In the United States, real-time payments are primarily supported by two major networks that facilitate immediate, 24/7/365 electronic fund transfers:

1. The RTP Network: Established by The Clearing House, this network offers 100 percent uptime and supports instant transactions of up to $10 million. It currently reaches approximately 71 percent of U.S. demand deposit accounts through over 950 participating financial institutions.

1. FedNow: Developed by the Federal Reserve, this service provides similar real-time capabilities and integrates with existing systems at banks and credit unions of all sizes. It is notable for supporting rich messaging features, such as those used for invoice payments.

For businesses to utilize these platforms, they must use compatible hardware and software. Point-of-Sale (POS) systems like Clover and Revel are highlighted as platforms that integrate with these networks to enable instant processing and faster liquidity for merchants.