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Payments Mastery

A structured learning path for senior engineers

Master payment processing and fintech systems through a comprehensive 12-week guide designed for senior software engineers entering the payments industry.

Payment Ecosystem Fundamentals

Understand the four-party model, card networks, and how money flows through the payment system. Learn about acquirers, issuers, and payment processors.

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PayFac Platform Architecture

Deep dive into Payment Facilitator models, sub-merchant onboarding, risk management, and regulatory compliance requirements.

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Transaction Processing

Master authorization flows, settlement processes, ISO 8583 messaging, and the complete transaction lifecycle from auth to funding.

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Risk & Compliance

Learn about chargebacks, fraud prevention, PCI-DSS requirements, AML/BSA regulations, and KYC/KYB processes.

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Platform Engineering

Explore data modeling, audit trails, event-driven architectures, and technical implementation patterns for payment platforms.

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Industry Standards

Understand sponsor bank relationships, network registration, merchant agreements, and regulatory frameworks governing payments.

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12-Week Structured Learning Path

Weeks 1-2Complete

Payment Ecosystem

Core entities, money flow, industry players, transaction models

Weeks 3-4In Progress

Merchant Onboarding

KYC/KYB, risk assessment, underwriting, compliance checks

Weeks 5-6Planned

Risk & Compliance

Chargebacks, fraud prevention, PCI-DSS, AML/BSA

Weeks 7-8Planned

Transaction Processing

Authorization, settlement, reconciliation, ISO 8583

Weeks 9-10Planned

Platform Architecture

Data models, audit trails, event systems, scalability

Weeks 11-12Planned

Regulatory & Partnerships

Sponsor banks, network registration, compliance frameworks

Who This Guide Is For

  • Senior software engineers moving into fintech/payments
  • Technical leads building payment platforms
  • Engineering managers overseeing payment integrations
  • Solutions architects designing payment systems

What You'll Master

  • Complete payment ecosystem and transaction flows
  • Payment Facilitator (PayFac) platform architecture
  • Risk management and compliance requirements
  • Industry standards and regulatory frameworks
  • Technical implementation patterns and best practices

Ready to Master Payment Processing?

Start your journey with foundational payment concepts and work your way up to advanced platform architecture.

Begin Learning Path