Real-Time Payments

Definition ∞ Real-Time Payments are systems that allow for the immediate transfer of funds between parties, typically completing within seconds or minutes. Unlike traditional batch processing methods, these systems operate continuously, providing instant settlement and immediate availability of funds. This capability is increasingly being explored and implemented within digital asset ecosystems to facilitate faster and more efficient transactions.
Context ∞ The integration of Real-Time Payments capabilities into the digital asset landscape is a significant area of development, aiming to bridge the gap with conventional financial infrastructure. Discussions often center on the technical challenges of achieving instant finality on decentralized ledgers and the regulatory considerations for such systems. The emergence of stablecoins and layer-2 solutions is facilitating faster settlement, prompting greater interest in their potential for mainstream adoption in commerce and cross-border transactions.