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Real-time gross settlement

Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) is a that processes and settles instructions individually on a continuous, real-time basis without netting, ensuring immediate finality in to minimize . These handle large-value transactions, such as those supporting settlements and operations, by debiting and crediting participants' accounts instantaneously upon validation. RTGS systems emerged in the early as a response to growing concerns over systemic risks in traditional deferred net settlement mechanisms, pioneered in the 1970s and 1980s in countries such as the (Fedwire) and (), with adoption expanding in the to include (RITS) and others. By 1997, nearly all G-10 countries had introduced or planned RTGS systems, marking a rapid global diffusion driven by international standards from the (). Adoption accelerated in the , with 112 out of 142 surveyed central banks operating RTGS by 2008, and as of 2021, 176 countries maintained such systems operated primarily by their central banks. Key features of RTGS include real-time processing throughout operating hours, liquidity management tools like intraday and queuing mechanisms, and with securities systems to support delivery-versus-payment. These attributes provide benefits such as reduced and risks, enhanced , and efficient of high-value payments, with systems like the UK's processing an average of £344 billion daily in 2024. In the euro area, the T2 RTGS system, launched in 2023, settles payments equivalent to the entire euro area GDP every six days, underscoring its critical role in cross-border and domestic transactions. Recent developments reflect the evolution of RTGS toward extended operating hours and with fast systems, with several central banks adopting 24/7 availability to support round-the-clock settlements and innovations. For instance, Brazil's Pix system leverages RTGS for instantaneous payments, while challenges like costs and access policies continue to shape policy discussions globally. Overall, RTGS remains a cornerstone of modern infrastructures, underpinning trillions in daily transactions worldwide.

Fundamentals

Definition and Purpose

Real-time gross (RTGS) is a specialized funds in which payments are settled individually and continuously throughout the operating day on a gross basis, without netting against one another, utilizing as the asset. This ensures that each transaction is processed and finalized in , providing immediate and irrevocable to participating . Unlike deferred net systems, RTGS eliminates the accumulation of obligations over a period, thereby reducing the potential for systemic disruptions from delayed or failed payments. The primary purpose of RTGS systems is to facilitate large-value, time-sensitive transactions while minimizing in financial markets, which could otherwise propagate shortages or failures across institutions. By enabling instantaneous transfers in central bank money, RTGS supports the efficient transmission of , allowing s to monitor and influence in to achieve policy objectives. Additionally, these systems enhance overall by providing a robust for high-stakes activities, thereby safeguarding against broader economic contagion. RTGS emerged in response to vulnerabilities exposed by legacy batch-processing payment systems, particularly following financial crises in the , such as the 1974 collapse of Bankhaus Herstatt, which highlighted principal risks in settlements and prompted global efforts to modernize wholesale payment infrastructures. Common use cases include settling interbank loans, securities transactions, and deals, where timely finality is essential to manage counterparty exposures and maintain market confidence.

Key Characteristics

Real-time gross (RTGS) systems process funds transfers continuously and individually throughout the operating day, enabling immediate upon receipt of a valid instruction without any deferral, batching, or netting processes. This functionality ensures that transactions are handled on a transaction-by-transaction basis, providing participants with prompt confirmation and reducing lags that could otherwise amplify systemic risks. The gross settlement mechanism in RTGS distinguishes it from netting systems by settling each payment for its full , with recorded directly and simultaneously in the participants' accounts. This approach eliminates multilateral or bilateral netting, thereby avoiding potential exposures from participant defaults during the cycle. A defining attribute is the achievement of immediate finality and irrevocability upon , meaning completed transactions cannot be unwound or reversed under normal circumstances, which confers and supports the stability of financial markets. RTGS operations are intrinsically linked to central bank oversight, with settlements executed exclusively using central bank money in reserve accounts maintained at the central bank, thereby minimizing credit risk through the use of high-value, low-risk reserves. These systems are tailored for wholesale payments, typically focusing on large-value transfers above specified thresholds to prioritize interbank and financial market activities; for instance, in the Eurosystem's T2 RTGS, bilateral and multilateral limits often commence at €1 million to manage liquidity and risk.

