Near-Instant Settlement

Definition ∞ Near-instant settlement refers to the rapid completion of financial transactions, where the final transfer of assets and funds occurs almost immediately after execution. This significantly reduces the time lag associated with traditional settlement processes, which can take days. It minimizes counterparty risk and improves capital efficiency. This speed is a notable characteristic of many digital asset systems.
Context ∞ The promise of near-instant settlement is a primary driver for the adoption of blockchain technology in wholesale payments and digital asset trading. This capability offers substantial benefits in reducing operational costs and improving liquidity management for financial institutions. However, its widespread implementation requires addressing regulatory considerations and ensuring systemic stability.