Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Non Bank Access To Payment Rails Continues to Grow
Apr 17, 2026 | NCFA Fintech Insight | Payments And Market Infrastructure
New PSP Entry DoBusiness.com Confirms Expanding Rail Access
On April 16, 2026, Payments Canada admitted DoBusiness.com as a payment service provider member, the latest non-bank company to gain a path to access Canada's core payment rails, including Lynx, ACSS, and the Real Time Rail.
Direct access to payment rails reduces reliance on sponsor banks, cuts transaction costs, and gives firms more control over how and when money moves. It allows payment providers to manage liquidity, route transactions, and design products without passing every step through an intermediary.
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Donna Kinoshita, Chief Payments Officer at Payments Canada:
“The inclusion of specialized enterprise SaaS providers alongside our existing members is a clear sign of the evolving payment landscape. As our membership continues to diversify, so do the perspectives that inform the future of Canada’s payment infrastructure, ensuring an inclusive payment ecosystem that gives Canadians more choices
Companies that meet the requirements can apply through Payments Canada's membership process and move toward participation in core payment infrastructure.
Access Shows Up In Cost And Execution
Payments often work through a sponsor bank, then through clearing, then settlement. Each step adds fees and delays. A firm with access can remove part of that chain.
Take a simple example. A fintech that relies on a sponsor bank may pay fees on each transaction, wait for batch processing, and rely on the bank’s timing and liquidity controls. Compare and contrast that with a company with direct or near direct access who can route payments without that extra layer, manage liquidity in its own systems, and process transactions closer to real time. The difference is found in unit cost structure, settlement speed, and how products are designed. For consumers and businesses, this typically means faster processing and in some cases lower fees.
This admission follows earlier PSP intake, including five firms added at the start of 2026, and lines up with ongoing Real Time Rail testing and onboarding work. More firms are positioning to operate inside the system, not just connect to it.
Outlook
As more companies gain a path to participate in core payment systems, the range of products built on top of those rails will expand. That includes real time payments, embedded payment experiences, and services that rely on immediate settlement and better control over funds.
The result is a payment system where more providers can compete on speed, cost, and reliability. It's that competition that will drive better outcomes for end user consumers and businesses.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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