Historical Development

Origins and Early Adoption

Prior to the development of real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems, large-value payment systems predominantly relied on deferred net settlement (DNS) mechanisms, such as the in the United States, where transactions were batched, netted, and settled at the end of the day. This approach exposed financial institutions to significant , as counterparties could default before finality, potentially leading to liquidity shortfalls and systemic . The 1974 failure of Bankhaus Herstatt in exemplified these vulnerabilities, as the bank's abrupt closure during the trading day resulted in incomplete settlements, causing multimillion-dollar losses for counterparties and highlighting the "Herstatt risk" of intraday exposure in cross-border payments. Further pressures arose during the 1980s financial crises, including the and domestic banking failures, which amplified concerns over liquidity and risks in DNS systems, prompting central banks to seek more robust alternatives. In response, the G10 central banks' 1990 Lamfalussy Report on interbank netting schemes established minimum standards for management in payment systems, emphasizing the need to minimize in cross-border transactions and implicitly supporting the shift toward RTGS as a safer gross settlement model over risky netting practices. Early adopters of RTGS systems emerged in the mid-1980s to address these risks, with the United States upgrading its Fedwire system in the early 1980s to enhance real-time electronic processing for irrevocable gross settlements, building on its origins as an automated wire transfer network since 1970. The United Kingdom launched CHAPS in 1984 as a nationwide electronic interbank system providing guaranteed sterling transfers, though it operated in a semi-real-time mode with end-of-day finality until its full conversion to RTGS in 1996. Switzerland followed in 1987 with the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) system, one of the pioneering RTGS platforms managed by the Swiss National Bank, enabling continuous real-time settlement of interbank payments to reduce systemic exposure. Japan introduced the BOJ-NET in 1988, incorporating an RTGS mode alongside deferred netting to facilitate real-time funds transfers and mitigate settlement lags in its financial network. These initial implementations marked a pivotal transition, prioritizing immediate finality to safeguard against the intraday risks prevalent in earlier DNS-dominated infrastructures.

Global Expansion

The of real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems expanded rapidly from the onward, transitioning from a niche to a cornerstone of global payment infrastructures. In , only three central banks had implemented RTGS systems; by the end of 2005, this figure had risen to 90 out of approximately 174 central banks worldwide, reflecting an S-shaped pattern typical of technological in financial systems. By 2024, over 120 countries operated RTGS systems for large-value payments, driven by increasing financial and the need for efficient cross-border transactions. This growth was propelled by recommendations from the (), which emphasized RTGS as a means to mitigate settlement risks in an interconnected economy. Regional trends underscored the policy-driven nature of this expansion. In , the launch of the system on January 4, 1999, integrated national RTGS infrastructures across countries, facilitating seamless implementation and economic convergence following the euro's introduction. Asia witnessed rapid uptake, exemplified by India's RTGS system, which commenced operations on March 26, 2004, to handle high-value interbank transfers and support the country's burgeoning financial markets. In emerging markets, adoption accelerated through technical assistance from the , which provided diagnostics, reforms, and capacity-building in over 120 countries to modernize payment systems and enhance . Key influential reports further catalyzed this diffusion. The BIS's 1997 report, "Real-Time Gross Settlement Systems," outlined core principles for design and operation, advocating RTGS to reduce systemic risks and influencing central banks globally to prioritize its implementation. Post-2008 , G20 initiatives highlighted RTGS's role in building resilience, with leaders committing to strengthen infrastructures that minimize liquidity and settlement vulnerabilities amid heightened global interdependence. Technological advancements enabled this widespread integration. The shift to electronic messaging standards, including SWIFT's FIN protocol for secure interbank communication, allowed RTGS systems to handle real-time confirmations and reduce manual errors. By 2025, adoption of the messaging standard had become a key enabler, with the UK's renewed RTGS system completing its transition for payments in April 2025, improving data richness and interoperability across borders.

