The following guide serve as starting point and summarizes the different relationships between the elements inside Cobre ecosystem and what can users or external systems do to operate Cobre's basics as a foundation to start usign our products.This guide will help you to understand the relationships that governs the behavior of Cobre's foundational elements, before delving into the actual products.
Two Ways to Interact with Cobre#
Cobre offers two flexible integration pathways to meet your specific operational needs:1. API Integration — System-to-System Automation#
The Cobre API enables direct, programmatic access to our payment infrastructure, allowing any external system to interact seamlessly with our services:Your company's internal applications — Embed payments directly into your product
Backend services — Build custom payment workflows and automation
ERP or accounting systems — Integrate financial operations end-to-end
Mobile applications — Enable on-the-go payment capabilities
2. Cobre Portal — Human-Driven Operations#
The Cobre Portal provides an intuitive web interface for teams who need direct, hands-on interaction with our services:Treasury teams — Request and receive payments manually
Finance operations — Manage configurations and settings
Operations staff — Execute transactions without technical knowledge
Which Option is Right for You?#
Choose API integration if you need:#
Custom payment flows tailored to your business logic
Automated, high-volume transaction processing
Embedded payments within your product or application
Complete control over user experience and workflows
Choose the Portal if you need:#
Quick implementation without development resources
Manual oversight and human approval processes
A ready-to-use solution for standard payment operations
Easy access for non-technical team members
Or use both:#
Many clients leverage the Portal for operations teams while simultaneously using the API for automated processes—giving you the best of both worlds.The large container Cobre Platform groups all major financial capabilities that Cobre exposes.Cross Border Money Movements
Reports & Reconciliation (indirectly represented)
3. Accounts — Managing Funds and Connected Bank Accounts#
The Accounts includes two major concepts:3.1 Cobre Balances#
Cobre Balances are digital ledgers in different currencies (COP, MXN, USD, PEN, CLP). They may serve as the origin or destination of money movements.Cobre Balances allows companies to manage their cash flows more efficiently and flexibly, without the limitations of traditional banking systems.By enabling a Cobre Balance, our clients gain access to all our financial solutions, whether for domestic payments or international payments.Designed as a “virtual pocket” that works 24/7, Cobre Balance allows you to:Initiate payouts and cross-border transfers
Receive payins (e.g., checkout, direct link, virtual CLABEs, keys)
Maintain full transaction history
Clients can create as many Cobre Balances as needed, and only COP and MXN Cobre Balances are available for Local Payments.
3.2 Connect Accounts#
These are external financial institution accounts the client links to Cobre.
Used for:Viewing bank transactions
Clients can connect as many bank accounts as needed. See Connect bank accounts with Cobre to learn more details about the product and banks available per region.
4. Counterparties#
A Counterparty is any person or bank account that participates in a money movement as the receiving or sending party. It represents the entity on the other side of your transaction within Cobre's payment flow.Understanding Counterparty Roles#
The counterparty's role and required information vary depending on the type of money movement:For PayOuts (Disbursements)#
The counterparty represents the beneficiary — the recipient who will receive the funds:Bank account details — Account number, bank code, account type
Beneficiary information — Full name, identification document, contact details
Purpose — Where your money is going and who is receiving it
Clients can create as many counterparties as needed.
For PayIns (Collections)#
The counterparty represents the payer — the person or entity who will send you the funds:Payer identification — Who is making the payment to you
Payment origin details — Source account or payment method information
Reference data — Link the incoming payment to your internal records (invoices, orders, etc.)
5. Local Money Movements — Domestic Transfers (MX & CO)#
At Cobre, Money Movements are the foundation on which all payment experiences are built. A Money Movement is any operation that involves the movement of money between two parties within the Cobre platform. The Local Money Movements represents all domestic transfers within a country. It may be a local fund deposit (PayIn), a payment to a third party (PayOut).Examples:#
ACH & Fast Pay payouts (Colombia)
R2P (Bancolombia, Nequi, PSE, Bre-B)
Local movements:#
Use a Cobre Balance or Counterparty as origin or destination
Require a Counterparty for payouts or payins
Generate Transactions, which affect Cobre Balances and Bank Accounts
Operate in local currencies only
6. Cross Border Money Movements — International Transfers#
Cross Border Money Movements enable you to send and receive international payments across multiple currencies with real-time exchange rates and transparent pricing.What It Allows#
With Cross Border payments, your business can:Move money globally — Send and receive funds in USD, COP, MXN, and other currencies
Lock in exchange rates — Get guaranteed rates through our quote system before executing transfers
Operate 24/7 — Process international payments without banking hours or FX window restrictions
Track in real-time — Monitor every transaction from quote to settlement with complete visibility
7. Transactions#
Every Money Movement—local or cross-border—produces one or more Transactions.
Transactions represent the actual financial debits and credits applied to:Connected Bank Accounts (Only Local Payments)
Each transaction contains key information such as the amount, the type of operation, the origin or destination of the funds, and the date it occurred.They are the core of accounts reconciliation and reporting.This is why the diagrams in previous sections shows Transactions → affect → Accounts and Bank Accounts.
8. How the Components Work Together#
The relationships presented so far explain how Cobre structures the full payment lifecycle:1
The Client App or an individual using the Portal initiates operations
Initiates Cross Border transfers
2
Local Money Movements interact with Accounts and Counterparties
Domestic payouts require counterparties
Money Movement statuses can be tracked until completion
Cobre Balances are debited or credited
3
Cross Border transfers interact with Cobre Balances
Movements between local and global balances
FX quotes define target or base amounts
Cross Border Money Movement statuses can be tracked until completion
Cobre Balances are debited or credited
4
Every flow generates information that can be later consulted
These power reporting, reconciliation, and operational visibility
External info can be linked to each movement for ease of reconciliation
9. Summary#
This guide provide details on how Cobre’s financial ecosystem operates as a unified ledger and money movement engine:Client applications or individuals using the Portal command operations
Accounts hold funds and connections to actual bank accounts
Counterparties enable payments to external recipients
Local and cross-border movements execute financial flows
Transactions capture every effect on balances
