Canada vs UAE · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | Interac e-Transfer | IPP |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | — | — |
| Wallet Support | — | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | — | — |
| ISO 20022 | — | ✓ |
| Request to Pay | ✓ | — |
| Open API | ◐ | ◐ |
| Alias/Proxy | ✓ | ✓ |
Canada's dominant person-to-person and business payment system, used by virtually every Canadian with a bank account. Interac e-Transfer enables instant transfers via email address or phone number across all major Canadian banks and credit unions. Originally a next-day service, it was upgraded to real-time settlement in 2022. Interac processes over 1B transactions per year with CAD 900B+ in value, making it one of the world's highest per-capita instant payment systems. Operated by Interac Corp (jointly owned by Canadian financial institutions), it also supports Interac Debit for point-of-sale and Request Money for invoicing.
The UAE's Instant Payment Platform launched by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) under the consumer brand "Aani". IPP enables 24/7 real-time transfers between banks and financial institutions via IBAN, mobile number, or email address. Part of the CBUAE's Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) programme alongside the Digital Dirham CBDC initiative, IPP is built on ISO 20022 and designed for a digital-first economy. The UAE's high smartphone penetration, expatriate population, and position as a regional financial hub make IPP strategically important for both domestic payments and future cross-border linkages with other Gulf and Asian systems.