Skip to main content
Chainrails supports two settlement modes optimized for different transaction sizes and use cases. The mode is automatically selected based on the transaction amount and available routes.

​
Settlement Types

​
Instant Settlement (Fast-Fill)

For smaller transfers, Chainrails uses prefunded liquidity to deliver funds on the destination chain immediately—typically within seconds.Key Features:
  • Available for: Transfers up to $5,000
  • Speed: Instant delivery in seconds
  • How it works: Funds are prefunded by Chainrails relayers and finalized asynchronously
This mode prioritizes speed while maintaining strong reliability guarantees. Funds arrive instantly while the underlying cross-chain settlement happens in the background.

​
Comparison

FeatureInstant SettlementStandard Settlement
Amount LimitUp to $5,000Above $5,000
SpeedSeconds2-30 minutes
MechanismPrefunded liquidityCanonical bridges
Risk ProfileLow (relayer-backed)Minimal (protocol-backed)

​
Why This Design?

Instant settlement relies on prefunded liquidity from Chainrails relayers. To ensure reliability and protect users from partial fills or failed transfers, we apply a conservative fast-fill limit.

​
This Approach Enables Us To:

Guarantee Instant Delivery

Provide instant settlement where it matters most—for everyday transactions and consumer payments

Avoid Over-Extension

Maintain healthy liquidity pools without over-extending capital across chains

Predictable Behavior

Ensure reliable and predictable payment experiences for all transaction sizes

Scale Safely

Grow settlement capacity sustainably as the network matures
As Chainrails scales and our relayer network becomes more efficiently decentralized, instant settlement limits will increase to serve larger transactions.

​
FAQ

Currently, Chainrails automatically optimizes for the fastest settlement mode available. For amounts under $5,000, instant settlement is always preferred when available.
If instant settlement isn’t available for any reason, your transaction will automatically fall back to standard settlement. You’ll be notified of the expected settlement time.
No, fees are calculated based on the underlying bridge costs not the settlement mode.
Yes! As our relayer network grows and becomes more decentralized, we plan to increase instant settlement limits to support larger transactions.