Distributors Overview

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What are Distributors?

Distributors are trusted intermediaries in the Universal Wallet ecosystem who facilitate cash-in and cash-out operations between the digital wallet system and physical cash. They act as human ATMs, allowing end users to convert physical cash into digital wallet balance and vice versa.

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Core Capabilities

Distributors have several key capabilities within the platform:

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1. Cash-In Operations

Distributors can accept physical cash from end users and credit the equivalent amount to their digital wallets. This is the primary way users add funds to their wallets.

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2. Cash-Out Operations

Distributors can fulfill withdrawal requests by providing physical cash to end users in exchange for debiting their wallet balance.

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3. Balance Management

Distributors maintain their own wallet balance, which must be sufficient to process cash-in operations. They need to regularly top up their balance to continue serving customers.

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4. Transaction History

Distributors can view and track all their operations, including timestamps, amounts, and end user details.

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5. API Integration

Distributors can programmatically interact with the platform using API keys, enabling automation and integration with external systems.

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Distributor Workflow

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Maker-Checker Pattern

All distributor operations follow a maker-checker approval pattern for enhanced security:

• Maker: Creates a new operation request (cash-in, cash-out, API key creation, etc.)
• Checker: Reviews and approves or rejects the request
• Segregation of Duties: The same user cannot be both maker and checker for the same operation

This dual-control mechanism prevents fraud and ensures accountability.

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API Access

Distributors can create API keys to:

• Query their balance programmatically
• View transaction history
• Create cash-in/cash-out operations via API
• Integrate with POS systems or custom applications

Each API key has granular permissions:

• Read Balance: Query the distributor’s wallet balance
• Read Transactions: View operation history
• Perform Operations: Create new cash-in/cash-out operations

API keys can also have restrictions:

• Transaction Limits: Maximum amount per transaction
• Daily Volume Limits: Maximum daily transaction volume
• IP Whitelisting: Restrict access to specific IP addresses
• Expiration: Keys automatically expire after a set period

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Security Features

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Multi-Level Authentication

• SMS verification for initial login
• TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) for 2FA
• Session management with secure tokens

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Access Control

• Role-based permissions (admin, maker, checker, viewer)
• Feature-level access control
• Audit trails for all operations

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API Security

• API keys with SHA-256 hashing
• Scoped permissions per key
• IP whitelisting support
• Rate limiting and usage tracking

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Use Cases

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Retail Stores

Retail shops can act as distributors, allowing customers to add funds to their wallets while shopping.

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Mobile Money Kiosks

Dedicated kiosks providing cash-in/cash-out services in high-traffic areas.

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Banking Correspondents

Traditional financial institutions can deploy distributors to extend their reach.

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Integration with POS Systems

Stores can integrate distributor functionality directly into their point-of-sale systems using the API.

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Next Steps