Payment rails terms in the payments glossary
The networks that settle business payments — SWIFT, ACH, Fedwire, RTP, and stablecoin rails — and how their speed, hours, and finality compare.
SWIFT
The global messaging network banks use to send payment instructions across borders — the message layer behind international wires.
ACH
The US batch payment network for bank-to-bank transfers — low cost, high volume, settling in same-day or next-day windows.
Fedwire
The Federal Reserve’s real-time gross settlement system — same-day, irrevocable USD transfers for high-value payments.
RTP
The Clearing House’s real-time payments network — instant, final USD credit transfers up to $10 million, available 24/7/365.
Stablecoin settlement
The completion of a payment by transferring stablecoins on-chain — final in minutes, at any hour, with no batch cycles or banking-hours dependency.
Payment orchestration
Coordinating multiple payment rails, providers, and currencies behind a single integration — routing each payment by speed, cost, and availability.
Stablecoin payment processor
A provider that handles stablecoin payments end to end for businesses — accounts, conversion, screening, and settlement behind one API.
SWIFT gpi
SWIFT’s payments service standard adding end-to-end tracking, fee transparency, and confirmation of credit to cross-border payments.
Same Day ACH
The ACH network’s faster processing option — eligible payments submitted before daily cutoffs settle in same-day windows instead of next-day.
T+0 settlement
Settlement on the trade or payment date itself — funds change hands the same day, with no waiting period.
Wire transfer
A bank-to-bank payment sent individually rather than in a batch — same-day, typically irrevocable, used for high-value transfers.
Stablecoin card
A debit or prepaid card funded by a stablecoin balance — the issuer converts stablecoins to fiat at the point of sale, so merchants receive ordinary currency.