Abstract: A method for initiating a virtual currency exchange includes a merchant computing device a) receiving a message including a user account identifier, payment credential data, and a request for an amount of virtual currency to be delivered; b) transmitting a message delivering the requested amount of virtual currency; and c) receiving a user assignment message that assigns to the merchant an amount of assigned virtual currency from the delivered virtual currency. Steps a, b, and c are performed while the merchant computing device is in a first physical location. The method also includes, subsequent to steps a, b, and c, connecting to a payment network while the merchant computing device is at a second physical location and transmitting, to a virtual currency payment system via the payment network, an assignment completion message including the user account identifier, a merchant account identifier associated with the merchant, and the assigned virtual currency.

Abstract: A method for initiating a virtual currency exchange includes a merchant computing device a) receiving a message including a user account identifier, payment credential data, and a request for an amount of virtual currency to be delivered; b) transmitting a message delivering the requested amount of virtual currency; and c) receiving a user assignment message that assigns to the merchant an amount of assigned virtual currency from the delivered virtual currency. Steps a, b, and c are performed while the merchant computing device is in a first physical location. The method also includes, subsequent to steps a, b, and c, connecting to a payment network while the merchant computing device is at a second physical location and transmitting, to a virtual currency payment system via the payment network, an assignment completion message including the user account identifier, a merchant account identifier associated with the merchant, and the assigned virtual currency.

Abstract: A mobile event payment (MEP) computing system used for exchanging virtual currency between a user and a merchant at a mobile event is provided. The MEP computing system includes a MEP computing device including a processor communicatively coupled to a memory device and in communication with at least a user device. The processor is programmed to store a user profile and a merchant profile for exchanging virtual currency, to receive a virtual currency delivery message, and to transmit a virtual currency delivery message to the user mobile device. The processor is programmed to receive a virtual currency payment message including an account identifier associated with the merchant, to electronically deduct the amount of virtual currency from the updated amount of virtual currency of user account, and to electronically add the paid virtual currency to the virtual currency of the account associated with the merchant profile.

Abstract: A mobile event payment (MEP) computing system used for exchanging virtual currency between a user and a merchant at a mobile event is provided. The MEP computing system includes a MEP computing device including a processor communicatively coupled to a memory device and in communication with at least a user device. The processor is programmed to store a user profile and a merchant profile for exchanging virtual currency, to receive a virtual currency delivery message, and to transmit a virtual currency delivery message to the user mobile device. The processor is programmed to receive a virtual currency payment message including an account identifier associated with the merchant, to electronically deduct the amount of virtual currency from the updated amount of virtual currency of user account, and to electronically add the paid virtual currency to the virtual currency of the account associated with the merchant profile.

Abstract: A method for processing a gift card request includes: receiving, by a receiving device, a gift card request, wherein the gift card request includes at least a merchant identifier, a gift amount, a payment account identifier, and a recipient; processing, by a processing device, a payment transaction for the gift amount from a payment account associated with the payment account identifier to a merchant account associated with the merchant identifier; identifying, by the processing device, a gift card number; associating, in a database, the identified gift card number with the merchant identifier and the gift amount such that payment transactions involving the identified gift card number are charged to the merchant account; and transmitting, by a transmitting device, the identified gift card number to the recipient.