# Joining Nexus as an SAP

### Eligibility to be an SAP in Nexus <a href="#toc163730736" id="toc163730736"></a>

An SAP in Nexus can be any licensed financial institution that is:

* eligible to participate in a local IPS (and therefore eligible to be a PSP)
* willing to adhere to the requirements as stated for SAPs in the Nexus Scheme Rulebook.

Participation criteria for PSPs in Nexus are defined by the local IPS Operator. The SAP must therefore first onboard with the IPS Operator as a PSP and sign the addendum to the local Scheme Rulebook, stipulating the Nexus requirements.

{% hint style="warning" %}
An SAP must have **direct membership of the IPS**; indirect, sponsored or technical access is not currently permitted. It is allowed to use a technical partner for connectivity.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
An SAP must be able to support real-time sanctions screening (if local regulations require the SAP to do sanctions screening).
{% endhint %}

### Joining the Nexus Scheme as an SAP <a href="#toc117254897" id="toc117254897"></a>

**Settlement Access Providers (SAPs) adhere to the Nexus scheme via the addendum in the IPS’s domestic scheme rulebook.** An entity must be an IPS Member (and therefore a PSP) before it can start acting as a SAP in Nexus. Therefore a SAP must first sign the addendum to the IPS’s domestic scheme, relating to its responsibilities as a PSP sending and receiving payments on behalf of its customers. This adherence process must be managed by the IPSO.


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