093999A1

WO2023093999A1 - Fintech electronic platform and method for handling precious metal bars

Info

Publication number: WO2023093999A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/083202
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davide Giovanni BOSSOLETTI
Original assignee: Il Marchese Diamonds Limited
Priority date: 2021-11-26
Filing date: 2021-11-26
Publication date: 2023-06-01

Abstract

Fintech electronic platform for handling precious metal bars, comprising a processor (100a) and a memory (100b) associated with said processor (100a), wherein said processor (100a) is configured to: receive from one or more electronic devices (120) a plurality of reading signals (A1), each representative of a respective QR code applied to a respective precious metal bar, said respective QR code being representative of data descriptive of the respective precious metal bar; generate a plurality of tokens, each comprising a respective of said QR codes; send token registration signals (A2) to a distributed ledger (130), to register in the distributed ledger each token in association with respective first property data; receive a subscription request signal (A3) from a user device (140);in response to said subscription request signal (A3), transmit to said user device (140) a subscription acceptance signal (A4); receive from said user device (140) a payment signal (A5) corresponding to a value of one or more of said precious metal bars; receive from said user device (140) an ownership signal (A6) including second property data; transmit to the user device (140) a token signal (A7) including the token/s corresponding to said payment; transmit to said distributed ledger (130) a transfer registration signal (A8) for registration in said distributed ledger (130) of the ownership transfer of said token/s according to said second property data.

Description

"FINTECH ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING PRECIOUS METAL BARS"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a fintech electronic platform for handling precious metal bars.

The present invention also refers to a fintech method for handling precious metal bars.

As known, property and transactions involving precious metals, particularly precious metal bars (or "ingots"), must be certified.

This is necessary in order to prevent thefts, illegal traffics, etc. and, more in general, to provide a safe and secure environment in which transactions of precious items can be carried out.

In this context, the Applicant has felt the need to provide a technique which allows to certify, in a simple, reliable and economical way, property and transactions of precious metals items.

According to a first aspect, the invention refers to an electronic platform for handling precious metal bars.

Preferably, said electronic platform comprises a processor and a memory associated with said processor.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive from one or more electronic devices a plurality of reading signals.

Preferably, each reading signal is representative of a respective QR code applied to a respective precious metal bar.

Preferably, said respective QR. code is representative of data descriptive of the respective precious metal bar.

Preferably, said processor is configured to generate a plurality of tokens.

Preferably, each token comprises a respective of said QR codes.

Preferably, said processor is configured to send token registration signals to a distributed ledger, to register in the distributed ledger each token in association with respective first property data.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive a subscription request signal from a user device.

Preferably, said processor is configured to transmit to said user device, in response to said subscription request signal, a subscription acceptance signal.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive from said user device a payment signal corresponding to a value of one or more of said precious metal bars.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive from said user device an ownership signal including second property data.

Preferably, said processor is configured to transmit to the user device a token signal including the token/s corresponding to said payment.

Preferably, said processor is configured transmit to said distributed ledger a transfer registration signal for registration in said distributed ledger of the ownership transfer of said token/s according to said second property data.

According to a second aspect, the invention refers to a method for handling precious metal bars.

Preferably, said method comprises providing a plurality of precious metal bars.

Preferably, said method comprises applying a QR code onto each of said precious metal bars.

Preferably, said QR. code is representative of data descriptive of the respective precious metal bar.

Preferably, said method comprises activating an electronic device for reading each of said QR codes.

Preferably, said method comprises, for each precious metal bar, generating a token. Preferably, said token includes the respective QR code.

Preferably, said method comprises storing each token in a distributed ledger in association with respective first property data.

Preferably, said first property data are representative of a first owner of the precious metal bar.

Preferably, said method comprises receiving second property data, representative of a second owner to which a given precious metal bar is to be transferred.

Preferably, said method comprises receiving payment data representative of a determined payment from said second owner.

Preferably, said method comprises storing in said distributed ledger an ownership transaction of said given precious metal bar, represented by the respective QR. code, from the first owner to the second owner.

In one or more of the above aspects, the invention can include one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably, said data descriptive of the precious metal bar include one or more of the following: dimensions; weight; value; material.

Preferably, said precious metal comprises one or more of the following: gold; silver.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive from said user device a purchase signal.

Preferably, said purchase signal includes a payment of a predetermined amount, corresponding to a part of the value of one of said precious metal bars. Preferably, said purchase signal includes with third property data.

Preferably, said processor is configured to transmit to said user device, in response to said purchase signal, a token corresponding to said predetermined amount.

