Payment System Interdependencies

Architecture

Payment System Interdependencies, particularly within cryptocurrency, options, and derivatives markets, reveal a complex web of interconnected infrastructures. These interdependencies span across exchanges, custodians, clearinghouses, and payment rails, creating both opportunities and systemic vulnerabilities. Understanding the layered architecture—from on-chain protocols to off-chain settlement systems—is crucial for assessing contagion risk and designing robust risk management frameworks. The increasing prevalence of decentralized finance (DeFi) further complicates this landscape, introducing novel points of interaction and potential failure modes.