Understanding Stripe Balances in Kayana Partner Admin
Last updated Dec 24, 2025
When you accept card payments through Kayana, the money you receive from customer transactions moves through three balance stages before it reaches your bank account. These stages are powered by Stripe in the background, but most users will only need to understand what each balance amount means inside their payouts screen.
This guide explains the three balance types you will see: Pending Amount, Available Amount, and Instant Available Balance.
To view your balances:
- Log in to Kayana Partner Admin using your business credentials.
- On the Dashboard, locate the Payout Overview section on the left-hand side of the page.
- At the top of the Payout Overview, select your Payment Service Provider (PSP) tab (for example: Stripe, RYFT, Adyen, etc.).
- The balances shown below will update based on the selected PSP.
⚠️ Important: Each PSP tab displays its own balance structure, so the labels and meanings may differ depending on whether you select Stripe or RYFT.
1. Pending Amount
What it means: The Pending Amount represents money received from customer payments that has not yet cleared the settlement process. This balance is still being processed by the payment network before becoming usable.
Key points:
- This money has been successfully charged to your customer, but it is not ready to withdraw.
- You cannot transfer this amount to your bank yet.
- You cannot issue refunds using this amount.
Example: On Monday, your restaurant takes payments totalling £200.00. These funds will show under Pending Amount until settlement is complete. After settlement, the same funds move into Available Amount.
2. Available Amount
What it means: The Available amount is the money that has completed settlement and is fully cleared for business use.
What you can do with it:
- Transfer it to your business bank account
- Use it to issue refunds
- Apply it toward Stripe fees (handled automatically)
Example: The £200.00 from Monday settles by Thursday. After card processing fees are deducted, you may see something like £180.00 now showing as Available Balance. This amount is ready for payout to your bank.
3. Instant Available Balance
What it means: Some Kayana accounts may have access to Instant Payouts. The Instant Available Balance represents an amount that Stripe has allowed you to access immediately, rather than waiting for the normal settlement cycle.
Key points:
- This amount may include part of your Pending Amount that Stripe approves for early access.
- Not all accounts will see Instant Available funds.
- Instant funds can usually be transferred to your bank within minutes (if enabled).
Example: Your restaurant receives £200.00 in new card payments today. Stripe may allow £50.00 to appear as Instant Available Balance. You can choose to withdraw this money instantly, even though the remaining £150.00 is still Pending.
Quick Comparison Table
| Balance Type | Meaning | When You Can Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Pending Amount ⏳ | Money received from customers, still settling | ❌ Not usable yet |
| Available Amount 💷 | Money that has finished settlement and cleared | ✅ Ready for payout or refunds |
| Instant Available Balance ⚡ | Money that Stripe allows immediate access to (if enabled) | 🟢 Usable instantly |
Why These Balances Matter for Kayana Businesses
Understanding these balance categories helps restaurants, takeaways, cafés, and hospitality businesses predict when money will reach their bank accounts.
- Pending shows what is on the way.
- Available shows what is ready to transfer.
- Instant Available shows what you can access early if needed.
This visibility supports cash-flow planning, payroll management, and purchasing decisions.
Next steps:
If you also use RYFT as a payment provider, read the guide to
Understanding Ryft Balances in Kayana Partner Admin
understand how different types of balances work for RYFT payouts.