Retail Payment System
Infrastructure for consumer-to-business transactions, handling everyday payments.
What is Retail Payment System?
Retail payment systems process high-volume, low-value transactions like card swipes or mobile transfers, with components including networks, processors, and POS terminals. In 2025, they include debit/credit cards, ACH, and digital wallets, facilitating $43 trillion in China alone.
In digital assets, they integrate CBDCs like e-CNY for seamless backups, enhancing resilience against disruptions. Systems like New Zealand’s include multiple networks for interoperability.
Related Terms
51% Attack
A 51% attack occurs when a single entity or group controls over 50% of a blockchain’s computing power or stake, allowing them to manipulate the network’s transaction ledger.
Oracle
A mechanism that provides real-world data to blockchains for use in smart contracts.
Micropayments
Small-scale digital asset transactions for low-value goods or services.
Margin (Perp Dex)
Collateral deposited to open and maintain leveraged trading positions.
Merkle Patricia Tree (MPT)
A specialized data structure in Ethereum that combines a Merkle Tree with a Patricia trie to efficiently store and manage key-value pairs.
Market Order
An order to buy or sell an asset immediately at the best available current price.