# Core Concepts

## Zynta's core API concepts: 

* [Recipients](/api-reference/recipients.md) — The individuals or businesses receiving funds through Zynta. Each recipient goes through KYC/KYB verification and receives an auto-generated custodial wallet. Recipients must be in `APPROVED` status before they can be used in quotes or transfers.
  * There are two types:
    1. **Individual** — verified via government-issued ID (NIN, BVN, passport, etc.)
    2. **Business** — verified via business registration, director information, and corporate documents<br>
* [Quotes](/api-reference/quotes.md) — These represents a locked exchange rate for a specific source asset, destination currency, amount, and direction. Quotes include the rate, all fees, and the destination amount the recipient will receive.
  * Quotes have a time-limited validity window. Once you accept a quote by creating a transfer, the rate is guaranteed. Expired quotes must be re-requested. <br>
* [Transfers](/api-reference/transfers.md) — An executed payment moving funds from source to destination. Zynta supports two transfer directions:

  1. **Off-Ramp** (crypto to fiat) — user deposits crypto, recipient receives fiat in their bank account
  2. **On-Ramp** (fiat to crypto) — user deposits fiat, crypto is sent to a specified wallet address

  \
  Transfers progress through a lifecycle of states:

  * `QUOTE_LOCKED` → `PENDING_DEPOSIT` → `PROCESSING` → `COMPLETED`.
  * If something goes wrong, the state moves to `FAILED` or `EXPIRED`.<br>
* [Delivery rails](/coverage/country-requirements.md) — The payment method used to deliver fiat to the recipient.
  * Supported rails include:

| Rail            | Description                      | Regions    |
| --------------- | -------------------------------- | ---------- |
| `BANK_TRANSFER` | Local bank transfer (NIBSS, EFT) | Africa     |
| `ACH`           | Automated Clearing House         | US         |
| `WIRE`          | Wire transfer                    | US, Global |
| `SEPA`          | Single Euro Payments Area        | EU         |
| `SEPA_INSTANT`  | SEPA instant credit transfer     | EU         |
| `FPS`           | Faster Payments Service          | UK         |

* Idempotency — All <mark style="color:$success;">POST</mark> requests support idempotency via the `Idempotency-Key` header. If you retry a request with the same key, you receive the original response instead of creating a duplicate. Keys expire after 24 hours.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Always use idempotency keys for transfer creation to prevent duplicate payments.
{% endhint %}

* Environments — Zynta provides two environments:

  1. **Test** — mirrors production behaviour with simulated banking rails. Use it for integration and testing.
  2. **Live/Production** — processes **real money**. Requires completed KYB verification and a live API key.

  *API keys are prefixed to indicate their environment: `sk_test_...` for test, `sk_live_...` for production.*


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