Singapore also initiated Fast and Secure Transfers, called FAST, in March this year, and Australia is expected to launch 24/7 services in the second half of 2016. In the United States, the Federal Reserve has been playing an active role in enhancing payment services.
In September 2013, the Federal Reserve Banks released the paper in which they identified the establishment of a ubiquitous system for near real-time payments as one of desired outcomes. In recent years, more and more consumers are making purchases through the internet.