Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss’ Winklevoss IP has won a patent application allowing it to settle exchange-traded products (ETPs) using cryptocurrencies, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) revealed Tuesday, May 8.
The successful patent application, which the twins originally filed in December 2017, outlines “systems, methods, and program products” for crypto-based asset trading.
The move marks another victory for Winklevoss IP this year, after the company also gained a patent tied to cryptocurrency security in February as part of its Gemini trading platform plans.
The description of the mechanism governed by the patent reads:
“The present invention generally relates to systems, methods, and program products for use with exchange traded products (‘ETPs’) holding digital assets and other products and/or services related to ETPs holding digital assets.”
A year ago, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected the Winklevoss’ application to launch a regulated Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), one of the instruments which falls under the bracket of ETPs.
The rejection caused uncertainty in markets at the time, while many sources suggested the application had come too soon and that authorities were yet to put measures in place to handle such innovation.
The founders have appeared not to give up on the idea, Wall Street since witnessing steps from finance giants such as Goldman Sachs and the New York Stock Exchange to launch Bitcoin-related products and services.
Winklevoss IP has amassed a total of five successful patents this year, according to data from Justia Patents.