The Real-Time Payments Revolution in America

The real-time payments (RTP) landscape in the United States is finally shifting from theory to reality, and the numbers prove it’s no longer just talk. Since FedNow launched in mid-2023, over 1,300 banks and credit unions have signed up, and The Clearing House’s RTP network has surpassed one billion transactions processed to date. Large institutions like J.P. Morgan are already piloting real-time supplier payments for corporate clients, showing that RTP is moving beyond consumer P2P into cash management.

The promise is clear, but so are the stakes: institutions that fail to modernise risk losing customer share to faster, more agile competitors. Real impact now depends on how effectively institutions adapt to what’s next:

Liquidity Management Will Be Put to the Test: With 24/7 instant clearing now a reality, banks are facing new pressures in liquidity planning, overnight funding, and cash positions that can shift by the hour, demands that legacy systems were never designed to handle. J.P. Morgan’s FedNow pilot illustrates how real-time supplier payments can tighten working capital but also require stronger intraday forecasting.

Fraud and Compliance Risks Are Increasing: Real-time wage disbursements and vendor payouts bring hidden fraud challenges. A mid-sized bank that introduced same-day payouts saw a 30% rise in push-payment fraud attempts, highlighting how existing batch-based controls can miss mule accounts and scams moving money instantly.

A2A Payments Could Disrupt Card Dominance: Some regional banks and fintechs aren’t stopping at faster P2P. They’re testing whether real-time A2A can reduce interchange fees for small businesses, deliver instant refunds, or power loyalty programs that keep funds flowing through their channels. Gig platforms like Uber show how instant payouts have already become a competitive factor for retaining workers.

Interoperability and Cross-Border Instant Payments Are Gaining Momentum: Real-time payments are no longer only domestic. US banks are beginning to test ways to connect FedNow and RTP rails with Europe’s EuroPA and EMPSA frameworks. Early pilot projects could make instant cross-border A2A a reality, reshaping how treasuries manage liquidity, suppliers get paid, and consumers send money across borders.

For US banks, credit unions, and fintechs, real-time payments are no longer a question of if but how well. Liquidity planning, fraud resilience, A2A expansion, and the move toward cross-border interoperability are reshaping how money moves, and who owns the customer relationship when it does.

QUBE Events brings together industry leaders at the 23rd NextGen Payments & RegTech Forum on 12-13 November 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Austin, Texas. Join senior decision-makers, innovators, and solution providers to exchange practical strategies for scaling real-time payments, strengthening fraud and compliance frameworks.

Book now to enjoy a 10% discount before it expires! Contact us at info@qubevents.com to claim the discount!

To register and access the agenda: https://bit.ly/3PF6eEE 

For more information on registration, please contact info@qubevents.com

By: Zinah Abdaki, Head of Marketing at QUBE Events