24/7 Payments

Definition ∞ 24/7 Payments refers to financial transactions that process and settle continuously, without regard for traditional banking hours. These systems enable immediate value transfer across all days of the week, including weekends and holidays. The constant operational availability significantly reduces delays in financial transfers, thereby enhancing global economic fluidity. This continuous processing capability is a core attribute of many digital asset networks and modern real-time gross settlement infrastructures.
Context ∞ The ongoing adoption of 24/7 payment systems represents a significant shift in global finance, driven by consumer and business demand for instant transactions. Both established financial institutions and digital asset platforms are developing or upgrading infrastructures to support this continuous operation. This evolution necessitates advanced operational resilience and robust security measures to manage transactions around the clock, impacting regulatory oversight and financial market efficiency.