SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING AN ACTION ON A DIGITAL ASSET

A computer system comprises a communications module; a processor coupled to the communications module; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed, configure the processor to receive, via the communications module, a signal that includes an ownership key associated with a digital asset minted on a payment card network; store the ownership key associated with the digital asset in a digital wallet; send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a request to perform an action on the digital asset using the ownership key; receive, via the communications module and from the payment card network, a signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset; and perform the action.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing an action on a digital asset.

BACKGROUND

A blockchain network may handle the creation and transfer of digital assets. In some cases, the digital asset may include a token that corresponds to a real-world asset or item.

It is often difficult to manage and track these real-world assets or items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Accordingly, in an aspect there is provided a computer system comprising a communications module; a processor coupled to the communications module; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed, configure the processor to receive, via the communications module, a signal that includes an ownership key associated with a digital asset minted on a payment card network; store the ownership key associated with the digital asset in a digital wallet; send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a request to perform an action on the digital asset using the ownership key; receive, via the communications module and from the payment card network, a signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset; and perform the action.

In one or more embodiments, the action includes printing a physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the processor-executable instructions, when executed, further configure the processor to engage a printer to print the physical representation of the digital asset; and send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes metadata identifying the printer used to print the physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the processor-executable instructions, when executed, further configure the processor to send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes metadata associated with the action performed on the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the processor-executable instructions, when executed, further configure the processor to send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a digital address of the digital wallet.

In one or more embodiments, the processor-executable instructions, when executed, further configure the processor to assign the ownership key associated with the digital asset to a delegate digital wallet; and send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a digital address of the delegate digital wallet.

In one or more embodiments, the digital asset is minted by a payment card provider and includes specifications defining one or more characteristics of a physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the action includes printing the physical representation of the digital asset according to the one or more characteristics.

In one or more embodiments, the payment card network includes a blockchain network.

In one or more embodiments, the signal that includes the request to perform the action includes the ownership key associated with the digital asset, a digital address of the digital wallet that stores the ownership key, and a digital address of a device that is to be used to perform the action.

According to another aspect there is provided a computer-implemented method comprising receiving, via a communications module, a signal that includes an ownership key associated with a digital asset minted on a payment card network; storing the ownership key associated with the digital asset in a digital wallet; sending, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a request to perform an action on the digital asset using the ownership key; receiving, via the communications module and from the payment card network, a signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset; and performing the action.

In one or more embodiments, the action includes printing a physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises engaging a printer to print the physical representation of the digital asset; and sending, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes metadata identifying the printer used to print the physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises sending, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes metadata associated with the action performed on the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises sending, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a digital address of the digital wallet.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises assigning the ownership key associated with the digital asset to a delegate digital wallet; and sending, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a digital address of the delegate digital wallet.

In one or more embodiments, the digital asset is minted by a payment card provider and includes specifications defining one or more characteristics of a physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the action includes printing the physical representation of the digital asset according to the one or more characteristics.

In one or more embodiments, the signal that includes the request to perform the action includes the ownership key associated with the digital asset, a digital address of the digital wallet that stores the ownership key, and a digital address of a device that is to be used to perform the action.

According to another aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor of a computing system cause the computing system to receive, via a communications module, a signal that includes an ownership key associated with a digital asset minted on a payment card network; store the ownership key associated with the digital asset in a digital wallet; send, via the communications module and to the payment card network, a signal that includes a request to perform an action on the digital asset using the ownership key; receive, via the communications module and from the payment card network, a signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset; and perform the action.

In the present application, the phrase “at least one of . . . and . . . ” is intended to cover any one or more of the listed elements, including any one of the listed elements alone, any sub-combination, or all of the elements, without necessarily excluding any additional elements, and without necessarily requiring all of the elements.

In the present application, a “digital asset” refers to one or more assets that are in digital format and that come with the right to use. A digital asset is self-contained, uniquely identifiable, and is associated with a defined value or ability to use. Examples of digital assets include, among others, digital documents, multimedia files (e.g., photos, audiovisual media, animations, etc.), electronic mails, websites, cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, asset-backed tokens, non-fungible tokens, etc.

FIG.1is a schematic operation diagram illustrating an operating environment of an example embodiment of a system100for sending an indication that a digital receipt is to be provided for a purchase made on a payment card.