Operational Mechanics

Settlement Process

The settlement process in a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system involves the immediate, individual processing of interbank instructions, ensuring finality without netting or deferral. initiation typically occurs when a sending submits an to funds to the receiving , often via a secure messaging network such as or a domestic gateway, specifying details like amount, accounts, and purpose. This step is executed electronically, allowing high-value transfers to be queued for prompt handling during operating hours. Upon receipt, the operating the RTGS system performs validation, which includes checks for syntactic accuracy, compliance with regulatory rules, and sufficient in the sender's settlement account held at the . Invalid instructions, such as those with formatting errors or lacking authorization, are rejected immediately with a notification sent back to the sender. If funds are insufficient, the instruction may be queued until becomes available, potentially through intraday facilities provided by the , preventing while maintaining the gross principle. Once validated and funded, the executes the core settlement by debiting the sender's account and crediting the receiver's account in , all in on a transaction-by-transaction basis. This ensures irrevocable finality, with no possibility of reversal, reducing . Confirmation messages are then transmitted back to the participating banks via the same secure network, alerting them to the successful completion and updating their internal records. At the end of the processing day, RTGS systems conduct to match all against participant accounts, unwind any temporary intraday provided, and generate reports for oversight and auditing purposes. Queued transactions are prioritized and settled before cutoff times, with any unresolved items carried over or rejected according to system rules, ensuring overall balance and integrity.

Participants and Access

In real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems, core participants are divided into direct and indirect categories. Direct participants, typically and other , maintain settlement accounts at the , enabling them to send and receive funds in real time. Indirect participants, such as smaller institutions or non-banks, access the system through sponsored arrangements with direct participants or agents, without holding their own accounts. Access to RTGS systems requires meeting stringent criteria set by the operating , including minimum capital thresholds, robust frameworks, and demonstrated operational readiness to handle high-value transactions securely. Prospective participants must undergo a formal approval process, involving assessments of , compliance with regulatory standards, and technical capabilities for integration with the RTGS platform. Within the system, participants primarily act as senders or receivers of funds, initiating or settling high-value payments on a gross basis, while the serves as the operator, ensuring the finality and irrevocability of transactions, and as the liquidity provider, facilitating intraday against to support smooth operations. This structure underscores the central bank's pivotal role in maintaining systemic stability. Post-2020, access models have evolved to promote broader , with central banks increasingly allowing non-bank entities like fintechs and payment service providers to participate through tiered or sponsored , aiming to enhance competition and innovation in payments. For instance, the Bank of England's review of RTGS explored expanding eligibility for non-bank payment service providers to hold accounts, subject to enhanced safeguards. Governance of RTGS participation is overseen by central banks, which enforce rules on pledging for intraday to mitigate and operational risks, ensuring only qualified entities join while preserving the system's integrity.

