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Diagram showing the Terminal Authentication Key (TAK) concept

HSM & Security

What is TAK (Terminal Authentication Key)?

TAK stands for Terminal Authentication Key. It is the data encryption key used to generate and verify a Message Authentication Code (MAC) for data communication between a terminal and the acquirer within a local network.

Illustration of a money transfer being sent from one payment card to another

Credit Card

What Is a Card-to-Card Money Transfer?

Card-to-Card Money Transfer (CCMT) lets customers send money 24/7 from a credit, debit, or prepaid card to another card via ATM, internet banking, call center, or mobile app.

Example of a POS transaction receipt (slip)

Merchant & POS

Don't Dismiss the POS Receipt

In daily credit card purchases, the POS produces two receipts: the Customer Copy and the Merchant Copy. The cardholder gets the customer copy; the merchant keeps its own copy by law.

Diagram illustrating the EMV Tag-Length-Value (TLV) data structure used in card transactions

Online & Authorization

What are EMV Tags?

In EMV, data is stored in Tag-Length-Value (TLV) format, and it is carried between the card, the POS terminal, and the authorization system in this same format. This post lists every EMV Tag, its type, and its description.

Timeline of EMV version history

EMV

What are the EMV Versions?

The history of EMV versions is given below: EMV was standardized in 1995. EMV 3.0, released in 1996, was the first widely used version, commonly known as EMV '96. In 1998, additions were made to EMV 3.0.

Diagram illustrating the Remote Key Loading (RKL) process

ATM

What Is RKL (Remote Key Loading)?

RKL is the process of distributing a TMK (Terminal Master Key) to each terminal from a central point. It is used to remotely load keys onto POS and ATM devices, loading TMKs onto an ATM's keypad or activating them on a POS.

Diagram illustrating the properties and lifecycle of a tokenized card number as it moves through the payment network

HCE

What Are the Characteristics of a Tokenized Card Number?

A tokenized card number replaces a physical card number so transactions can be carried out securely. It is generated by the TSP (Token Service Provider), used by the cardholder or merchant, and travels across the payment systems network.

Diagram showing an authorized card transaction that expires before reaching the clearing file

Credit Card

What does it mean for a card transaction to expire?

Due to how payment systems work, authorization is obtained for a transaction first. For a Not Onus transaction (different card and POS banks), the system waits for it to arrive via the clearing incoming file. If it does not arrive within about a week, the transaction expires.

Diagram showing the pre-authorization closing process flow on a POS terminal

Merchant & POS

What Is Pre-Authorization Closing?

Pre-authorization closing turns a pre-authorized transaction into a financial one, posting it to the merchant and cardholder accounts. See how amounts and available limit are affected.

Diagram showing how pre-authorization blocks a card's available limit

Credit Card

Which Cards Can Be Used for Pre-Authorization?

Pre-authorization reduces the merchant's risk by blocking part of the card's limit for a set period. Since a credit card has a defined limit, an amount can be blocked against it. ATM cards and prepaid debit cards have no such limit to block.

ISO 8583 field 52 PIN data encrypted PIN block

ISO 8583

ISO 8583 Field Descriptions (F52)

DE 52 — Personal Identification Number (PIN) Data: the field that holds the PIN data. PIN verification is carried out based on this field.