As shown inFIG.1, the system100includes a server computer system110and a computer system120coupled to one another through a network130. The server computer system110and the computer system120may be in geographically disparate locations. Put differently, the server computer system110and the computer system120may be located remote from one another.

The server computer system110is a computer server system. A computer server system may, for example, be a mainframe computer, a minicomputer, or the like. In some implementations thereof, a computer server system may be formed of or may include one or more computing devices. A computer server system may include and/or may communicate with multiple computing devices such as, for example, database servers, computer servers, and the like. Multiple computing devices such as these may be in communication using a computer network and may communicate to act in cooperation as a computer server system. For example, such computing devices may communicate using a local-area network (LAN). In some embodiments, a computer server system may include multiple computing devices organized in a tiered arrangement. For example, a computer server system may include middle tier and back-end computing devices. In some embodiments, a computer server system may be a cluster formed of a plurality of interoperating computing devices.

The server computer system110may be associated with a payment card provider. The server computer system110may have resident thereon a digital wallet that allows for interacting with the blockchain. The digital wallet may allow the server computer system110to mint one or more digital assets and to transfer ownership keys to one or more digital wallets resident on computer systems that are associated with financial institutions.

The computer system120is a computing device such as for example a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a hand-held computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable navigation device, a mobile phone, a wearable computing device (e.g., a smart watch, a wearable activity monitor, wearable smart jewelry, and glasses and other optical devices that include optical head-mounted displays), an embedded computing device (e.g., in communication with a smart textile or electronic fabric), and any other type of computing device that may be configured to store data and software instructions, and execute software instructions to perform operations consistent with disclosed embodiments.

The computer system120may be associated with a financial institution. The computer system120may have resident thereon include a digital wallet. The digital wallet may be a standalone mobile application, a web application accessible via a web browser, or a desktop application. The digital wallet is an application that may be used to store and transfer various types of data such as for example ownership keys (e.g., public and/or private keys) that may be used to access one or more digital assets.

Although not shown, the computer system120may be connected to one or more other computer systems that may also have resident thereon a digital wallet. The computer system120may be connected to the one or more other computer systems through the network130and/or through a private network such as for example an intranet. The computer system120may assign or delegate one or more ownership keys to a delegate digital wallet that is resident on the one or more other computer systems.

The computer system120may be connected to a device140. The computer system120may be connected to the device140via the network130and/or through a private network such as for example an intranet. As will be described in more detail below, the device140may include a device that is used to perform an action on a digital asset.

The network130is a computer network and may be referred to as a payment card network. As shown inFIG.2, the network130may include a blockchain network200. The blockchain network200may be created by, for example, the server computer system110. Distributed electronic devices running an instance of the blockchain protocol under which the blockchain network200operates may participate in the blockchain network200. Such distributed electronic devices may be referred to as nodes202. As examples, the blockchain protocol may be Ethereum, Bitcoin, or another blockchain protocol.

The electronic devices that run the blockchain protocol and that form the nodes202of the blockchain network200may be of various types including, for example, computers such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, mobile devices such as smartphones, wearable computers such as smart watches or other electronic devices.

Nodes202of the blockchain network200are coupled to one another using suitable communication technologies which may include wired and wireless communication technologies. In many cases, the blockchain network200is implemented at least partly over the Internet, and some of the nodes202may be located in geographically dispersed locations.

Nodes202maintain a global ledger of all transactions on the blockchain, grouped into blocks, each of which contains a hash of the previous block in the chain. The global ledger is a distributed ledger and each node202may store a complete copy or a partial copy of the global ledger. Transactions propagated on the network are verified by other nodes202prior to inclusion in a mined block so that the validity of the global ledger is maintained. The details of implementing and operating a blockchain network, such as one using the Ethereum protocol, will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Each transaction may include one or more inputs and one or more outputs. Scripts may be embedded into the inputs and outputs that specify how and by whom the outputs of the transactions can be used or transferred. The output of a transaction may be an address to which a digital asset is assigned as a result of the transaction. The address may include the address of a digital wallet. In some implementations, that digital asset is then associated with that output address, for example as an unspent transaction output (UTXO). A subsequent transaction may then reference that address as an input in order to transfer or otherwise use that digital asset. In some cases, like Ethereum, code in the form of smart contracts may be deployed on the blockchain and may be called or referenced by later transactions to cause the network to execute that code. In this manner, a transaction may cause the network to carry out certain functions, such as the generation (minting) of a digital asset or validating and effecting the transfer of a digital asset from one owner address to a new owner address.

