> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.atum.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is an Atum settlement?

> How settlements work on Atum's open payments network.

## Overview

A **settlement** is the actual movement of value that fulfills a payment initiator's request:

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    Request([User payment request]) --> Quote([You quote pricing]) --> Select([Quote is selected]) --> Settle([Selected agent settles])
```

A **settlement operator** is the party that provides the liquidity and executes that transfer. Settlement operators compete to fulfill each payment request, and specify the fees they will charge via *quotes*. The selected quote wins and settles the payment request.

Each settlement operator **runs independent from Atum**, bringing their own liquidity, setting their own pricing, and running their own credentials, controls, and software.

Atum provides the settlement infrastructure and network protocol, allowing settlement operators to focus purely on execution.

## Why settle on Atum?

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Focus on execution" icon="bullseye">
    Let Atum manage multi-rail settlement infrastructure, so you can focus on delivering value.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Activate idle liquidity" icon="coins">
    Put tokenized balances you already hold to work by fulfilling live payment demand and setting your own fees.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-rail reach" icon="network-wired">
    Reach settlement demand across every rail on the network — a single agent serves all supported chains and corridors.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Am I a settlement operator?

Organizations that hold tokenized liquidity and want to charge fees for settling payments typically operate a settler:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tokenized currency issuers" icon="building-columns">
    Facilitate widespread distribution of your token.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Market makers" icon="chart-line">
    Leverage existing multi-rail liquidity infrastructure.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Liquidity providers" icon="droplet">
    Put idle tokenized balances to work in settlements.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trading firms" icon="briefcase">
    Provide settlement services with existing multi-chain operations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  You don't have to be a settlement operator to use Atum. Payment initiators route requests to a network of independent operators — running your own agent is only for those who want to provide liquidity and charge fees for settlement.
</Note>

## Next steps

| Topic                              | Guide                                                                   |
| ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| The agent you run and how it works | [Operating a settler agent](/settle-payments/operating-a-settler-agent) |
| Deploy and run the agent           | [Integration guide](/settle-payments/integration-guide)                 |