Global Systems

Major National RTGS Systems

In the United States, the Funds Service, operated by the Banks, has facilitated electronic funds transfers since 1915 and functions as a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system for high-value, time-critical payments in central bank money. It processes an average daily value exceeding $4.5 trillion, supporting banks, businesses, and government entities with irrevocable same-day settlements. The Eurozone's system, owned and operated by the under the (ECB), serves as the primary RTGS platform for euro-denominated wholesale payments and was launched in March 2023 as the successor to TARGET2. incorporates multi-currency settlement capabilities and full compliance with the messaging standard, enabling efficient liquidity management across central banks and commercial participants in the area. In the , the (CHAPS) operates as the Bank of England's RTGS service, handling sterling-denominated high-value payments with finality in money. Following a multi-year renewal program, the enhanced RTGS platform—known as —went live in April 2025, incorporating standards and laying the groundwork for potential extension to near-24/7 operations to meet evolving payment demands. Japan's BOJ-NET, managed by the , provides a dual RTGS infrastructure comprising the Funds Transfer System (FTS) for fund settlements and the Japanese Government Bond (JGB) Services for securities transfers, both ensuring , irrevocable processing in central bank money since its full RTGS implementation in 2001. India's RTGS system, overseen by the (RBI), was introduced in March 2004 to enable settlement of high-value electronic transfers with a minimum threshold of INR 2 and no upper limit, operating 24/7 for eligible and customer transactions. Among other notable national systems, Australia's Real-Time Information and Settlement System (RITS), operated by the , functions as an RTGS platform for high-value AUD payments and remains fully operational as of 2025, settling transactions via central bank accounts with plans for modernization underway. Canada's , managed by , provides RTGS for CAD-denominated high-value wires since its launch in 2021 and continues to operate with real-time finality in 2025. In , the High-Value Payment System (HVPS), administered by the through the China National Clearing Center, serves as the RTGS backbone for RMB wholesale settlements and processed an average daily value of RMB 31.36 trillion in Q1 2025.

Cross-Border and Regional Initiatives

Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems have evolved to support cross-border and regional payments, enabling efficient across jurisdictions while addressing fragmentation in global financial infrastructures. In the , the system served as a key regional RTGS platform prior to its replacement in March 2023, facilitating the of high-value payments in real time across European s and participants. This system handled an average of over 300,000 transactions daily, settling trillions of s annually, and provided a unified infrastructure for cross-border transfers within the (SEPA). Complementing this, SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst) schemes link to RTGS for final in , with platforms like TARGET Instant Payment (TIPS) enabling 24/7 instant payments settled via the T2 RTGS system. TIPS supports by connecting to other RTGS systems, allowing non- settlements where needed, and processes transfers in under 10 seconds end-to-end. Cross-border RTGS initiatives leverage technology to bridge national systems, with the (BIS) leading pilots like Project mBridge, a multi-central bank digital currency (CBDC) platform designed for wholesale cross-border payments. Launched as a collaborative effort among central banks from , , , the , and , mBridge reached minimum viable product status in mid-2024, enabling real-time settlement of CBDC transactions with payment-versus-payment (PvP) mechanisms to mitigate FX risks. The platform integrates with existing RTGS systems, allowing seamless connectivity for traditional fiat settlements alongside CBDCs, and has demonstrated transaction speeds in seconds compared to days for conventional cross-border flows. Similarly, Project Nexus, another initiative, aims to connect domestic fast payment systems in economies—including , , the , , and —for instant cross-border retail payments, with live implementation targeted for 2026. While focused on instant payments, Nexus facilitates settlement linkages to underlying RTGS infrastructures, enhancing and reducing costs for regional transactions serving over 1.7 billion users. These initiatives address persistent challenges in cross-border RTGS, such as time zone disparities and foreign exchange (FX) settlement risks, through integrated solutions like the Continuous Linked Settlement (CLS) system. CLS provides PvP settlement for FX trades across 18 currencies, settling over one million transactions daily by coordinating with national RTGS systems to ensure simultaneous delivery of legs, thereby eliminating Herstatt risk. For instance, CLS links directly to RTGS platforms like T2 and CHAPS, enabling liquidity-efficient multilateral netting while maintaining gross settlement finality, which has reduced global FX settlement exposure by trillions of dollars annually. Such integrations allow for near-24/7 operations, bridging operational hour gaps between regions. As of 2025, progress under the for Enhancing Cross-border Payments emphasizes for 24/7 RTGS-linked flows, with milestones including expanded CBDC pilots and standardized for system connections. The (FSB) reported in October 2025 that initiatives like have advanced toward full-scale deployment by 2027, targeting faster settlement times and lower costs for cross-border payments in line with goals, including a global average cost below 1%. These efforts build on commitments to achieve transparent, accessible 24/7 , with over 40 financial institutions now participating in testing to support real-time gross settlements across time zones.

