What payment categories are included among high-value payments?

High-value payments are typically characterized by their large monetary amounts and the need for immediate settlement. Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) payments fall squarely within this category. RTGS systems are designed to handle significant transactions that require immediate clearing and settlement, facilitating the transfer of funds among banks or financial institutions in real time. This immediacy is crucial for minimizing settlement risk, especially in high-stakes financial environments.

In contrast, retail payments involve smaller transactions generally made by consumers and are processed through systems that may not prioritize speed in the same way as RTGS. Peer-to-peer payments, which are often small transactions between individuals, are also distinct from high-value payments. Cryptocurrency payments, while they can involve high amounts, do not necessarily fit the traditional definitions of high-value payments due to their often volatile nature and the lack of a centralized clearing process that is a hallmark of RTGS systems.

Thus, the emphasis on immediate settlement and the scale of transactions ensures that RTGS payments are correctly identified as a component of high-value payments.