Amsterdam, 28 April 2026 — NOWPayments, a leading cryptocurrency payment gateway, has announced a significant infrastructure optimization that accelerates USDT processing speeds by fivefold on both Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and Ethereum networks. The upgrade addresses a critical pain point in blockchain-based settlement: transaction confirmation latency.
The improvement applies to both incoming payments and outgoing payouts on BNB Smart Chain (BSC) and Ethereum (ERC20), strengthening the reliability and responsiveness of the payment infrastructure used by businesses worldwide. According to performance data disclosed in the announcement, average payout times now stand at 26 seconds for USDT on BSC versus a 45-second market average, and 94 seconds for USDT on Ethereum versus a general market range of 3 to 10 minutes.
The update reflects the growing importance of settlement speed in stablecoin-based operations, where delays can directly affect business performance, customer experience, and operational predictability. Stablecoins such as USDT are increasingly used not only for value storage but also as a practical settlement instrument across industries that rely on frequent transactions and timely payouts. In these environments, faster execution enables businesses to streamline workflows, reduce waiting times, and maintain smoother financial operations.
Real-World Impact on Merchant Operations
The recent infrastructure optimization has already delivered measurable operational benefits for businesses relying on stablecoin payouts at scale. Chipstars' operations team reported a reduction in unresolved transactions and support escalations following the performance improvements. Faster processing times have streamlined daily operations, reduced workload for operational teams, and contributed to more predictable settlement flows, resulting in a smoother experience for both staff and end users.
The upgrade is particularly significant for fintech infrastructure providers and banking platforms integrating stablecoin settlement. In the broader context of fintech payment rails—where platforms like Codego enable fiat-to-stablecoin on-ramps and IBAN-to-crypto connectivity—faster blockchain confirmation times reduce settlement risk and operational friction. This directly benefits Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms and embedded finance solutions that leverage USDT for cross-border settlement.
Settlement Speed as Competitive Infrastructure
According to NOWPayments, enhancing transaction processing speed is part of the company's ongoing efforts to optimize infrastructure performance and support businesses that depend on stablecoins for daily operations. As stablecoin adoption continues to grow across digital commerce and financial services, settlement speed is becoming a defining factor in the usability and efficiency of crypto payment systems.
These performance benchmarks demonstrate how infrastructure optimization across multiple blockchain networks – including both BSC and Ethereum – can directly improve settlement efficiency for businesses handling frequent stablecoin transactions. Achieving consistent fivefold acceleration across multiple networks highlights the scalability and reliability of the payment infrastructure supporting stablecoin operations.
The NOWPayments announcement underscores a broader industry shift toward production-grade stablecoin infrastructure. As regulatory frameworks such as MiCAR (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) and PSD3 (Payment Services Directive 3) crystallize in Europe, stablecoin settlement infrastructure must support both speed and compliance. This upgrade positions NOWPayments' platform as a credible option for merchants, payment service providers, and institutions prioritizing settlement predictability.
Written by the Codego Press editor — independent banking and fintech journalism powered by Codego, European banking infrastructure provider since 2012.
Sources: Investing.com (Chainwire) · DL News · CryptoSlate · Crypto Economy · verified by editorial team