Method, system, and medium for blockchain-enabled atomic settlement

A system comprising multiple servers networked together to form a blockchain, wherein each of the servers comprises:

• (a) network interface hardware for interfacing with the other servers;
• (b) a non-transitory computer readable medium;
• and
• (c) a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface hardware and the non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium has stored thereon computer program code that is executable by the processor and that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform a method comprising:
• (i) obtaining a first instruction comprising a first leg specifying a first counterparty and a second counterparty that are counterparties to a first transaction and an amount of a first asset owned by the first counterparty;
• (ii) confirming that the first instruction is authorized, wherein confirming that the first instruction is authorized comprises locking the first asset in response to obtaining confirmation without transferring the first asset;
• (iii) executing the first instruction after the first instruction is confirmed to be authorized, wherein executing the first instruction comprises transferring the first asset from the first counterparty to the second counterparty;
• and
• (iv) recording in a blockchain that the first instruction has been executed.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program code that is executable by a processor and that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform a method comprising:

• (a) obtaining a first instruction comprising a first leg specifying a first counterparty and a second counterparty that are counterparties to a first transaction and an amount of a first asset owned by the first counterparty;
• (b) confirming that the first instruction is authorized, wherein confirming that the first instruction is authorized comprises locking the first asset in response to obtaining confirmation without transferring the first asset;
• (c) executing the first instruction after the first instruction is confirmed to be authorized, wherein executing the first instruction comprises transferring the first asset from the first counterparty to the second counterparty;
• and
• (d) recording in a blockchain that the first instruction has been executed.