Why We Built our Partner Network: To Bridge the Payment-Settlement Gap

We live in an always-on world and customers expect their money to move just as fast. While payment rails like RTP® and FedNow® enable instant transfers, platforms often face hidden friction: network dependencies, volume limits, and infrastructure constraints that slow down the actual movement of funds.

CRNow was built to eliminate that friction. It’s faster because it doesn’t rely on external networks. It’s more robust because it operates independently of network uptime. And it’s more flexible—partners aren’t bound by rigid network-level limits, but instead they benefit from dynamic thresholds based on their activity and risk profile.

The friction: real-time payment with delayed settlement

Our partners—fintechs, platforms, marketplaces—have invested in real-time payments. But to complete those payments, they often rely on legacy methods like ACH or wires to move funds in the background. These systems have cutoff times, business-day constraints, and batch processing delays.

As a result, platforms are forced to navigate:

• Unpredictable settlement windows

• Rigid banking schedules

• Manual treasury workarounds

The bottom line? Payment speed outpaces settlement speed.

So we built the Cross River partner network

We built a partner ecosystem where fiat could move at the same speed as digital assets; a network where funds settle in real-time, at any time of day, without volume limits or banking-hour time constraints. This is the foundation of CRNow.

CRNow is Cross River’s internal fiat settlement system that enables faster, secure movement of funds between CRB-enabled partners.

Here’s what makes CRNow different:

• Always-on: Moving money 24/7/365, with no cutoffs, and no waiting.

• Flexibility: Unlike traditional rails, CRNow doesn’t cap how much you can move.

• Smart routing: One API gives you access to RTP®, FedNow®, and CRNow—with intelligent routing to pick the best path.

• Simple integration: Easily connect CRNow to your current instant payment infrastructure.

• Trusted partners: Every transaction stays within a network of vetted, secure partners.

The bigger picture

Our partners were doing everything right: adopting real-time payment rails, building modern platforms, and pushing for better user experiences.  

CRNow is about solving a very specific, very real problem: how to move money in real-time and manage it just as fast.

This is one piece of a bigger shift toward infrastructure that matches the pace of digital businesses. CRNow builds on our core strength: integrating real-time rails with flexible, compliant infrastructure. It’s not a bolt-on—it’s part of a unified stack that lets platforms move, manage, and settle funds with confidence.