United States vs Hong Kong · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | FedNow | FPS |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | — | ◐ |
| Wallet Support | — | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | — | ◐ |
| ISO 20022 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Request to Pay | ✓ | — |
| Open API | ✓ | ◐ |
| Alias/Proxy | — | ✓ |
The Federal Reserve's instant payment service enabling US banks and credit unions to send and receive payments in seconds, 24/7/365. Launched in July 2023, FedNow is the first new Fed payment rail in 50 years and aims to democratise instant payments by giving all 10,000+ US depository institutions direct access (unlike the private-sector RTP). Supports credit transfers up to $500K with plans to add request-for-payment and other features. Note: FedNow shows extreme growth rates as it scales from a low base — value jumped 35x in Q3 2024 as larger institutions onboarded, which is typical for newly launched payment systems.
Hong Kong's Faster Payment System enables 24/7 real-time transfers in both HKD and RMB between banks and stored-value facilities. Uniquely dual-currency by design, it supports proxy-based addressing via mobile number, email, or FPS ID. Operated by HKMA with settlement through the CHATS RTGS system, it has become the backbone of Hong Kong's digital payment ecosystem with 12M+ registrations.