Glossary
Paymentpedia
Discover the intricacies of payments with Paymentpedia, our comprehensive glossary. Delve into key terms and concepts prevalent in the payment sector. With just a click, unlock insightful information and broaden your understanding of the dynamics of the payments landscape.
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3DS (3-D Secure)
An additional security layer for online card transactions.
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A2A (account-to-account)
A2A payments allow for money to be moved from one account to another, without the need for third-parties.
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Acquirer
A financial institution that authorizes and settles payments for merchants. (See also Merchant of Record)
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API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of programming tools that allows software to interact with other services or applications.
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APM (alternative payment method)
Refers to any form of payment that isn’t a major international credit card brand.
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ARN (Acquirer Reference Number)
A unique number assigned to a transaction during payment processing.
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Auth/Capture
A two-step authorization process for credit card payments:
- Authorization: verifies the cardholder's ability to pay and reserves the funds.
- Capture: confirms the transaction and collects the funds from the cardholder.
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BIN (Bank Identification Number)
The first six digits of the PAN, which identifies the issuing bank.
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BNPL (buy now pay later)
BNPL differentiates itself from installment loans by primarily offering zero-interest payment installments, without the need for a credit card.
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Card Networks (Card Schemes)
Organizations that set rules and provide infrastructure for processing card payments (e.g., Visa, Mastercard).
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Cardholder
The person who uses a credit or debit card to make a payment.
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Conversion Rate (CR)
The percentage of transactions successfully completed compared to the total number of transactions processed.
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Credit Card Payments
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Cross-border
A term describing payments made between entities in different countries, often involving currency exchange and additional regulatory or processing complexities.
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CVV (Card Verification Value)
A security code (usually 3 or 4 digits) on the back of the card used for online transactions.
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Descriptors
Text appearing on the cardholder's statement describing the transaction.
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Digital wallet/eWallet
Digital wallets allow users to instantly transfer funds through several linked routes. The user will transfer the funds from an existing bank account, or credit/debit card information must be uploaded to transact.
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Fallback
An alternative processing channel used if the primary channel experiences an error.
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FX (Foreign Exchange)
The rate at which one currency is converted to another.
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Gateway vs Processors
- Payment Gateway: Transfers transaction data to processors or acquirers.
- Payment Processor: Provides complete payment processing services, including data transfer, authorization, settlement, and fund collection.
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Installments
Prevalent in Latin America, installment credit refers to credit card-based small or micro-loans designed to purchase consumer goods.
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Interchange Fee (IC)
A fee paid between banks for the acceptance of card-based transactions, typically paid by the merchant’s bank (acquirer) to the cardholder’s bank (issuer).
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IPN (Instant Payment Notification)
A real-time notification sent after a transaction is complete.
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Issuer
The financial institution that issues a credit or debit card to a cardholder.
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KYC (Know Your Customer)
Regulations requiring businesses to verify the identity of their customers.
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Marketplace
An online platform where multiple vendors sell products or services.
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Mastercard
Mastercard is a leading financial services company providing payment processing and technology solutions globally. Through its extensive network, Mastercard facilitates secure electronic transactions using credit, debit, and prepaid cards, offering payment solutions that support both online and in-store purchases, as well as cross-border commerce and digital payment innovations.
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MCC (Merchant Category Codes)
Codes that classify businesses by industry type.
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Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)
A fee charged to merchants by acquiring banks for processing debit and credit card transactions. It is typically a percentage of the transaction amount.
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Merchant of Record (MoR)
The entity legally responsible for processing customer credit card transactions. dLocal acts as a local MoR in each market
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Message Authentication Code (MAC Code)
A Message Authentication Code (MAC) is a security feature used to authenticate messages and ensure data integrity during payment transactions.
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Mobile money
Mobile money is a local payment method prevalent in emerging markets. Users can deposit cash at registered agents, and send funds using an account linked to their mobile number without internet access.
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Nequi
Nequi is a digital wallet and financial services app in Colombia owned by Bancolombia. It provides users with an easy way to manage money, make payments, and transfer funds digitally, without needing a traditional bank account. Nequi’s features include peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, and a virtual debit card, making it a key player in Colombia’s growing digital finance ecosystem.
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NuPay
NuPay is a payment solution from Nubank, one of the largest digital banks in Latin America, focused primarily on Brazil. NuPay offers a seamless, one-click online payment experience, allowing Nubank customers to make secure purchases without needing to enter card details. By providing a smooth checkout option, NuPay is part of Nubank's efforts to streamline digital payments for its extensive user base.
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Oxxo
OXXO is a popular convenience store chain in Mexico that also serves as a payment point for various financial transactions. Through its extensive network of stores, OXXO allows customers to pay bills, make cash payments for online purchases, and even transfer funds. For many Mexicans without access to traditional banking, OXXO serves as a critical financial touchpoint, making digital and e-commerce purchases more accessible.
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PAN (Primary Account Number)
The main card number displayed on the front of the card.
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Payment Service Provider (PSP)
A third-party company that facilitates the processing of online payments for merchants, offering services like payment gateways, transaction processing, and security.
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Payment Split
The process of dividing a payment transaction into different amounts to be sent to multiple recipients, commonly used in marketplaces or platforms with multiple sellers.
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Payment Types
Different methods for making online payments (e.g., credit cards, bank transfers, cash tickets, eWallets, etc.).
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PISP (Payment Initiation Service Provider - ITP)
A third-party service provider that initiates payments directly from a consumer’s bank account with their consent, typically used in Open Banking frameworks.
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PIX
A real-time payment system developed by the Central Bank of Brazil, enabling instant bank transfers between individuals and businesses 24/7.
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Refunds and Chargebacks
- Refund: A credit issued to a customer by the merchant.
- Chargeback: A credit issued to a customer by their bank, typically due to unrecognized charges.
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Return Code
A return code provided by payment processors indicating the status or outcome of a payment transaction, such as success, failure, or rejection.
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RTP (real-time payment)
A payment method that links up and pulls money straight from a bank account and into a customer’s, in real time.
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Sale
A single-step transaction where the card is charged immediately.
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Save
Tokenization of cardholder information for recurring payments.
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Settlement Types
Different options payments are settled between dLocal and merchants:
- Cross-border: dLocal collects payments locally and settles in USD abroad.
- Local-to-local: dLocal collects and settles payments in the same local currency.
- FX@Transfer: dLocal collects payments locally, and converts to USD/EUR for settlement with the merchant.
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Smart chaining
Recover failed and rejected card payments with the alternative that better fits the transaction.
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Smart routing
AI-driven transaction routing to the best-converting processor.
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dLocal Specific Terms
Smartfields
Customizable payment fields hosted by dLocal but embedded in the merchant
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Sub-acquirer
A third-party entity that processes payments on behalf of a payment acquirer. It operates under the acquirer’s agreement and is responsible for processing transactions.
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Tokenization
Replacing sensitive data (like credit card numbers) with a secure token for future use.
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Verification / Zero Dollar Authorization
A method used to verify the validity of a payment card by performing an authorization request with a zero-dollar amount.
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Visa
Visa is a global payment technology company that enables secure, reliable, and fast electronic transactions through a network that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries. Visa offers payment solutions, including credit, debit, and prepaid cards, that facilitate everyday purchases and cross-border transactions worldwide.
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WeChat
WeChat is China’s leading social media and messaging app that also incorporates a powerful digital payment feature, WeChat Pay. WeChat Pay enables users to make peer-to-peer transfers, pay bills, and complete in-store and online purchases directly from the app. As a mobile wallet deeply integrated into daily life, WeChat Pay is pivotal in China’s cashless economy.
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