High-risk merchants—such as those in nutraceuticals, adult products, or cannabis-adjacent sectors—often face settlement delays due to compliance reviews or funding holds. Real-time payments help circumvent many of these issues by enabling faster, direct bank-to-bank transactions. This reduces reliance on third-party processors who may impose rolling reserves or additional scrutiny. For subscription-based businesses, MLM companies, or crowdfunding platforms, RTP also improves customer retention by allowing real-time upgrades, refunds, or payment confirmations. In short, RTP helps stabilize cash flow in industries where volatility is a given and merchant services solutions must adapt quickly.

In today’s on-demand economy, customers expect everything—support, shipping, and yes, refunds—to happen fast. RTP makes it possible for merchants to process returns and reimbursements instantly, which enhances trust and brand loyalty. This level of responsiveness is particularly useful for businesses that manage bookings, service credits, or digital product access. When paired with customizable merchant services platforms, RTP can also support real-time invoice payments, reducing friction in B2B relationships and improving accounts receivable turnover^[3]. Offering RTP as a payment or refund option shows that a merchant values speed, transparency, and customer satisfaction—qualities that can lead to repeat business and better reviews.

While the benefits are clear, RTP adoption isn’t without challenges. Integration requires cooperation between banks, payment processors, and software vendors. Not all financial institutions currently support RTP, and some merchants may face technical barriers or added costs when incorporating it into their existing merchant services stack. There are also regulatory and compliance considerations, especially around fraud mitigation and identity verification. Since RTP transactions are irrevocable, merchants must implement strict anti-fraud protocols before offering RTP to avoid losses from unauthorized activity. That said, as more banks and fintech platforms adopt RTP infrastructure, these hurdles are becoming easier to overcome—and early adopters often gain a strategic edge^[4].

As real-time payments evolve, their role within merchant services will only grow. We’re already seeing forward-looking providers offer hybrid settlement models, combining RTP with traditional methods based on transaction size, risk level, or time of day. As FedNow gains momentum, more merchants will be able to send and receive payments instantly, even without changing banks. Additionally, innovations like request-for-payment (RFP) via RTP will allow merchants to initiate payments through secure, trackable channels—streamlining invoicing and reconciliation^[5]. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar retailer or a SaaS subscription business, the ability to receive, send, and manage payments in real time is becoming a competitive necessity.