Preferably, said processor is configured to transmit to said distributed ledger a transfer signal for registering in said distributed ledger the transfer of said token to said user device.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive from said user device a transfer request for transferring to said user device a token corresponding to one precious metal bar in exchange for multiple tokens having value smaller than said one precious metal bar.

Preferably, said processor is configured to verify that the sum of the values of said multiple tokens corresponds to the value of said one precious metal bar.

Preferably, said processor is configured to receive from said user device said multiple tokens.

Preferably, said processor is configured to transmit to said user device the token corresponding to said one precious metal bar.

Preferably, said method comprises receiving a purchase signal, including a payment of a predetermined amount, corresponding to a part of the value of one of said precious metal bars, along with third property data.

Preferably, said method comprises transmitting, in response to said purchase signal, a token corresponding to said predetermined amount.

Preferably, said method comprises transmitting to said distributed ledger a transfer signal for registering in said distributed ledger the transfer of said token to the entity represented by said third property data.

Preferably, said method comprises receiving from a user device a transfer request for transferring to said user device a token corresponding to one precious metal bar in exchange for multiple tokens having value smaller than said one precious metal bar.

Preferably, said method comprises verifying that the sum of the values of said multiple tokens corresponds to the value of said one precious metal bar.

Preferably, said method comprises receiving from said user device said multiple tokens.

Preferably, said method comprises transmitting to said user device the token corresponding to said one precious metal bar.

Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

The description is provided with reference to accompanying drawings, which are included for exemplary and non-limiting purposes, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a block diagram representative of the invention;

- Figure 2 schematically shows communication signals exchanged according to the invention;

- Figures 3a-3b schematically represent possible embodiments of precious metal bars that can be used in the present invention.

With reference to figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a system for handling precious metal bars in accordance with the present invention.

System 1 comprises an IT platform (Information Technology platform) 100, which from a practical point of view can be considered a fintech platform as will be better explained in the following.

From a hardware perspective, platform 100 can be realized as one or more computers (per se of known type), configured and programmed in order to carry out the operations herein disclosed and claimed. In the representation provided in figure 1, a processor 100a and a memory 100b are schematically shown. The actions described in the following with reference to the platform 100 can in practice be carried out by the processor 100a. Thus the latter schematically represents the hardware which is included in the platform 100.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a physical storage, wherein precious metal bars (or "ingots") can be stored. Physical storage 110 is provided with all the necessary security features for protecting the valuable assets stored therein.

It has to be noticed that the connection between platform 100 and storage 110 represented in figure 1 is not necessarily a physical connection, it can simply represent a logical association which will be apparent from the description of the system operation.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an electronic device through which a QR code applied to a precious metal bar can be read and transmitted to platform 100. The QR code and association thereof to the precious metal bars will be further disclosed in the following. It has to be noted that the electronic device 120 can be, for example, a mobile device (such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, etc.) or a personal computer (possibly having also server functionalities). In a nutshell, the electronic device 120 - irrespective of the specific form in which it is realized - is provided with the necessary hardware and software resources (typically, a camera and a software cooperating with the camera) configured to recognize and decode the QR code. It has also to be noted that the electronic device 120 has been represented in figure 1 as external and connected to the platform 100; however, it is not excluded that the electronic device 120 is included in platform 100.

Reference numeral 130 denotes a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain. Although it is represented as a single block for the sake of simplicity, it has to be understood that a blockchain is composed of multiple apparatuses which cooperate so as to form the distributed ledger.

Reference numeral 140 denotes the users which access the platform 100 in order to take advantage of the fintech services provides by system 1. More specifically, 140 denotes the electronic devices (e.g. mobile devices, computers, etc.) via which the users interact with platform 100. It has to be noted that a determined user does not necessarily employ the very same physical device for interacting with platform 100; the user may employ different devices in different moments (e.g. a smartphone first, and then a laptop, or vice-versa), thus the user device 140 can be considered as the unique profile with which the user is identified in the electronic platform 100, irrespective of the specific hardware used for interacting with the platform itself.

From an operational point of view, a plurality of precious metal bars is provided. As said, such bars are stored in physical storage 110.

Precious metals can include, for example, gold or silver. For the sake of simplicity, in the following reference will be made to gold bars. However, it has to be understood that the following description also applies, mutatis mutandis, to other precious metals and, more in general, precious items.

Each gold bar is equipped with a QR code, which represents the gold bar's characteristics: dimensions, weight, type of material, etc.

In an embodiment, the QR. code is generated embedding these data in the QR code itself.

Preferably, the QR code is stamped on the gold bar.

