The Four Settlement Patterns
1. Fiat → Fiat (Stablecoin Settlement Rail)
A business sends fiat, and the recipient receives fiat.2. Fiat → On-chain (On-ramp)
A business deposits fiat and delivers stablecoins to a customer’s wallet.3. On-chain → Fiat (Off-ramp)
A customer sends stablecoins from a blockchain wallet and receives fiat in a bank account.4. On-chain → On-chain (On-chain FX)
Stablecoins move between different stablecoins, different blockchains, or both.Settlement Speed
Settlement timing depends on the transaction type and corridor:| Transaction Type | Typical Settlement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-chain → On-chain (FX/bridging) | 1–5 minutes | Depends on source and destination chain confirmation times |
| Fiat → On-chain (On-ramp) | Minutes to same-day | Depends on fiat payment method and corridor; instant payment networks settle fastest |
| On-chain → Fiat (Off-ramp) | Same-day to T+1 | Depends on destination bank and corridor cut-off times |
| Fiat → Fiat (Stablecoin rail) | Same-day to T+1 | Combined on-ramp + settlement + off-ramp; fastest with instant payment networks |
One Endpoint, All Flows
All four settlement patterns are accessible through a single API call:POST /v1/transfers. Specify a source and a destination — Thiqwave determines the optimal path automatically:
- Fiat source + stablecoin destination → on-ramp
- Stablecoin source + fiat destination → off-ramp
- Stablecoin source + stablecoin destination (different chain) → bridge
- Stablecoin source + stablecoin destination (different token) → swap
- Fiat source + fiat destination → stablecoin-settled cross-border payment
Non-Custodial Architecture
Thiqwave never holds your funds unilaterally. All stablecoin settlement happens through non-custodial wallets:- MPC Wallets: Multi-Party Computation key shares mean no single entity can sign transactions
- Key Share Custody: Your business retains one key share; Thiqwave holds others but cannot move funds alone
- You Control the Wallet: For on-chain settlement, you can use your own wallet or a Thiqwave-managed non-custodial wallet
- No Lockup: Stablecoins are always accessible on-chain
Quote-Driven Pricing
Every transaction starts with a quote. No hidden spreads, no surprise fees.- Exchange rate (if FX involved)
- Fixed fees
- Destination amount
- 3-minute expiry window
Compliance Layer
Before moving any value:- KYB (Know Your Business): Required once per business before the first transaction
- KYT (Know Your Transaction): Real-time monitoring on every transaction—blockchain analysis, sanctions screening, risk flagging