# Astra

> Astra is the instant payments API for product teams and developers. Integrate once to move money across Visa Direct, Mastercard Send, ACH, RTP, and FedNow, with built-in compliance, fraud detection, and full payment lifecycle management. Unlike a payment gateway, Astra provides the security, operations, and orchestration out of the box, so teams can add instant disbursements, account funding, and accelerated bank transfers in weeks rather than months. Pricing is transparent, usage-based "cost plus."

## Core Products
- [Platform Overview](https://astrafi.com/platform-overview/): The full-stack instant payments platform, the rails it supports, and rules-based automations like sweeps, refills, roundups, and recurring transfers.
- [Instant Disbursements](https://astrafi.com/instant-disbursements/): Send funds from bank accounts directly to debit cards in real time, without settlement delays. Optional programmatic fees create a revenue stream.
- [Instant Account Funding](https://astrafi.com/instant-account-funding/): Let users fund new debit cards, brokerage accounts, and wallets with real-time settlement to grow deposits and cut onboarding friction.
- [Accelerated Bank Transfers](https://astrafi.com/accelerated-bank-transfers/): ACH rebuilt for speed and security, with same-day clearing, improved fraud detection, and higher transfer limits.
- [Payment Types](https://astrafi.com/payment-types/): The full set of rails Astra supports through one integration.

## Use Cases by Industry
- [For Banking](https://astrafi.com/for-banking/): Instant account funding and accelerated transfers for digital banking apps, to maximize deposits and reduce fraud.
- [For BaaS](https://astrafi.com/for-baas/): White-labeled instant transfers embedded into banking-as-a-service products, with compliance and operations handled by Astra.
- [For SaaS](https://astrafi.com/for-saas/): Add merchant payouts, earned wage access, and working capital to software products through one provider.
- [For Marketplaces](https://astrafi.com/for-marketplaces/): Pay sellers and creators instantly instead of on 30 or 60 day cycles, with optional per-transaction fees.
- [For Payroll](https://astrafi.com/for-payroll/): Earned wage access and real-time pay for temporary and part-time workers.
- [For Lending](https://astrafi.com/for-lending/): Disburse loans instantly and reduce default risk with automated, rules-based repayments.
- [For Investing](https://astrafi.com/for-investing/): Instant funding and withdrawals for trading accounts, with deposits, withdrawals, and peer-to-peer flows.
- [For Transport](https://astrafi.com/for-transport/): Pay drivers faster and accelerate invoice factoring for fleets and logistics companies.
- [For Web3](https://astrafi.com/for-crypto/): Instant fiat on- and off-ramps connecting crypto and stablecoin platforms to bank rails.

## Resources
- [Fold Case Study](https://astrafi.com/case-studies/fold/): How Fold grew deposits and activations using Astra's instant funding.
- [Why a Payment Gateway Won't Cut It for Platform Growth](https://astrafi.com/blog/a-payment-gateway-wont-cut-it-for-platform-growth-heres-why/): The case for a full-stack platform over a thin gateway.
- [Why Astra Saves You Time, Effort, and Engineering Resources](https://astrafi.com/blog/why-astra-saves-you-time-effort-and-engineering-resources/): The build-versus-buy argument for using Astra over in-house infrastructure.
- [The Multiplier Effect of Embedded Instant Payments](https://astrafi.com/blog/the-multiplier-effect-of-instant-payments/): How embedded instant payments drive growth for software businesses.
- [Stablecoins and Fiat Rails](https://astrafi.com/blog/the-success-of-stablecoins-will-be-unlocked-by-fiat-rails/): Why stablecoin adoption depends on connection to traditional fiat rails.

## Company
- [About](https://astrafi.com/about/): Astra's mission, team, and approach to instant payments.
- [Astra Raises $10M Series A](https://astrafi.com/blog/series-a-announcement/): Series A funding announcement on scaling the platform.
- [Careers](https://astrafi.com/careers/): Open roles at Astra.
- [Contact](https://astrafi.com/contact/): Get in touch with the Astra team.
- [Trust Center](https://trust.astrafi.com/): Security, compliance, and privacy posture.

## Optional
- [Developer Documentation](https://docs.astra.finance/reference/introduction/): API reference and integration guides.
- [Sitemap index](https://astrafi.com/wp-sitemap.xml): Full machine-readable list of all site URLs.