The Qatar Central Bank has enabled payment service providers to open central bank accounts and directly access the Qatar Real-Time Gross Settlement System (QA-RTGS). Direct participation allows providers to conduct settlement operations, including settling merchants’ dues, without an intermediary. SADAD Payment Solutions and Dibsy are the first providers to join the system. The change is intended to reduce operational costs for providers and merchants, shorten the payment cycle and accelerate transactions by reducing the number of parties involved. It also gives the central bank direct oversight of settlement operations. Additional payment service providers may join QA-RTGS subject to applicable requirements and procedures.