Comparisons and Alternatives

Versus Deferred Net Settlement

Deferred net settlement (DNS) systems aggregate and net multiple transactions among participants multilaterally over a specified period, typically at the end of the day, before final settlement occurs. This netting process significantly reduces the total value transferred, as offsetting obligations cancel out, thereby minimizing the required for settlement. A prominent example is the Clearing House Interbank Payments System () in the United States, which operates on a DNS basis for high-value payments. In contrast, real-time gross (RTGS) processes and settles each individually and immediately upon receipt, without netting, ensuring irrevocable finality at the moment of . DNS, however, defers finality until the netting cycle concludes, potentially allowing for unwinds in cases of participant default or operational issues. While RTGS demands substantial intraday to cover gross payment values, DNS achieves greater through netting, lowering overall needs but introducing delays in fund availability. RTGS mitigates principal risk, including Herstatt risk—the danger of one party defaulting after the has fulfilled its obligation, often across time zones—by eliminating intraday exposures through simultaneous settlement. However, RTGS systems can experience , where insufficient causes payment queues to build, delaying the entire system. DNS, conversely, heightens via potential failures in the netting process, such as a participant's leading to losses shared among others, though it avoids by batching. Post-2008 , vulnerabilities in settlement systems prompted a shift, with many DNS operations, including , integrating RTGS-like features such as real-time monitoring and partial gross settlements to bolster resilience and reduce systemic risks. This hybridization trend reflects broader efforts to balance liquidity efficiency with immediate finality, blurring traditional distinctions between the models.

Integration with Other Payment Systems

Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems often serve as the backbone for settling infrastructures, providing finality in for transactions. In the United States, the , an RTGS operated by the , enables depository institutions to process 24/7, with settlement occurring directly on its ledger using balances from participants' master accounts at the Reserve Banks. Liquidity for operations can be transferred from accounts used in the Funds , the primary high-value RTGS system, allowing seamless funding for without relying on netting mechanisms. This upstream integration ensures that low-value, time-sensitive transfers achieve irrevocable settlement through RTGS infrastructure, reducing in the broader payment ecosystem. Hybrid models further illustrate RTGS integration by combining instant or net settlement for smaller payments with gross settlement for larger aggregates. In the euro area, the service processes instant euro payments on a 24/7 basis, drawing liquidity directly from the RTGS system to fund its operations. Participants can transfer funds inbound from accounts to TIPS during T2's operating hours, enabling TIPS to retain overnight and settle payments individually in central bank money, while outbound transfers return excess funds to T2 at the end of the day. This tiered approach allows low-value instant payments to net or process in real-time within TIPS before aggregating into T2 for final RTGS, optimizing use across retail and wholesale layers. Looking ahead, RTGS systems are evolving to integrate with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and technologies, enabling programmable and tokenized settlements. Eurosystem pilots for the explore hybrid architectures, such as the TIPS+ platform, which extends for CBDC issuance and redemption while linking to via central liquidity management for real-time settlement in central bank money. These experiments demonstrate interoperability between account-based CBDC ledgers and technology (DLT) platforms, like the itCoin prototype, using bridges for cross-system transfers that support offline capabilities and automation. Similarly, (BIS) projects highlight networks, such as Partior, that interface with existing RTGS for programmable settlements, allowing tokenized assets to settle in central bank money with reduced by 2025 and beyond. Such integrations aim to embed conditional logic in payments, like releases, directly into RTGS workflows. Standardization plays a pivotal role in facilitating these interfaces, with emerging as a key enabler for seamless messaging between RTGS and faster payment schemes. This XML-based standard provides structured, data-rich formats that support richer information and checks, allowing payments to flow interchangeably between systems like and . For instance, the adoption of in both RTGS platforms and services enhances , enabling commercial banks to route transactions dynamically based on value or urgency without format conversions. By 2025, widespread migration to across major systems, including and euro-area infrastructures, will further harmonize data flows, reducing friction in hybrid and CBDC-linked environments.