Nodes202can fulfill numerous different functions, from network routing to wallet services, to maintaining a robust and secure decentralized public ledger. In some implementations, “full nodes” contain a complete and up-to-date copy of the blockchain, and can therefore verify any transactions (spent or unspent) on the public ledger. “Lightweight nodes” (sometimes referred to as simplified payment verification (SPV) in Bitcoin) do not include a copy of the blockchain but can validate transactions and confirm inclusion of a transaction in a particular block by using a Merkle proof. In some cases, lightweight nodes only download the headers of blocks, and not the transactions within each block. “Mining nodes” engage in the proof-of-work (or proof-of-stake in some cases) activity to race to validate a candidate block and propagate the solution on the network, thereby building the blockchain. Nodes202may communicate with each other using a connection-oriented protocol, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol).

The blockchain network200may store digital assets and metadata associated with the digital assets. The digital assets are unique and have blockchain-based authenticity, ownership, and transferability features. The unique identity and ownership of a digital asset is verifiable using the blockchain ledger. Any actions performed on the digital assets may be recorded as metadata and as such any actions performed on a digital asset may be tracked and/or verified.

Referring now toFIG.3, a high-level operation diagram of an example computer device300is shown. In some embodiments, the computer device300may be exemplary of the server computer system110(FIG.1) and/or the computer system120(FIG.1).

The example computer device300includes a variety of modules. For example, as illustrated, the example computer device300may include a processor310, a memory320, a communications module330, and/or a storage module340. As illustrated, the foregoing example modules of the example computer device300are in communication over a bus350.

The processor310is a hardware processor. The processor310may, for example, be one or more ARM, Intel x86, PowerPC processors or the like.

The memory320allows data to be stored and retrieved. The memory320may include, for example, random access memory, read-only memory, and persistent storage. Persistent storage may be, for example, flash memory, a solid-state drive or the like. Read-only memory and persistent storage are a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable medium may be organized using a file system such as may be administered by an operating system governing overall operation of the example computer device300.

The communications module330allows the example computer device300to communicate with other computer or computing devices and/or various communications networks. For example, the communications module330may allow the example computer device300to send or receive communications signals. Communications signals may be sent or received according to one or more protocols or according to one or more standards. For example, the communications module330may allow the example computer device300to communicate via a cellular data network, such as for example, according to one or more standards such as, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), Long-term Evolution (LTE) or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the communications module330may allow the example computer device300to communicate using near-field communication (NFC), via Wi-Fi™, using Bluetooth™ or via some combination of one or more networks or protocols. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the communications module330may be integrated into a component of the example computer device300. For example, the communications module may be integrated into a communications chipset. In some embodiments, the communications module330may be omitted such as, for example, if sending and receiving communications is not required in a particular application.

The storage module340allows the example computer device300to store and retrieve data. In some embodiments, the storage module340may be formed as a part of the memory320and/or may be used to access all or a portion of the memory320. Additionally or alternatively, the storage module340may be used to store and retrieve data from persisted storage other than the persisted storage (if any) accessible via the memory320. In some embodiments, the storage module340may be used to store and retrieve data in a database. A database may be stored in persisted storage. Additionally or alternatively, the storage module340may access data stored remotely such as, for example, as may be accessed using a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), and/or a storage area network (SAN). In some embodiments, the storage module340may access data stored remotely using the communications module330. In some embodiments, the storage module340may be omitted and its function may be performed by the memory320and/or by the processor310in concert with the communications module330such as, for example, if data is stored remotely. The storage module may also be referred to as a data store.

Software comprising instructions is executed by the processor310from a computer-readable medium. For example, software may be loaded into random-access memory from persistent storage of the memory320. Additionally or alternatively, instructions may be executed by the processor310directly from read-only memory of the memory320.

FIG.4depicts a simplified organization of software components stored in the memory320of the example computer device300(FIG.3). As illustrated, these software components include an operating system400and an application410.

The operating system400is software. The operating system400allows the application410to access the processor310(FIG.3), the memory320, and the communications module330of the example computer device300(FIG.3). The operating system400may be, for example, Google™ Android™, Apple™ iOS™, UNIX™, Linux™, Microsoft™ Windows™, Apple OSX™ or the like.

