# Payouts

A `Payout` in Violet represents the movement of funds from a payment provider (like Stripe) to a connected Merchant's external bank account. It is the final step in the Violet payment lifecycle, following the creation of a `PaymentTransaction`, the allocation of funds through `Distributions`, and the internal routing of funds via `Transfers`.

## Funds Flow Timeline

The payment lifecycle has three distinct phases:

| Phase          | What Happens                                                                                         | Timing                                        |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Transfer**   | Violet creates a Stripe Transfer from your platform account to the merchant's Stripe Connect account | Immediate (\~30 sec after capture)            |
| **Settlement** | Stripe's pending → available clearing window                                                         | 2-3 business days                             |
| **Payout**     | Stripe moves available funds to the merchant's bank                                                  | Per payout cadence + 1-2 days bank processing |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important:** The transfer to the merchant's Stripe account happens immediately. The only waiting period is for card payment settlement before Stripe can pay out to the bank. See [Funds Flow & Payout Timing](/prism/payments/payouts/guides/funds-flow-timing.md) for a detailed breakdown.
{% endhint %}

## Getting Started

For merchants to receive Payouts, they must have a connected Prism Pay Account (PPA) set up. This account is created during the onboarding process and is essential for receiving funds from orders placed through your app.

#### [Prism Pay Account](/prism/payments/payouts/prism-payout-accounts/setting-up-a-payout-account.md)

Learn how Merchants set up a Prism Pay Account to receive payouts for Orders placed through your app.

#### [Supported Countries](/prism/payments/payment-settings/supported-countries.md)

Learn which countries are supported for payouts through Prism Pay based on your Payment Provider account.

#### [Payouts in the Payment Lifecycle](/prism/payments/payments-during-checkout.md)

Learn more about how Payouts are created and how they relate to Distributions, Transfers, Refunds, and Transfer Reversals.

#### [Export Payout Reports](https://github.com/violetio/docs/blob/main/channel-docs/prism/payments/payouts/broken-reference/README.md)

Export detailed Payout reports to analyze your financial data.


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