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.
See it on your own flows.
Thirty minutes on a live account: accounts, payments, and the screening record behind them.