The application410adapts the example computer device300, in combination with the operating system400, to operate as a device performing a particular function. For example, the application410may cooperate with the operating system400to adapt a suitable embodiment of the example computer device300to operate as the server computer system110(FIG.1) and/or the computer system120(FIG.1).

While a single application410is illustrated inFIG.3, in operation the memory320may include more than one application410and different applications410may perform different operations. For example, in at least some embodiments in which the computer device300is functioning as the computer system120, the applications410may include a digital wallet application. The digital wallet is an application that may be used to store and transfer various types of data such as for example ownership keys (e.g., public and/or private keys) that may be used to access one or more digital assets that may be stored on, for example, the blockchain network200.

In one or more embodiments, the server computer system110mints digital assets which are then stored on a payment card network which may include a blockchain network. “Minting” a digital asset includes converting a digital file into a digital asset and storing the digital asset on the payment card network. Once stored, an ownership key associated with the digital asset is created or obtained. The ownership key is used to access the digital asset on the payment card network. The ownership key may include or may be referred to as a private key.

In one or more embodiments, the digital asset may include specifications that define one or more characteristics of a physical representation of the digital asset. For example, the physical representation of the digital asset may include a physical payment card and as such the specifications may define characteristics such as for example a size of the physical payment card, a design of the physical payment card (colours, logos, etc.), a card number of the physical payment card, etc.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the specifications may be pre-defined by the computer system120. For example, the computer system120may be associated with a financial institution and as such specifications such as for example the design of the physical payment card may be based on a design created by the financial institution. In this example, the server computer system110may store a template digital file that includes the design of the physical payment card and this may be used to generate the digital file prior to minting the digital asset for the financial institution.

In one or more embodiments, the digital asset may include instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform an action. For example, the digital asset may include instructions that, when executed by a processor of a three-dimensional printer, cause the three-dimensional printer to perform operations to print a physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the digital asset may be minted by the server computer system110at the request of the computer system120. For example, the financial institution associated with the computer system120may require that one or more digital assets be minted by the server computer system110and in response the server computer system110may mint the requested digital assets.

Once a digital asset has been minted, operations may be performed to perform an action on the digital asset.

Reference is made toFIG.5which illustrates, in flowchart form, a method500for performing an operation on a digital asset. The method500may be implemented by a computing device having suitable processor-executable instructions for causing the computing device to carry out the described operations. The method500may be implemented, in whole or in part, by the computer system120.

The method500includes receiving a signal that includes an ownership key associated with a digital asset minted on a payment card network and storing the ownership key associated with the digital asset in a digital wallet (step510).

The ownership key may include, for example, a hash or a private key that may be used to access the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the signal that includes the ownership key associated with the digital asset minted on the payment card network may be received from the server computer system110. In this embodiment, responsive to minting the digital asset on the payment card network, the server computer system110may obtain the ownership key associated with the digital asset within the digital wallet resident thereon. The server computer system110may transfer the ownership key to the digital wallet resident on the computer system120and this may be done using, for example, a digital address of the digital wallet resident on the computer system120.

The payment card network may record the transfer. For example, the computer system120and/or the server computer system110may send a signal that includes a digital address of the digital wallet resident on the computer system120. The payment card network may store or indicate the digital address of the digital wallet of the computer system120as the owner of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the signal that includes the ownership key associated with the digital asset minted on the payment card network may be received from the payment card network. In this embodiment, responsive to storing the digital asset on the payment card network, the payment card network may assign the digital asset to the digital wallet resident on the computer system120and this may be done using, for example, a digital address of the digital wallet resident on the computer system120. The digital address may be provided to the payment card network by, for example, the server computer system110.

Responsive to receiving the ownership key, the computer system120stores the ownership key in the digital wallet.

The method500includes sending, to the payment card network, a signal that includes a request to perform an action on the digital asset using the ownership key (step520).

In one or more embodiments, an action may be performed on the digital asset. Prior to performing the action, the computer system120may require permission to perform the action on the digital asset. As such, the computer system120may send a signal that includes a request to perform an action on the digital asset using the ownership key. The signal includes the ownership key itself and this is provided as proof that the computer system120is the owner of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the signal that includes the request to perform the action on the digital asset may additionally include a digital address of the digital wallet that stores the ownership key and a digital address of a device that is to be used to perform the action.

In one or more embodiments, the action to be performed on the digital asset may include printing a physical representation of the digital asset.

The method500includes receiving, from the payment card network, a signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset (step530).