In an embodiment, schematically shown in figure 3a, a pictorial representation 20 is applied to gold bar 10, e.g. resembling a banknote. The QR code 30 can be included in such pictorial representation.

In figure 3b is instead schematically represented a gold bar 10 on which the QR code is stamped, with no further graphical/pictorial elements.

For each gold bar, a token is generated. The token contains the QR code applied to the gold bar. The QR. code is read by the electronic device 120 and transmitted to the platform 100 as reading signal Al.

The token, in association with the ownership of the token itself, i.e. an identifier of the subject/entity that initially owns the gold bar associated to the token, is stored on the distributed ledger 130. This command (in the form of an electric signal) from platform 100 to the distributed ledger 130 is represented by arrow A2 in figure 2.

When a potential new customer wishes to access the service, he/she submits an application. The electric signal embedding this request is represented, in figure 2, by arrow A3.

After a due diligence is carried out with positive outcome, a new profile is created in the platform 100. In figure 2, arrow A4 represents the electric signal including the information concerning the subscription acceptance sent from the platform 100 to the user device 140.

The new customer can now perform operations on the platform 100.

If the customer is already the owner of a virtual wallet, he/she can rely on such wallet in order to exchange values with the platform 100.

If the customer does not own a virtual wallet yet, a new one can be created in association with the platform 100; a commercially available technology can be used, such as for example a USB device for storing and managing virtual money, such as a Ledger® device (https://www.leclqer.com/, last access November 15, 2021).

In order to purchase one or more gold bars, the user transfers to the platform account of an amount of money (be it traditional currency or cryptocurrency) equal, for example, to two gold bars. The electric signal representing the money transaction from the user to the platform 100 is represented by arrow A5 in figure 2. The electronic signal 140 also sends to the platform 100 an ownership signal A6, representative to the data of the physical/legal person to which the gold bars have to be transferred. In return to the payment, the user (represented by the ownership data included in signal A6) receives two tokens, each representative of one gold bar; in particular, each token contains the QR code applied to the respective gold bar. In figure 2, arrow A7 represent the electrical signal via which the tokens are sent to the user device 140.

The transaction of the property of the two gold bars is registered in the distributed ledger 130: in particular, what is registered in the distributed ledger 130 is the property transfer of the two tokens from the initial owner (e.g. the entity that has set up the system and manages the platform) and the new customer. In figure 2, arrow A8 represents the electrical signal via which the platform 100 instructs the distributed ledger 130 to record this transaction.

In an embodiment, the user can request that the acquired gold bars be shipped to him/her; alternatively, the user can leave the gold bars stored in the physical storage 110.

In addition to the above, the customer can also acquire tokens having a value smaller than the value of one gold bar.

Preferably, predetermined values of such tokens are available. For example, assuming that the gold bar's weight is 100g, tokens can be available which correspond to 10g or 20g of gold (i.e. 10% or 20% of one gold bar).

When a customer, purchasing multiple tokens, each corresponding to a "portion" of a gold bar, reaches the value of one gold bar (for example, ten tokens, each corresponding to 10% of the value of one gold bar), he/she can request that such set of tokens be converted into one single token, corresponding to a physical gold bar. In this situation, the customer transfers the tokens to the platform, and receives in return one token, which corresponds to one gold bar and includes the QR. code of such gold bar. Advantageously, these transactions are registered in the distributed ledger 130. Furthermore, the user can request that the physical gold bar be shipped to him/her; as an alternative, the used can leave the physical gold bar stored in the physical storage 110.

In an embodiment, the tokens (having value either equal to or smaller than the value of one gold bar) can be exchanged on the market, as assets having value per se.

The reward for a transaction involving such tokens will be equal to the value of the corresponding quantity of gold at the moment of the transaction. That value may be expressed in terms of traditional currency (e.g. USD, Eur, etc.) or in terms of a cryptocurrency (e.g. Ether).

In this way, a stablecoin based on gold is created: differently from strictly cryptographic currencies, these tokens have a more stable value, which is - as said - based on the price of gold. This allows transactions to be less risky (i.e. involving an extremely highly predictable value), as the price of gold will typically undergo no significant variations in the time span in which the transaction occurs.

The Applicant observes that, in this context, a stablecoin can be defined as a cryptocurrency that is designed to maintain a stable price over time, in particular having a market value that is pegged to an external (stable value) reference.

In view of the above, the value of each token can be expressed in terms of a determined cryptocurrency.

In fact, typically, gold value is expressed based on a reference currency (e.g. United States Dollar, USD). The same applies also to most common cryptocurrencies, such as for example Ether.

