Settlement-token issuing bank

Accepts local fiat, issues a fully 1:1-backed settlement claim, and redeems it at par. Holds the reserves and runs participant KYB.

What the issuing bank does

The issuer is the settlement node for its currency: it accepts local fiat into a correspondent account, issues a settlement claim fully backed 1:1, and redeems it at par. Reserves stay in its jurisdiction.

Accepts fiat and holds reserves

Receives local currency from a participant into its own account and holds it in reserve with 1:1 backing. The fiat never leaves the issuer's jurisdiction and stays under local currency control.

Issues the settlement claim

For the fiat received, it issues a settlement claim (mint) with 1:1 backing. This is a unit of account for settlement secured by the reserve, not a standalone monetary instrument.

Redeems at par

On the participant's request it redeems the settlement claim (burn) and returns fiat from the reserve at par. The 1:1 backing holds at every point in time.

Runs KYB and confirms reserves

Runs KYB and participant identification under its own AML and sanctions-screening procedures, and regularly confirms reserve coverage publicly (Proof of Reserve).

How issuance and redemption work

The issuer's working cycle: from fiat arriving in the correspondent account to funds returning from the reserve at redemption. The 1:1 backing is maintained at every step.

The diagram is illustrative and simplifies the actual flow.

1
Fiat arrives
The participant deposits local currency into the issuer's account after passing KYB. The funds enter the reserve backing the issuance.
2
1:1 issuance
The issuer issues a settlement claim for the fiat received with 1:1 backing and credits it to the participant.
3
Request for redemption
The participant returns the settlement claim to the issuer in order to receive fiat from the reserve at par.
4
Redemption and fiat return
The issuer redeems the claim and returns the matching amount of fiat from the reserve. The reserve decreases by exactly the redeemed amount.

FiatToken: two layers

The settlement token is described by a two-layer formula. Layer A is the base settlement claim against the issuer; Layer C is a regulated form where the jurisdiction provides for one.

Layer A — settlement claim

The base layer: a settlement claim against the issuer, backed by fiat 1:1 and redeemable at par under KYB/B2B. It is a unit of account for settlement within the participant network, not a publicly circulating monetary instrument.

Layer C — regulated form

The additional layer: a regulated form of the settlement token where the issuer's jurisdiction provides for one. Applicability and the precise legal characterisation are determined by local law and confirmed at onboarding.

This material is for information only and is not legal or investment advice. The instrument’s qualification is determined by the applicable law of the fund’s jurisdiction.

Revenue sources

The economics of the role are described qualitatively — the direction of revenue in words, without rates, fees, or percentages in figures.

Reserve placement

The main economics of the role — income from placing the accepted reserves within the limits permitted for the issuer in its jurisdiction.

Issuance fee

A fee for issuing the settlement claim when fiat arrives from a participant.

Redemption fee

A fee for buying back and redeeming the claim when fiat is returned to the participant at par.

Funds free in the cycle

Income on funds temporarily free between fiat arriving, the claim being issued, and its redemption.

The direction of revenue is shown qualitatively. Specific terms are agreed at partner onboarding.

Legal basis

What is required

A banking, EMI, or equivalent licence — or registration — in the issuer's jurisdiction. The issuer holds reserves with 1:1 backing and runs its own KYB, AML, and sanctions-screening procedures.

Division of responsibility

Surelle/4pay is a technology provider without a licence of its own. The licensed activity and regulatory responsibility rest with the resident issuer.

Classification

The precise legal classification of the settlement token is determined at KYB onboarding and depends on the issuer's jurisdiction.

This information is for reference only and is not legal or investment advice. The specific legal classification is determined at KYB onboarding and depends on the jurisdiction.