interfee

Interfee is a term used in some discussions of transaction pricing to refer to a fee charged by an intermediary or intermediary network to facilitate a multi-party or multi-step transaction. It is not a widely standardized concept and does not have a single, universally accepted definition. In practice, the meaning of interfee can vary by industry and context.

Etymology and scope. The word appears to be a portmanteau of “intermediary” and “fee,” or a prefix-based construction suggesting a fee for intermediation between parties, networks, or services. Because there is no formal industry-wide definition, the term is most often encountered in niche writings, white papers, or informal discussions rather than in official regulatory or accounting nomenclature. The idea behind interfee can overlap with established concepts such as intermediation fees, interconnection charges, or broker commissions.

Usage and interpretation. When used, interfee may denote charges for services that connect otherwise disjointed participants—such as payment processors, platform operators, logistics brokers, or telecom interconnects. Pricing models for such charges can include flat fees, percentage-based rates, tiered structures, or bundled costs within a broader service package. Given the lack of standardization, readers should rely on the specific definitions provided by a given source rather than assuming a universal meaning.

Relevance and considerations. Interfee highlights the role of intermediaries in enabling complex exchanges, but it also raises questions about transparency, pricing fairness, and regulatory oversight. As a relatively informal term, its practical implications depend on the precise contractual and industry context in which it is used.

See also: intermediation fee, interconnection charge, broker fee, intermediary.