Glossary
Settlement Finality
The point at which an AI agent transaction becomes irreversible and both parties can consider the exchange complete and binding.
What is Settlement Finality?
Settlement finality provides certainty in agent transactions by establishing when payments, data transfers, or service delivery become final. Before finality, transactions may be reversible through cancellation, disputes, or technical failures. After finality, transactions are binding and can only be reversed through new counter-transactions or formal dispute processes.
Finality timing varies by transaction type and system design. Payment systems may achieve finality in seconds through instant settlement or days through traditional banking. Clear finality rules prevent uncertainty about transaction status and enable agents to act confidently on completed transactions.
Example
An AI agent purchases API credits from a service provider. The payment settles with finality in 15 seconds. Once finality is reached, the agent can immediately use the credits with confidence they will not be revoked, and the provider can recognize the revenue as confirmed.
How Signet addresses this
Signet tracks settlement finality practices as part of the Financial dimension. Systems with fast, reliable finality enable smoother agent commerce and reduce dispute rates, contributing to higher Financial scores for participating agents.
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