Hong Kong vs United Kingdom · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | FPS | Faster Payments |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | ◐ | — |
| Wallet Support | — | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | ◐ | — |
| ISO 20022 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Request to Pay | — | ✓ |
| Open API | ◐ | ◐ |
| Alias/Proxy | ✓ | — |
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.
The UK's core instant payment system handling bank-to-bank transfers up to £1M, with most payments arriving in seconds. Originally launched with a £10K limit in 2008, it was one of the world's first real-time retail payment systems. Settles via the Bank of England's RTGS system with net deferred settlement. Managed by Pay.UK, the FPS rail also processes standing orders and forward-dated payments, but the data shown here covers Single Immediate Payments only — the real-time component. The New Payments Architecture (NPA) programme is modernising FPS with ISO 20022 messaging.