AUTOMATED FOREX FUNCTION IN AN ASSET STORAGE AND TRANSFER SYSTEM

1 . In a secure asset storage and transfer system comprising a first storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value denominated in a first currency and a second storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value denominated in a second currency different from the first currency, a method of enabling secure exchange of asset value from the first storage media to the second storage media, the method comprising:

providing a FOREX system comprising at least a third storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value amounts denominated in the first currency and a fourth storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value amounts denominated in the second currency;

determining a first asset value amount, denominated in the second currency, to be transferred to the second storage media;

sending a request to the FOREX system to determine a third asset value amount denominated in the first currency, based on a second asset value amount denominated in the second currency;

controlling the first storage media to transfer the third asset value amount to the third storage media; and

controlling the fourth storage media to transfer the second asset value amount to the second storage media.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second asset value amounts are equal.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first asset value amount is different from the second asset value amount.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the second asset value amount is calculated by adding a surcharge to the first asset value amount.

5 . A secure asset storage and transfer system comprising:

a first storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value denominated in a first currency;

a second storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value denominated in a second currency different from the first currency;

a FOREX system comprising at least a third storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value amounts denominated in the first currency and a fourth storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value amounts denominated in the second currency;

a first processor determining a first asset value amount, denominated in the second currency, to be transferred to the second storage media;

the first processor sending a request to the FOREX system to determine a third asset value amount denominated in the first currency, based on a second asset value amount denominated in the second currency;

a second processor controlling the first storage media to transfer the third asset value amount to the third storage media; and

the FOREX system controlling the fourth storage media to transfer the second asset value amount to the second storage media.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first processor is a point of sale terminal.

7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second asset value amounts are equal.

8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first asset value amount is different from the second asset value amount.

9 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the second asset value amount is calculated by adding a surcharge to the first asset value amount.

10 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the FOREX system comprises:

a FOREX server; and

a plurality of storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value amounts denominated in respective different currencies.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the FOREX server is configured to:

receive, from the first processor, a first value transfer message containing a first asset value denominated in a first currency;

control a first one of the plurality of storage media to store the first asset value;

control a second one of the plurality of storage media to generate a second value transfer message containing a second asset value denominated in a second currency; and

send the second value transfer message to the first processor.

12 . An automated foreign exchange system comprising:

a plurality of storage media configured to securely store and transfer asset value amounts denominated in a respective different currencies; and

a FOREX server configured to:

receive, from a first system, a first value transfer message containing a first asset value denominated in a first currency;

control a first one of the plurality of storage media to store the first asset value;

control a second one of the plurality of storage media to generate a second value transfer message containing a second asset value denominated in a second currency; and

send the second value transfer message to the first system.

13 . The automated foreign exchange system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the FOREX server is further configured to:

receive, from the first system, a first request message containing a third asset value denominated in the second currency, and an identifier of the first currency;

calculate the first asset value using the third asset value; and

send to the first system a second request message containing the first asset value denominated in the first currency.

14 . The automated foreign exchange system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the first system is a point of sale terminal.