Instant Payments & Payment Rails
Instant payment networks are changing how money moves between people, businesses and governments.
We help central banks, infrastructure operators and payment providers build the business case, governance and architecture for real-time payments.
What determines success
Business cases, governance and architecture for instant payment networks and national switching: ISO 20022, alias directories, clearing and settlement, and cross-border interlinking.
Networks open only to banks often see slow adoption.
Pricing and participation rules can keep wallets and fintechs out.
Without overlay services, instant transfers do not become a daily habit.
How we help
We help central banks, infrastructure operators and payment providers build the business case, governance and architecture for real-time payments.
Business case
The economic and social case for an instant payment system, with adoption scenarios.
Governance and participation
Ownership, rules, pricing and access for banks, wallets and payment providers.
Architecture and standards
ISO 20022 messaging, alias directories, and clearing and settlement design.
Overlay services
QR merchant payments, request-to-pay and bill payments built on the rail.
Cross-border interlinking
Bilateral and regional links that open remittance corridors.
What you receive
Deliverables are tailored to the scope of each engagement.
- Business case and adoption forecast
- Governance model and scheme rulebook outline
- Target architecture
- Overlay services roadmap
- Implementation plan
Our approach
Every engagement follows a clear path, scoped to what the client needs. Some clients bring us in for a single phase; others ask us to stay through launch.
- 01Diagnose
- 02Design
- 03Mobilise
- 04Launch & scale
Frequently asked questions
What is an instant payment network?
It is a payment system that moves money between accounts in seconds, around the clock, with immediate confirmation to both sender and receiver.
Why does ISO 20022 matter?
ISO 20022 is a global messaging standard that carries richer data with each payment, which improves reconciliation, compliance and interoperability.
What is an alias directory?
It links simple identifiers such as mobile numbers to account details, so people can pay without knowing account numbers.
Can instant payment systems connect across borders?
Yes. Countries are linking their systems bilaterally and through regional platforms to make cross-border payments faster and cheaper.
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Explore this practiceLet's talk about your project
Tell us what you are working on and we will come back with a view on how we can help.
info@mercanera.com