Bank transfers are slow. It is generally taken out of the account the next business day, sits in escrow for a few days, then appears in the destination account where it takes another day to clear. About a week total.

Though, if it gets held for suspected fraud or needs to cross international boundaries, it can sit in that escrow account for much longer.

[–] Badeendje 14 points 3 months ago

In the EU we use SEPA and transfers are instantaneous. Used it when buying something of our local ebay when at the person's house. Also most banks even have Venmo style payment systems.. scan qr of your bank, click on my banks icon, authorize, done.

Companies sit on cash simply for cashflow reasons. Keeping the money in your account for an additional x days means it can be used for other stuff.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago

Sounds like I should start holding my payments in escrow, just in case the publisher decides to shut down their game less than 2 weeks after taking my money. Got it!