Advantages and Challenges

Benefits

Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems significantly reduce principal risk in high-value payments by enabling immediate, irrevocable settlement on a gross basis, thereby eliminating the possibility of one party fulfilling its obligation while the other fails, often referred to as Herstatt or . This feature enhances systemic resilience, as demonstrated by the reinforcement of RTGS adoption and upgrades following the to mitigate contagion risks in interbank markets. By minimizing credit and liquidity exposures through continuous intraday finality, RTGS prevents the buildup of multilateral obligations that could amplify disruptions in . RTGS delivers efficiency gains by accelerating liquidity turnover, allowing funds to be reused more rapidly throughout the day without netting delays, which is particularly beneficial for time-sensitive trades such as securities settlements. This processing reduces operational costs associated with holding precautionary balances and managing settlement queues, as participants can optimize intraday more effectively. In practice, RTGS supports , streamlining workflows and lowering the administrative burden for high-volume transfers. RTGS facilitates precise implementation by providing central banks with tools for real-time reserve adjustments and intraday liquidity provision, enabling better control over interest rates and conditions. For instance, systems like the Bank of England's RTGS integrate directly with policy operations, such as interest on reserves, to respond swiftly to economic developments. This capability enhances the transmission of policy signals through secure, efficient payment channels. By underpinning secure wholesale markets, RTGS contributes to broader and growth, as reliable high-value payment infrastructure supports financial intermediation essential for allocation and . Globally, RTGS systems handle the vast majority of high-value payment flows by value, processing trillions of dollars daily across major economies and fostering confidence in cross-border and domestic transactions.

Risks and Mitigation

Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems face significant due to the need for participants to maintain substantial intraday funds to settle transactions individually and immediately, potentially leading to payment queues if balances are insufficient. This risk is exacerbated in high-volume periods when outgoing payments exceed available , requiring careful intraday management to avoid disruptions. To mitigate , s typically provide collateralized intraday , allowing participants to borrow against high-quality assets such as government securities, thereby ensuring smooth without exposing the to undue . For instance, the offers intraday in its RTGS system (supporting ) against eligible collateral, with limits and monitoring to control exposure. This approach, often integrated with securities systems like for delivery-versus-payment, optimizes usage while minimizing systemic vulnerabilities. Operational risks in RTGS systems include cyber threats, such as attacks aimed at disrupting or stealing , and system failures from malfunctions, , or loss of like power or . These risks can halt settlements, causing widespread economic impact if primary sites fail. involves implementing through geographically dispersed backup sites, with many systems featuring "hot-standby" second sites and third remote facilities for enhanced ; for example, RTGS infrastructures in the , , Russia, China, India, and Brazil incorporate multiple sites to ensure continuity. Regular testing, including penetration tests and simulations via services like SWIFT's Market Infrastructure Resiliency (MIRS), verifies recovery capabilities, with MIRS enabling activation within hours while preserving transaction integrity. Gridlock in RTGS systems occurs when interdependent queued transactions cannot proceed due to liquidity shortages, potentially stalling the entire payment flow and amplifying . This arises from circular dependencies where participants await incoming payments to fund outgoing ones. Strategies to address include advanced queuing mechanisms with algorithms that sequence payments to optimize and release held transactions efficiently, alongside offsetting features that simulate limited netting without deferring final settlement. For example, Saudi Arabia's SARIE RTGS employs queuing, , and offsetting to prevent , while ex-post netting in select scenarios allows bilateral adjustments at end-of-day if needed. As of , extensions toward 24/7 RTGS operations heighten exposure by expanding the window for attacks and requiring constant vigilance, potentially straining incident response if systems are involved. This shift, aimed at supporting faster cross-border payments, increases operational and the of prolonged disruptions. Regulatory responses, guided by principles, emphasize enhancing through upgraded infrastructure, extended controls, and coordination to cover non-standard hours, including iterative assessments of defenses and recovery protocols.

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