Kiosk-based systems and methods for selling cryptocurrencies

Abstract

A method for selling a cryptocurrency via a consumer-operated kiosk is provided. In some embodiments, the method: displays to a user, via a user interface, one or more options to purchase one or more cryptocurrencies; receives from the user, via the user interface, a selection of one of the cryptocurrencies; obtains a cryptocurrency exchange rate from a cryptocurrency exchange; presents the exchange rate to the user via the user interface; receives from the user payment for the selected cryptocurrency via a bill acceptor; purchases the selected cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency exchange in an amount based on a value of the received payment and the exchange rate; and displays to the user, via the user interface, a receipt having a redemption code and a personal identification number (PIN), wherein both the redemption code and the PIN are necessary to obtain the selected cryptocurrency.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A system for selling cryptocurrency, comprising:
 a consumer-operated kiosk having:
 a user interface; 
 a funds input region configured to receive cash and/or coins; 
 a first processor; and 
 a first non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing first computer-executable instructions executable by the first processor; and 
   a first remote computer having a second processor and a second non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing second computer-executable instructions executable by the second processor;   wherein execution of the first computer-executable instructions by the first processor causes the first processor to control the consumer-operated kiosk to:
 display to a user, via the user interface, one or more options to purchase one or more cryptocurrencies; 
 receive from the user, via the user interface, a selection of one of the one or more cryptocurrencies; 
 receive from the user, via the funds input region, payment for the selected cryptocurrency in the form of cash and/or coins; 
 send a request to the first remote computer to purchase the selected cryptocurrency from a cryptocurrency exchange in an amount based at least in part on a value of the received payment; 
 associate the purchase of the selected cryptocurrency with a first unique code and a second unique code, and 
 transmit to the user, and/or display to the user via the user interface, the first unique code and the second unique code; 
   wherein execution of the second computer-executable instructions by the second processor causes the second processor to control the first remote computer to:
 receive, from a second remote computer, the second unique code, wherein the second unique code is received from the second remote computer following receipt of the first unique code and the second unique code by the second remote computer; and 
 verify the second unique code to verify the user and/or the purchase of the selected cryptocurrency; and 
   wherein the purchased cryptocurrency is transferred to a cryptocurrency wallet of the user at least partially in response to the second remote computer verifying the first unique code and the first remote computer verifying the second unique code.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein execution of the first computer-executable instructions by the first processor further causes the first processor to control the consumer-operated kiosk to:
 send, in response to receiving the user selection and before receiving payment from the user, a request to the first remote computer to obtain a cryptocurrency exchange rate; 
 in response to sending the request, receive the cryptocurrency exchange rate via the first remote computer; and 
 present the cryptocurrency exchange rate to the user, 
 wherein the amount of the purchased cryptocurrency is further based at least in part on the cryptocurrency exchange rate. 
 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37  wherein execution of the first computer-executable instructions by the first processor further causes the first processor to control the consumer-operated kiosk to provide the user with directions for obtaining the purchased cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency exchange. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the directions direct the user to access a cryptocurrency exchange website associated with the cryptocurrency exchange via a personal electronic device and input both the first unique code and the second unique code via the website to obtain the purchased cryptocurrency. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the first unique code is stored at the second remote computer and the second unique code is stored at the first remote computer. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the first unique code and the second unique code are computer-generated. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the first unique code is computer-generated, and wherein the second unique code is input to the consumer-operated kiosk by the user via the user interface. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the first unique code is a redemption code and the second unique code is a PIN. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the funds input region includes a bill acceptor, and wherein the payment is paper bills. 
     
