A method, system, and computer program product for implementing personal identification number (PIN)-based data transfer activities is provided. The system includes a transfer system that includes a processor and a PIN processing application and decryption engine executing thereon. The PIN processing application and decryption engine implement a method. The method includes receiving an instrument identifier for an instrument upon which a data transfer is requested, and receiving a PIN input at the transfer system by a holder of the instrument. The PIN includes encrypted data elements that include the instrument identifier, a data value for the data transfer, a transfer system key of the transfer system, and a seed value associated with the instrument. The method includes decrypting the PIN to retrieve the data elements embedded therein. In response to successful validation of the data elements, the method includes encoding the instrument with the data value.