3D Secure is an authentication protocol that adds an extra security layer to online card transactions by requiring cardholders to verify their identity through passwords, SMS codes, or biometrics.

SCA (Strong Customer Authentication) is a European regulatory requirement that mandates two-factor authentication for online payments, using two of three elements: knowledge, possession, or inherence.

Secure Remote Commerce (SRC) is a payment standard that enables consistent, secure checkout experiences across online and mobile platforms using tokenized payment credentials and biometric authentication.

Payment methods are the various ways customers can pay for goods and services, including credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, cash, and alternative options like BNPL.

An interchange fee is a fee paid by the merchant's bank to the cardholder's bank for each card transaction, set by card networks to compensate issuers for processing and risk.

PAN (Primary Account Number) is the unique identifier on payment cards, typically 14-19 digits long, that identifies the card issuer and cardholder account for transaction processing.

The payment lifecycle is the complete journey of a transaction from initiation to settlement, including authorization, capture, processing, clearing, and final fund transfer between parties.

Payment authorization is the process where a payment processor verifies that a customer has sufficient funds or credit available and approves or declines a transaction in real-time.

A payment service provider (PSP) is a third-party company that enables businesses to accept electronic payments by connecting merchants to payment networks, banks, and card schemes through a single integration.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security requirements designed to protect credit card data during processing, storage, and transmission by merchants and service providers.

A cross-border payment is an international money transfer where the sender and recipient are located in different countries, involving currency conversion and international banking networks.

A payment gateway is a secure technology that processes and authorizes online transactions by transmitting payment data between merchants, customers, and financial institutions.

P2P payments (peer-to-peer) are direct electronic transfers between individuals using mobile apps or online platforms, bypassing traditional banking intermediaries for instant money transfers.

A digital wallet is a secure electronic application that stores payment methods, personal information, and credentials, allowing users to make contactless transactions online and in-store without physical cards.

Transaction routing intelligently directs payments through the optimal processor or gateway based on factors like success rates, costs, and compliance requirements to maximize approval rates and minimize fees.

Payment routing is the process of directing transactions through the most optimal payment processor or gateway based on factors like cost, speed, and risk to maximize approval rates and minimize processing delays.

Payment orchestration acts as a unified conductor for complex payment ecosystems, seamlessly managing multiple gateways, methods, and currencies while enhancing security and compliance across global transactions.