A data transaction processing system includes a quarantine system that delays messages configured to accept a delay before being processed by the data transaction processing system. During periods of heavy network traffic, the imposed delay reduces network congestion by distributing/load leveling messages according to available computing resources. Separating messages over time also reduces the processing latency of the data transaction processing system. Messages that are routed and delayed through the quarantine system may be executed at a better transactional value than other non-delayed messages.