Thus, given a certain price of gold (e.g. 50,00 USD per gram) and a certain value of Ether (1 Ether = 4.500,00 USD), a token which correspond to 10 grams of gold will have a value of 50,00 I 4.500,00 = 0,11 Ether.

Put briefly, the present invention also allows to sell/purchase gold in exchange for a cryptocurrency, in an easy, secure and reliable way.

The Applicant notes that the present invention provides a significant improvement in the so-called fintech field.

Indeed, as know, fintech is a recently developing field in which both financial and technological innovation take place. In the present context, an innovative way to manage and track precious metal bars (such as gold ingots) is proposed, which relies on a peculiar usage of QR. codes and distributed ledger (blockchain) technology. Furthermore, tokens based on the distributed ledger can lead to the creation of a stablecoin whose value is pegged to the price of gold, thereby preventing risky and almost always undesired value fluctuations during transactions.

Claims

1. Electronic platform for handling precious metal bars, comprising a processor (100a) and a memory (100b) associated with said processor (100a), wherein said processor (100a) is configured to: receive from one or more electronic devices (120) a plurality of reading signals (Al), each representative of a respective QR code applied to a respective precious metal bar, said respective QR. code being representative of data descriptive of the respective precious metal bar; generate a plurality of tokens, each comprising a respective of said QR codes; send token registration signals (A2) to a distributed ledger (130), to register in the distributed ledger each token in association with respective first property data; receive a subscription request signal (A3) from a user device (140); in response to said subscription request signal (A3), transmit to said user device (140) a subscription acceptance signal (A4); receive from said user device (140) a payment signal (A5) corresponding to a value of one or more of said precious metal bars; receive from said user device (140) an ownership signal (A6) including second property data; transmit to the user device (140) a token signal (A7) including the token/s corresponding to said payment; transmit to said distributed ledger (130) a transfer registration signal (A8) for registration in said distributed ledger (130) of the ownership transfer of said token/s according to said second property data.

2. Electronic platform according to claim 1 wherein said data descriptive of the precious metal bar include one or more of the following: dimensions; weight; value; material.

3. Electronic platform according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said precious metal comprises one or more of the following: gold; silver.

4. Electronic platform according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said processor (100a) is further configured to: receive from said user device (140) a purchase signal, including a payment of a predetermined amount, corresponding to a part of the value of one of said precious metal bars, along with third property data; in response to said purchase signal, transmit to said user device (140) a token corresponding to said predetermined amount; transmit to said distributed ledger (130) a transfer signal for registering in said distributed ledger (130) the transfer of said token to said user device (140).

5. Electronic platform according to claim 4, wherein said processor is further configured to: receive from said user device (140) a transfer request for transferring to said user device (140) a token corresponding to one precious metal bar in exchange for multiple tokens having value smaller than said one precious metal bar; verify that the sum of the values of said multiple tokens corresponds to the value of said one precious metal bar; receive from said user device (140) said multiple tokens; transmit to said user device (140) the token corresponding to said one precious metal bar.

6. Method for handling precious metal bars, comprising: providing a plurality of precious metal bars; applying a QR code onto each of said precious metal bars, said QR code being representative of data descriptive of the respective precious metal bar; activating an electronic device (120) for reading each of said QR codes; for each precious metal bar, generating a token including the respective QR code; storing each token in a distributed ledger (130) in association with first property data, the latter being representative of a first owner of the precious metal bar; receiving second property data, representative of a second owner to which a given precious metal bar is to be transferred; receiving payment data representative of a determined payment from said second owner; storing in said distributed ledger (130) an ownership transaction of said given precious metal bar, represented by the respective QR code, from the first owner to the second owner.

7. Method according to claim 6 wherein said data descriptive of the gold bar include one or more of the following: dimensions; weight; value; material.

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8. Method according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said precious metal comprises one or more of the following: gold; silver.

9. Method according to anyone of claims 6-8, further comprising: receiving a purchase signal, including a payment of a predetermined amount, corresponding to a part of the value of one of said precious metal bars, along with third property data; in response to said purchase signal, transmitting a token corresponding to said predetermined amount; transmitting to said distributed ledger (130) a transfer signal for registering in said distributed ledger (130) the transfer of said token to the entity represented by said third property data.

10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising: receiving from a user device (140) a transfer request for transferring to said user device (140) a token corresponding to one precious metal bar in exchange for multiple tokens having value smaller than said one precious metal bar; verifying that the sum of the values of said multiple tokens corresponds to the value of said one precious metal bar; receiving from said user device (140) said multiple tokens; transmitting to said user device (140) the token corresponding to said one precious metal bar.

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