Settlement Timing FAQs

When are payments settled by tender type?

Crypto payments are settled on a T+1 cadence.

This includes the current supported crypto tender types:

• USDC on Solana

• USDC on Base

• Bitcoin

• Bitcoin Lightning

Digital wallet payments are settled on a T+2 cadence.

This includes:

• PayPal

• Venmo

Buy now, pay later payments are settled on a T+5 cadence.

This includes:

• Klarna

Does crypto settle on a different schedule than PayPal, Venmo, and Klarna?

Yes. Three cadences apply today, by tender category:

• Crypto settles T+1.

• PayPal and Venmo (digital wallets) settle T+2.

• Klarna (buy now, pay later) settles T+5.

What does T+1, T+2, or T+5 mean?

T+1 means funds are expected to settle one business day after the transaction date or applicable batch date.

T+2 means funds are expected to settle two business days after the transaction date or applicable batch date.

T+5 means funds are expected to settle five business days after the transaction date or applicable batch date.

Are all crypto networks treated the same for settlement timing?

Yes. The currently supported crypto tender types settle T+1, including USDC on Solana, USDC on Base, Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Lightning.

How do weekends and bank holidays affect settlement?

Bead payments can be created and completed outside normal banking hours, but settlement deposits are subject to banking network, sponsor bank, and provider availability.

If a settlement or deposit date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the funded deposit may be delayed until the next available banking day. Payment activity that occurs over a weekend or holiday may still be included in Bead's settlement records and batches, but the actual bank-funded movement may not complete until banking rails are available.

For reconciliation, partners should use the Settlement and Deposits APIs to confirm settlement status, target payout date, settlement date, dispatched date, and deposit status.