Block, Inc.
Payment network using tradable financial assets

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for payment associated with a transaction between a merchant and a customer, where a payment amount is specified in a fiat currency, determining a preference of the customer to pay for the transaction using a security asset, and verifying that a value of the security asset held by the payment system and assigned to the customer is sufficient to satisfy the payment amount. The method also includes initiating a transfer of at least a portion of the value of the security asset from a customer balance of the customer to a service balance of the payment service, initiating a transfer of a value in the fiat currency from the service balance of the payment service to a merchant balance of the merchant, and storing a record of the transaction between the customer and the merchant.