Responsive to receiving the signal that includes the request to perform the action on the digital asset, the payment card network may perform one or more checks prior to granting permission. The one or more checks may include determining that the ownership key is the correct ownership key of the digital asset, determining that the digital address of the digital wallet matches the digital address of the owner of the digital address that is recorded or stored on the payment card network, determining that the digital address of the device that is to be used to perform the action has not been flagged as a bad actor, and/or determining that the digital address of the digital wallet has not been flagged as a bad actor.

In the event one or more of the checks performed by the payment card network fail, the payment card network may reject the request and the computer system120may receive a signal that indicates the rejection. The signal may additionally indicate the reason for the rejection.

In the event all of the checks performed by the payment card network are successful, the payment card network may send the signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset and may perform operations to allow or enable the action to be performed on the digital asset.

It will be appreciated that the payment card network may consult or offload some of the operations required to perform the one or more checks to the server computer system110.

The method500includes performing the action (step540).

Responsive to receiving the signal that indicates permission for the action to be performed on the digital asset, the computer system120performs the action.

In one or more embodiments, the computer system120may engage the device140to perform the action. For example, the action may include printing a physical representation of the digital asset and the device140may be a printer. As such, the computer system120may engage the printer to print the physical representation of the digital asset.

As mentioned, in one or more embodiments the digital asset may include specifications defining one or more characteristics of a physical representation of the digital asset. As such, the computer system120may cause the printer to print the physical representation of the digital asset according to the one or more characteristics.

In one or more embodiments, responsive to the action being performed on the digital asset, the computer system120may send a signal to the payment card network that includes data or metadata associated with the action performed on the digital asset. The data or metadata may be stored on the payment card network in association with the digital asset. For example, the data or metadata may be written as metadata of the digital asset.

As one example, the digital asset may include specifications defining one or more characteristics of a physical payment card. As such, the printer may print a physical payment card according to the one or more characteristics. The physical payment card may include a chip that may be programmed to include the one or more characteristics of the physical payment card.

In one or more embodiments, the printer may include a three-dimensional printer that may be located at a branch associated with the financial institution that is associated with the computer system120. The three-dimensional printer itself may be connected to the payment card network and may include a digital address. Responsive to printing the physical representation of the digital asset, the digital address of the printer may be sent to the payment card network and written as metadata of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, the digital asset may include instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform an action. For example, the digital asset may include instructions that, when executed by a processor of a three-dimensional printer, cause the three-dimensional printer to perform operations to print a physical representation of the digital asset.

In one or more embodiments, wherein the digital asset includes one or more characteristics of a physical payment card, the digital asset may not include a payment card number. In these embodiments, the printer may engage or communicate with the server computer system110as the physical payment card is being printed and may, in real-time, receive the payment card number and may print the received payment card number on the physical payment card. Responsive to the physical payment card being printed, the printer and/or the server computer system110may send the payment card number to be written as metadata of the digital as set.

As mentioned, the ownership key associated with the digital asset may be stored in a digital wallet resident on the computer system120. In one or more embodiments, the computer system120may assign the ownership key associated with the digital asset to a delegate digital wallet and may send, to the payment card network, a signal that includes a digital address of the delegate digital wallet. In these embodiments, the delegate digital wallet may be resident on a computer system that is associated with, for example, an employee of the financial institution.

In embodiments described herein, the network130is described as including a blockchain network200. In one or more embodiments, the blockchain network200(or the payment card provider) may assign one or more blocks of the blockchain to a particular financial institution. For example, a particular number of blocks may be assigned to Financial Institution A. In this example, each time a digital asset is minted for the Financial Institution A, the digital asset may be stored on the blockchain on one of the blocks assigned to Financial Institution A. Only digital wallets that are known to be associated with Financial Institution A and that have the ownership key of a particular digital asset stored on a block associated with Financial Institution A may have read and action access to the digital asset. It will be appreciated that other financial institution may have, for example, read-only access to the blocks assigned to Financial Institution A. For example, Financial Institution B may have access to the blockchain but may have read-only access to any blocks on the blockchain associated with Financial Institution B. In this manner, a computer system associated with Financial Institution B may determine whether a particular physical payment card is fraudulent as will be described.

