Tokenization platform

Abstract

Systems, methods, platforms, and devices that generate, store, transact, transfer, exchange, and/or otherwise process digital tokens are described. In embodiments, systems, methods, platforms, and devices obtain an identifier for an item that includes a set of item attributes, generate a digital token including a set of digital attributes that correspond to the set of item attributes, and cryptographically link the digital token to one or more units of the item. The digital token may be transferred, exchanged, redeemed, or otherwise transacted, which provides both the flexibility and convenience of virtual item transactions and the reliability and value of physical item transactions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for generating a digital token that uniquely represents an item comprising:
 obtaining, by a processing system of a tokenization platform, a unique identifier for a unique unit of the item, the item having a set of item attributes;   generating, by a cryptographic token generation system, a unique digital token including a set of digital attributes that correspond to the set of item attributes; and   cryptographically linking, by a linking system, the unique digital token and the unique identifier for the unique unit of the item such that the unique digital token provides a unique digital representation of the unique unit of the item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item is a real-world object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the real-world object is a consumer product or a unique instance of a digital item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the real-world item is a gift card and the set of digital attributes of the gift card include a merchant with which the gift card is redeemable and a redeemable value. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the item is already in existence. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the unique digital token is redeemable for fulfillment of the unit of the consumer product. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the item has a defined type and a defined set of characteristics but is not yet in existence. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , the unique digital token is redeemable for fulfillment of creation and delivery of the consumer product. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token is redeemable for a right to possess the item. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein possession of the unique digital token represents ownership of the item. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item is a gift card and the unique digital token represents a right to redeem the gift card. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token is transferable. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein transfer of the unique digital token is executable by sending the unique digital token from a digital wallet of an owner of the unique digital token to another user via a messaging interface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein transfer of the unique digital token is executable by sending the unique digital token from a digital wallet of an owner of the unique digital token to another user via an email interface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of item attributes includes a set of physical attributes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein set of the item attributes includes a set of origination attributes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the set of origination attributes includes limited-edition attributes, celebrity-signature attributes, certification of originality attributes, location of origin attributes, certification of ethical production attributes, or creator attributes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of digital attributes of the unique digital token includes a data structure that represents the set of item attributes and supports one or more of a visual representation of the item, an animation of the item, or an image of the item. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the unique digital token on a distributed ledger, wherein the distributed ledger stores ownership data of the unique that indicates an owner of the token. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method further includes burning the unique digital token in response to the owner redeeming the unique digital token to obtain the item. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein burning the unique digital token includes updating the ownership data of the unique digital token to indicate that the token is no longer owned. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token is a non-fungible token.