---
title: "Payment rails terms in the payments glossary"
description: "The networks that settle business payments (SWIFT, ACH, Fedwire, RTP, and stablecoin rails) and how their speed, hours, and finality compare."
canonical: "https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/category/payment-rails"
---

# 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](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/swift.md): The global messaging network banks use to send payment instructions across borders — the message layer behind international wires.
- [ACH](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/ach.md): The US batch payment network for bank-to-bank transfers — low cost, high volume, settling in same-day or next-day windows.
- [Fedwire](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/fedwire.md): The Federal Reserve’s real-time gross settlement system — same-day, irrevocable USD transfers for high-value payments.
- [RTP](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/rtp.md): The Clearing House’s real-time payments network — instant, final USD credit transfers up to $10 million, available 24/7/365.
- [Stablecoin settlement](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/stablecoin-settlement.md): 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](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/payment-orchestration.md): Coordinating multiple payment rails, providers, and currencies behind a single integration — routing each payment by speed, cost, and availability.
- [Stablecoin payment processor](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/stablecoin-payment-processor.md): A provider that handles stablecoin payments end to end for businesses — accounts, conversion, screening, and settlement behind one API.
- [SWIFT gpi](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/swift-gpi.md): SWIFT’s payments service standard adding end-to-end tracking, fee transparency, and confirmation of credit to cross-border payments.
- [Same Day ACH](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/same-day-ach.md): 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](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/t-plus-0-settlement.md): Settlement on the trade or payment date itself — funds change hands the same day, with no waiting period.
- [Wire transfer](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/wire-transfer.md): A bank-to-bank payment sent individually rather than in a batch — same-day, typically irrevocable, used for high-value transfers.
- [Stablecoin card](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/stablecoin-card.md): 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.

## More of the glossary

- [Assets terms in the payments glossary](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/category/assets.md): The instruments that move on stablecoin rails: what stablecoins are, how they are minted, redeemed, and backed, and how reserves are verified.
- [Accounts terms in the payments glossary](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/category/accounts.md): Account structures for holding business funds: demand deposit accounts, virtual and FBO accounts, and how pooled and per-customer structures differ.
- [Compliance terms in the payments glossary](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/category/compliance.md): The controls behind compliant payments: KYB and KYC, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and the BSA framework US institutions operate under.
- [Banking terms in the payments glossary](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/category/banking.md): How banks hold and move money behind the scenes: correspondent banking, routing numbers, and how deposit insurance passes through to customers.
- [Agentic payments terms in the payments glossary](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary/category/agentic-payments.md): How AI agents move money: spending limits, human-in-the-loop approvals, agent compliance, and the authorization layer behind agent-initiated payments.
- [Payments glossary | Direct answers to every term](https://infinite.net/learn/glossary.md): Every term in the payments glossary, grouped by category (stablecoins, accounts, compliance, payment rails, banking, and FX), each with a direct answer up top.