Which type of payment method is typically processed first during a transaction?

Cash payments are typically processed first during a transaction because they provide an immediate exchange of funds. When a customer pays with cash, the cashier can immediately verify the amount received and complete the transaction without waiting for any authorization process. This contrasts with other payment methods, such as credit cards and digital wallets, which require authorization from financial institutions and may take additional time to process. Gift cards generally also require verification or scanning before the transaction is finalized, similar to credit cards. Therefore, cash payments streamline the checkout process, making them the first method processed in most scenarios.