Skip to main content

Payments Mastery

Welcome to Payments Mastery - a comprehensive 12-week structured learning path designed for senior software engineers entering the payment processing industry.

What You'll Learn​

This guide covers the complete payment ecosystem from fundamentals to advanced platform architecture:

  • Payment Ecosystem: Core models, industry players, and transaction flows
  • Merchant Onboarding: KYC/KYB processes, risk assessment, and compliance
  • Risk & Compliance: Chargebacks, fraud prevention, PCI-DSS, AML/BSA
  • Transaction Processing: Authorization flows, settlement, ISO 8583
  • Platform Architecture: Data modeling, audit trails, event-driven systems
  • Regulatory & Partnerships: Sponsor banks, network registration, compliance frameworks

Learning Path Structure​

Each module contains:

  • Overview: Module introduction and learning objectives
  • Core Concepts: Detailed explanations with diagrams
  • Industry Players: Current market landscape and major providers
  • Study Guide: Research topics, self-assessment questions, and resources

Target Audience​

This guide is designed for:

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

Prerequisites​

  • Understanding of API design and integration
  • Familiarity with web application architecture
  • Basic knowledge of databases and event-driven systems
  • Experience with regulatory compliance concepts (helpful but not required)

How to Use This Guide​

  1. Follow the modules sequentially - concepts build on each other
  2. Complete study guides - answer self-assessment questions
  3. Reference the glossary - 100+ payment industry terms defined
  4. Use ASCII/Mermaid diagrams - visualize complex flows
  5. Check resources - verify current data (rates, regulations, providers)

Current Status​

Module 1: Payment Ecosystem - ✅ Complete (11/12 topics)

Modules 2-6 - 📋 Study guides available, notes in progress

Getting Started​

The Payment Ecosystem module will cover the foundational four-party model and how money flows through the card networks.

Note: This is a living document. Payment industry regulations, network rules, and market dynamics change frequently. Always verify time-sensitive information against official sources.