Payment methods
The local rails money actually lands on. Coverage here is the filter buyers use most — a provider without the right rail is not a candidate, whatever its pricing.
MethodCountriesAccessDirectionSpeedProviders
SWIFT
Local rail
WELL COVERED
ACH
Local rail
WELL COVERED
SEPA Instant
Local rail
WELL COVERED
FPS
Local rail
WELL COVERED
PIX
Local rail
WELL COVERED
SPEI
Local rail
WELL COVERED
UPI
Local rail
WELL COVERED
FedNow
Local rail
WELL COVERED
8 of 8 methods · coverage is self-reported and spot-checked quarterly
Payment rail index · 8 railsRESEARCH DESK10 UNIQUE DATA POINTS · 16% SHARED
Why the rail matters more than the fee
8 local rails across the markets we track. The rail is the last mile — where buyer experience is decided.
Direct versus routed access matters: direct participants typically credit faster and price tighter; every rail page states both counts where filed.
Rails documented
8
Instant-style rails
0
Top rail providers
205
Sample credit time
—
Rail types, and what each means for you
Grouped by settlement behaviour rather than geography.
TypeRailsTypical creditWatch for
Instant schemes0under 10mNight-time consumer limits
Instant schemes
Rails: 0Typical credit: under 10mWatch for: Night-time consumer limits
Same-day transfer—same dayCut-off times
Same-day transfer
Rails: —Typical credit: same dayWatch for: Cut-off times
Batch / ACH—1–3 daysReturn windows
Batch / ACH
Rails: —Typical credit: 1–3 daysWatch for: Return windows
Voucher / cash-out—variesAgent liquidity
Voucher / cash-out
Rails: —Typical credit: variesWatch for: Agent liquidity
Local payment rails, answered
From buyer questions about rails. Marked up as FAQPage.
Direct participants settle inside the scheme — faster credit, tighter pricing, no third-party dependency. Routed access adds a partner margin and uptime risk.
The rail. Supporting a currency is not the same as being able to credit the local scheme your beneficiary uses.
The filter buyers skip and regret
Filtering by currency instead of rail is the single most common shortlisting error. Buyers who filter on currency alone routinely shortlist providers that cannot actually reach their beneficiaries.
People also search for
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