Credit clearing

Three-party novation

One protocol for payments and for clearing. If A owes B and B owes C, the obligation is rewritten so A owes C. Helix leaves the chain.

MEMeridianHEHelixATAtlas404010

Step 1 / 5

Bilateral books

Routers accumulate debts by routing payments. Meridian owes Helix. Helix owes Atlas. Atlas already holds a smaller claim on Meridian.

Bilateral books

Meridian → Helix40 CLR
Helix → Atlas40 CLR
Meridian → Atlas10 CLR

After clearing, Helix is removed from 40 CLR of the cycle. Meridian’s remaining obligation to Atlas is 50 CLR.