     
         46 . A method for selling cryptocurrency via a system, the system including (i) a consumer-operated kiosk having a user interface, a funds input region, and a first processor, and (ii) a first remote computer having a second processor, the method comprising:
 displaying to a user, by the first processor and via the user interface, one or more options to purchase one or more cryptocurrencies;   receiving from the user, via the user interface, a selection of one of the cryptocurrencies;   receiving payment from the user, in the form of cash and/or coins and via the funds input region, for the selected cryptocurrency;   sending a request, from the first processor to the first remote computer, to purchase the selected cryptocurrency from a cryptocurrency exchange in an amount based at least in part on a value of the received payment;   associating, by at least one of the first processor or the second processor, the purchase of the selected cryptocurrency with a first unique code and a second unique code;   transmitting to the user, by the first processor, and/or displaying to the user, by the first processor and via the user interface, the first unique code and the second unique code;   receiving, by the second processor and from a second remote computer, the second unique code, wherein the second unique code is received by the second processor following receipt of the first unique code and the second unique code by the second remote computer;   verifying, by the second processor, the second unique code, wherein verifying the second unique code verifies the user and/or the purchase of the selected cryptocurrency; and   sending confirmation of the verification of the second unique code to the second remote computer,   wherein the purchased cryptocurrency is transferred to the cryptocurrency wallet of the user at least partially in response to verification of the first unique code and the second unique code.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the method further comprises:
 sending, by the first processor and in response to receiving the user selection and before receiving payment from the user, a request to the first remote computer to obtain a cryptocurrency exchange rate; 
 in response to sending the request, receiving, by the first processor, the cryptocurrency exchange rate via the first remote computer; and 
 presenting, by the first processor, the cryptocurrency exchange rate to the user, 
 wherein the amount of the purchased cryptocurrency is further based at least in part on the cryptocurrency exchange rate. 
 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising providing, by the first processor, the user with instructions for obtaining the purchased cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency exchange. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the instructions direct the user to access a cryptocurrency exchange website associated with the cryptocurrency exchange via a personal electronic device and input both the first unique code and the second unique code via the website to obtain the purchased cryptocurrency. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the first unique code is stored at the second remote computer and the second unique code is stored at the first remote computer. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the first unique code and the second unique code are computer-generated. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the first unique code is computer-generated, and wherein the second unique code is input to the consumer-operated kiosk by the user via the user interface. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the first unique code is a redemption code and the second unique code is a PIN. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the funds input region includes a bill acceptor, and wherein receiving the payment from the user via the funds input region comprises receiving paper bills. 
     
     
         55 . A method for completing a cryptocurrency transaction initiated by a user at a consumer-operated kiosk, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a processor of a computing system associated with a cryptocurrency exchange, and from a personal computing device of the user, a first unique code and a second unique code, wherein both the first unique code and the second unique code are associated with the cryptocurrency transaction initiated by the user at the consumer-operated kiosk;   verifying, by the processor, the first unique code, wherein verifying the first unique code verifies the user and/or receipt of payment for the cryptocurrency transaction;   sending, by the processor, the second unique code to a remote computer associated with an operator of the consumer-operated kiosk;   receiving, by the processor and from the remote computer, an indication that the second unique code was verified by the remote computer; and   after verifying the first unique code and receiving the indication of verification of the second unique code, completing the cryptocurrency transaction by transferring purchased cryptocurrency to a cryptocurrency wallet of the user.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising, before receiving the first unique code and the second unique code form the personal computing device of the user:
 receiving, by the processor and from the remote computer, a request to purchase selected cryptocurrency in an amount based at least in part on a value of funds received at the consumer-operated kiosk;   purchasing, by the processor, the amount of cryptocurrency;   associating, by the processor, the purchase of the cryptocurrency with the first unique code; and   sending, by the processor, the first unique code to the remote computer.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein associating the purchase of the cryptocurrency with the first unique code includes generating the first unique code. 
     
     
         58 . A computing system for completing a cryptocurrency transaction initiated by a user at a consumer-operated kiosk, the computing system comprising:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions executable by the processor,   wherein execution of the computer-executable instructions by the processor causes the processor to control the computing system to:
 receive, from a personal computing device of the user, a first unique code and a second unique code, wherein both the first unique code and the second unique code are associated with the cryptocurrency transaction initiated by the user at the consumer-operated kiosk, 
 verify the first unique code to verify the user and/or receipt of payment for the cryptocurrency transaction, 
 send the second unique code to a remote computer associated with an operator of the consumer-operated kiosk, 
 receive, from the remote computer, an indication that the second unique code was verified by the remote computer, and 
 after verifying the first unique code and receiving the indication of verification of the second unique code, complete the cryptocurrency transaction by transferring purchased cryptocurrency to a cryptocurrency wallet of the user. 
   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58  wherein execution of the computer-executable instructions by the processor further causes the computing system, before receiving the first unique code and the second unique code form the personal computing device of the user, to:
 receive, by the processor and from the remote computer, a request to purchase selected cryptocurrency in an amount based at least in part on a value of funds received at the consumer-operated kiosk; 
 purchase, by the processor, the amount of cryptocurrency; 
 associate, by the processor, the purchase of the cryptocurrency with the first unique code; and 
 send, by the processor, the first unique code to the remote computer. 
 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59  wherein the operation of associating the purchase of the cryptocurrency with the first unique code includes generating the first unique code.