What foundational change is proposed in the New payment architecture?

The proposal for a new payment architecture primarily suggests establishing a new layer specifically focused on clearing and settlement processes. This change aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and scalability of payment systems across various platforms. By introducing this layer, the architecture can address the complexities involved in managing payment transactions, ensuring that they are processed more swiftly and securely.

Having a dedicated layer for clearing and settlement allows for better interoperability between different payment systems, which is crucial as transaction volumes continue to rise in an increasingly digital economy. It fosters innovation while maintaining the robustness required for secure financial transactions.

The other options do not align with the core proposal. For instance, completely removing existing payment systems may create instability and ambiguity, while integrating Bitcoin transactions or raw currency exchange does not reflect the foundational structural changes intended by the proposal but rather focuses on specific currency mechanisms. The emphasis remains on enhancing the clearing and settlement process, which is essential for modernizing and securing payment systems.