# What is the timeline for FedNow?

The official [FedNow launched](/content/journal/fednow-launch/index.html) on July 20th, 2023. The journey to this launch included a series of key milestones: in April, [early adopters](https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20230315a.htm) completed a customer testing and certification program, followed by product validation activities with the Federal Reserve and certified participants in June.

The groundwork for FedNow began much earlier, with a pilot program initiated in January 2021 that involved over 110 banks and payment processors. With the Federal Reserve's extensive network of over 10,000 financial institutions, all eligible to hold accounts at Reserve Banks, the adoption of FedNow is expected to be rapid and widespread.

Technically, the rise of faster payments has been a long time coming, when you consider the (brief) history of domestic payments outlined below.

Play

Connie Theien, SVP at the Federal Reserve System, explains the differences between FedNow and other payment rails. [Watch the full conversation here](/content/resources/videos/countdown-to-fednow/index.html).

## Learn more

### What is FedNow?

FedNow is a new payment rail that enables faster bank payments for financial institutions of any size, in any community, 365 days of the year.

[Read more](/content/learn/what-is-fednow/index.html)

### Does FedNow use blockchain?

No, FedNow does not use blockchain technology and is not a blockchain payment rail.

[Read more](/content/questions/does-fednow-use-blockchain/index.html)

### Who can access FedNow?

Both businesses and consumers can access FedNow if their bank offers it.

[Read more](/content/questions/who-can-access-fednow/index.html)

### What are the benefits of FedNow?

One primary benefit of FedNow is that it will likely open up instant payment services to more financial institutions, including smaller, community banks.

[Read more](/content/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-fednow/index.html)

### What is the maximum amount for FedNow?

The maximum amount for a FedNow credit transfer will be $100,000.

[Read more](/content/questions/what-is-the-maximum-amount-for-fednow/index.html)

### How is FedNow different from RTP?

FedNow is different from RTP because they are each distinct payment rails.

[Read more](/content/questions/how-is-FedNow-different-from-RTP/index.html)