Embodiments enable a system operatively connected with a block chain distributed network to use the block chain distributed network for validation (i.e., authorization) of a payment transaction. The system receives a transaction record associated with a payment transaction, wherein the transaction record comprises transaction data indicating a payor, a payee and an amount; accesses a distributed ledger stored in the memory device, wherein the distributed ledger is updated based on communications from a block chain distributed network; and, using payment transaction logic, determines whether the transaction record represents a valid transaction by, e.g., communicate the transaction record to a validating node for validation of the transaction record. Once validated, the system (or validating node) communicates validation of the transaction record to the block chain distributed network, e.g., by updating the distributed ledger with information indicating validation of the transaction record and providing access to the distributed ledger to the network.