Cover for the March edition of the Real-Time Payments World Map, a PYMNTS Intelligence and The Clearing House collaboration. North America’s real-time payments landscape is advancing as the United States, Canada and Mexico redefine the instant payments landscape.

Real-Time Payments Redraw North America’s Financial Map

Real-Time Payments World Map – March 2026

North America’s real-time payments landscape is advancing as record activity in the United States coincides with Canada’s transition to true real-time settlement and Mexico’s upgrade of its SPEI system. The latest “Real-Time Payments World Map,” a collaboration with The Clearing House, examines how growth, rail expansion and infrastructure modernization are redefining instant payments across the region.

Inside the March Map

  • The U.S. real-time payments landscape is entering a new phase, defined by scale, institutional adoption and expanding use cases across both the RTP® network and the FedNow® Service.
  • Canada’s instant payments journey is focused on transitioning from near-real-time to true real-time infrastructure, supported by a robust regulatory framework and reinforced by parallel policy reform.
  • Mexico is building on a mature core instant rail to broaden adoption and extend capabilities in retail, government and financial inclusion.

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    Real-Time Payments World Map