In one or more embodiments, the payment card provider may create multiple blockchains where each blockchain is associated with or assigned to a particular financial institution. In these embodiments, a particular financial institution may be provided read and action access to a particular blockchain and one or more other financial institutions may be assigned read-only access to the particular blockchain. In this manner, a computer system associated with the one or more other financial institutions may determine whether a particular physical payment card is fraudulent as will be described.

Reference is made toFIG.6which illustrates, in flowchart form, a method600for determining that a physical representation of a digital asset is fraudulent. The method600may be implemented by a computing device having suitable processor-executable instructions for causing the computing device to carry out the described operations. The method600may be implemented, in whole or in part, by the computer system120. Some of the operations may be offloaded or performed by, for example, the server computer system110.

The method600includes obtaining one or more characteristics of a physical representation of a digital asset (step610).

The computer system120may obtain characteristics of the physical representation of the digital asset.

For example, in embodiments where the physical representation of the digital asset is a physical payment card, the physical payment card may be inserted into an automated teller machine (ATM) and the ATM may obtain the characteristics of the physical payment card by, for example, scanning the physical payment card and/or reading the characteristics of the physical payment card from a chip included therewith. The characteristics may include an identifier such as a payment card number or digital address of a digital asset associated with the payment card. The ATM may communicate the characteristics to the computer system120. The payment card may be associated with the same financial institution of the computer system120or may be associated with a different financial institution that is a member of the payment card network.

The method600includes sending, to the network, a signal that includes the characteristics of the physical representation of the digital asset (step620).

The computer system120sends a signal that includes the characteristics of the physical representation of the digital asset. For example, in embodiments where the physical representation of the digital asset is a physical payment card, the characteristics may include an identifier of the payment card and as such the payment card network may identify the digital asset associated with the payment card using the identifier.

The method600includes determining that the physical representation of the digital asset is fraudulent (step630).

The characteristics of the physical representation of the digital asset may be compared to the digital asset. For example, the characteristics of the physical payment card may be compared to those stored as the digital asset on the payment card network. Responsive to determining that the characteristics of the physical payment card do not match those stored as the digital asset on the payment card network, it may be determined that the physical payment card is fraudulent.

Responsive to determining that the physical representation of the digital asset is fraudulent, the server computer system110and/or the computer system120may perform one or more mitigation actions. For example, the digital address of the digital wallet that stores the ownership key of the digital asset may be flagged as a bad actor. In this example, it may be assumed that the ownership key used to perform the action on the digital asset was fraudulent. As another example, the digital address of the device that was used to perform an action on the digital asset may be flagged as a bad actor.

In embodiments where the physical representation of the digital asset includes a physical payment card, the mitigation actions may include cancelling or re-issuing all physical payment cards that were printed from a particular digital wallet (that is now flagged as a bad actor) and/or a particular device (that is now flagged as a bad actor) as it may be assumed that any physical payment cards printed from the particular digital wallet or from the particular device cannot be trusted. Other mitigation actions may include adjusting or updating the template file that was used to generate the digital asset.

It will be appreciated that the physical representation of the digital asset may include, for example, a digital address of the digital asset stored on the payment network. In one or more embodiments, each time a payment or transaction is conducted using the payment card, the payment or transaction may be written on the payment network in association with the digital address of the digital asset and as such all payments and transactions completed using the physical representation of the digital asset may be recorded.

In one or more embodiments described herein, the digital asset is described as including specifications defining one or more characteristics of a physical representation of the digital asset. It will be appreciated that the digital asset may additionally include specifications defining one or more security features of the physical representation of the digital asset. For example, the physical representation of the digital asset may include a physical payment card and the digital asset may define security features such as for example a machine-readable indicium that includes an identifier such as for example a hash or other security code that may be printed or included on the physical representation of the digital asset for verification. It will be appreciated that the hash or other security code may also be written as metadata associated with the digital asset and may be readable from the payment card network for verification.

Although in embodiments described herein the payment card network is described as including a blockchain network, it will be appreciated that other types of networks may be used. For example, the payment card network may be cloud-based and or more cloud-based platforms may be used to store the digital assets.

The methods described above may be modified and/or operations of such methods combined to provide other methods.

It will be understood that the applications, modules, routines, processes, threads, or other software components implementing the described method/process may be realized using standard computer programming techniques and languages. The present application is not limited to particular processors, computer languages, computer programming conventions, data structures, or other such implementation details. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the described processes may be implemented as a part of computer-executable code stored in volatile or non-volatile memory, as part of an application-specific integrated chip (ASIC), etc.