Request Network

Request Network is a non-custodial, open-source payment protocol that enables businesses and individuals to send and receive cryptocurrency payments without relying on intermediaries. Originally launched via a token sale in October 2017 and moving to mainnet in March 2018, the protocol is governed by the Request Network Foundation and has grown to process over $1 billion in on-chain transaction volume across more than 3,000 companies.

Problem It Solves

Traditional crypto payment processors introduce custody risk: they hold user funds, creating legal exposure and potential for loss. They also impose high fees (up to 2.9%), restrict access based on jurisdiction, and require payers and receivers to use the same chain and stablecoin. Request Network addresses all of these friction points. It routes funds directly between wallets without ever taking custody, charges fees starting at 0.25%, operates globally without jurisdictional gatekeeping, and handles cross-chain token routing automatically.

Beyond simple payments, businesses using crypto for accounts payable and receivable face a reconciliation problem: verifying which invoice corresponds to which on-chain transfer. Request Network's protocol attaches payment context directly to transactions, enabling automatic reconciliation and creating an auditable, on-chain record of each payment request.

How It Works

The protocol operates across multiple layers. At the storage layer, Request uses IPFS for distributed, tamper-resistant storage of payment request data. Request Nodes batch transaction metadata and anchor it to the network. Smart contracts on supported blockchains handle actual payment execution.

At the user level, the flow is straightforward: a recipient sets their preferred settlement chain and stablecoin, then generates a payment link or invoice. The payer connects their wallet and pays in whichever stablecoin they hold — the protocol handles cross-chain swapping and routing automatically. Funds never pass through Request's infrastructure; they move directly from payer wallet to recipient wallet at all times.

Before payment execution, wallet addresses can optionally be screened against sanctions databases through a Know Your Transaction (KYT) integration powered by Merkle Science. This enables compliance-conscious businesses to screen counterparties without routing funds through a centralized custodian.

Key Features

Non-custodial architecture: No third party holds funds at any point in the payment flow. The protocol enforces direct wallet-to-wallet settlement as a design constraint, not a policy choice.

Cross-chain routing: Payments can originate from any supported chain and stablecoin and are automatically bridged and swapped to the recipient's preferred settlement currency, reaching approximately 95% of global stablecoin supply.

Recurring payments: Subscriptions and recurring billing are supported with a single authorization. The payment schedule is maintained on-chain and remains auditable without recurring user action.

Mass payouts: As of June 2026, one-click cross-chain mass payouts allow businesses to disburse funds to multiple recipients across multiple chains in a single operation.

Developer API: A REST API enables integration of Request Network payment flows into any application. A Secure Payment Page provides a hosted option for businesses that do not want to build a custom checkout.

Built-in compliance layer: Optional KYT screening at the source wallet level, without requiring custody transfer or data sharing with a payment processor.

Supported Assets and Chains

Request Network covers USDC and USDT across major EVM-compatible chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, Base, Optimism, and BNB Chain, plus Tron. The protocol supports over 25 blockchains in total. Solana is not among the currently documented supported chains; the architecture centers on EVM smart contracts and Tron, with multi-chain expansion announced for 2026 under a Meta Payment Network upgrade.

The REQ utility token is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, with a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens and approximately 844 million in circulating supply as of mid-2025.

REQ Token

REQ serves multiple functions within the protocol. Transaction fees charged in REQ act as an anti-spam mechanism. Token holders can participate in governance through the foundation's DAO structure. A deflationary token burn mechanism applies accumulated fees to reducing supply over time. REQ holders are also eligible for fee discounts on protocol usage and can stake tokens for network participation rewards.

Security

Request Network's smart contracts underpin a protocol that has processed over $1 billion in cumulative on-chain volume since 2018. The project was selected by Y Combinator and has operated in production for over six years, representing a track record of sustained deployment. Specific named audit reports were not identified in publicly available sources at the time of writing; developers and users should verify current audit status via the project's GitHub repository at github.com/RequestNetwork.

Team and Background

Request Network was co-founded in 2017 by Christophe Lassuyt and Etienne Tatur, who had previously built MONEYTIS together, a cross-border crypto remittance service. Both founders participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2017 cohort. Lassuyt serves as Co-Founder and CFO of the Request Network Foundation, while Tatur is Co-Founder and CTO. The project is headquartered in Paris, France and is structured as a community-owned foundation rather than a venture-backed company. The 2017 token sale raised approximately $33.6 million.

Lassuyt also serves as CEO of Request Finance, a product built on top of the Request Network protocol targeting enterprise invoicing and financial operations for Web3 organizations.

Ecosystem Positioning

Request Network targets businesses that need crypto-native payment infrastructure: Web3 protocols paying contributors, companies managing cross-border crypto payroll, iGaming platforms accepting stablecoin deposits, and enterprises migrating from centralized crypto payment processors. Documented users include Allora, 0Finance, and Blockscout. Through its Request Finance application layer, the protocol had processed over $254 million in on-chain invoices as of late 2025.

The protocol's non-custodial structure, multi-chain routing, and API-first design position it as foundational infrastructure for Web3 treasury operations. The foundation has announced plans to add support for two to three additional blockchains in 2026, alongside a Meta Payment Network upgrade enabling multi-chain invoice management within a single request.